ID :
158940
Fri, 02/04/2011 - 18:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/158940
The shortlink copeid
Japan seeks 'realistic' approach for Egyptian power transition
TOKYO, Feb. 4 Kyodo - Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara on Friday urged the Egyptian government, army, security authorities and antigovernment protesters to ''calmly'' respond to the situation in their country and take a ''realistic'' approach in realizing the transition to a democratic government.
Ahead of major antigovernment demonstrations across the nation scheduled for Friday, the Islamic day of prayer, to force Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak out, Maehara expressed Japan's ''serious concern'' over the unrest and called for a system to select a new leader that would ''fully convince Egyptian people.''
He warned at a press conference against possible chaos in the event of the ouster of Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for the past 30 years, and called for a dialogue among those concerned to establish a peaceful, democratic and stable government.
Maehara also said that of 104 Japanese tourists who are staying in Egypt, 103 will leave the country by Sunday. The remaining one has been hospitalized in Cairo.
He added that about 210 of the remaining 610 Japanese nationals living in Egypt plan to temporarily leave the country.
Meanwhile, representatives of Egyptians who live in Japan said at a press conference in Tokyo that they demand ''fundamental freedom, democracy and respect for human rights'' and called for ''the eradication of poverty, unemployment, corruption, illiteracy, bribery and nepotism'' in their home country.
Ahmed El Kholy, an Egyptian business executive in Japan, said at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan that expatriates ''call for free and fair parliamentary elections reflecting the aspirations and hopes of the Egyptian people towards a better future.''
Walid Haggag, press counselor at the Egyptian Embassy in Japan, who attended the news conference, said the Egyptian government has tried to respond to demands of antigovernment demonstrators to amend the Constitution and conduct a more open presidential election.
''We pledge never to use force against the demonstrators. The army will never be asked to use force,'' he said, adding the Egyptian government hopes to begin a dialogue with people.
As for calls for the departure of Mubarak, Haggag said, ''People do indeed want him to leave now, but others do not want him to leave now. The important point is to have a rational discussion to arrange an orderly transition of power in a constitutionally acceptable manner.''
Ahead of major antigovernment demonstrations across the nation scheduled for Friday, the Islamic day of prayer, to force Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak out, Maehara expressed Japan's ''serious concern'' over the unrest and called for a system to select a new leader that would ''fully convince Egyptian people.''
He warned at a press conference against possible chaos in the event of the ouster of Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for the past 30 years, and called for a dialogue among those concerned to establish a peaceful, democratic and stable government.
Maehara also said that of 104 Japanese tourists who are staying in Egypt, 103 will leave the country by Sunday. The remaining one has been hospitalized in Cairo.
He added that about 210 of the remaining 610 Japanese nationals living in Egypt plan to temporarily leave the country.
Meanwhile, representatives of Egyptians who live in Japan said at a press conference in Tokyo that they demand ''fundamental freedom, democracy and respect for human rights'' and called for ''the eradication of poverty, unemployment, corruption, illiteracy, bribery and nepotism'' in their home country.
Ahmed El Kholy, an Egyptian business executive in Japan, said at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan that expatriates ''call for free and fair parliamentary elections reflecting the aspirations and hopes of the Egyptian people towards a better future.''
Walid Haggag, press counselor at the Egyptian Embassy in Japan, who attended the news conference, said the Egyptian government has tried to respond to demands of antigovernment demonstrators to amend the Constitution and conduct a more open presidential election.
''We pledge never to use force against the demonstrators. The army will never be asked to use force,'' he said, adding the Egyptian government hopes to begin a dialogue with people.
As for calls for the departure of Mubarak, Haggag said, ''People do indeed want him to leave now, but others do not want him to leave now. The important point is to have a rational discussion to arrange an orderly transition of power in a constitutionally acceptable manner.''
