EGYPT: Update for situation in Egypt...

Morsi Makes Concession to Opposition but Holds to Dec. 15 Referendum on Constitution

Posted on December 6, 2012 by willyloman 

(Most fake “alternative” sites mention his speech but portray it as some kind of Mubarak like ranting from a dictator and make no mention of his offer to have a dialog with the opposition. The main opposition leaders, just like the FSA and the so-called “rebels’ in Libya before them, have refused the offer already. They simply don’t want the people to have this constitution put to them for a vote. Meanwhile, as he was giving his speech, the opposition broke into the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters, attacked several workers there, and set it on fire. Morsi did say during his speech that actors from outside the country are paying people to destabilize the new country and prevent the constitution from being put to the people. Guess he has a point, doesn’t he?)

from the Wall Street Journal

Egypt’s leader made a tentative concession to his opponents, inviting them to join a national dialogue on Saturday aimed at resolving the crisis over his augmented powers, a day after a bruising street battle pitting Islamists against secularists left six dead and hundreds injured.

In an address to the nation, President Mohammed Morsi also said he would form a new assembly to write another constitution if the current draft is rejected in a national vote set for Dec. 15.

But the president made no offer to reschedule the referendum, as the opposition had demanded.

[read the rest, here]

“I call for a full, productive dialogue with all figures and heads of parties, revolutionary youth and senior legal figures to meet this Saturday,”

“I will meet with legal experts and opposition figures on Saturday at 12:30 [local time] at the presidential headquarters to come up with a solution to save the nation; some decisions will be discussed, such as maintaining the Shura Council [the upper, consultative house of Egypt's parliament].”

“We shall also discuss the post-referendum roadmap, whether the people reject or approve it .. If the constitution is rejected, I will see to it that a new constituent assembly is drawn up.”…

“Violence is not the solution, Wisdom, rationality, peace must be used to solve the current situation.”

“Investigations and confessions have shown that some of those arrested have connections to political forces. Other armed assailants were paid,”…

“Yesterday [Wednesday] was worse than Tuesday. Peaceful protesters were attacked by armed infiltrators … I offer my condolences to the families of all those martyred during the clashes,”…

“I separate the legitimate opposition from the vandals who committed violence,”…

“These people became rich through the ex-regime and are now spending their fortunes to burn our homeland,”…

“The ex-regime will not come back again, ever,”…

“The armed forces, and at the forefront of them the Republican Guard, will not be used as a tool to oppress the demonstrators,”…

“I am personally extremely concerned about the safety of every Egyptian citizen, and that the clashes that happened around the presidential palace yesterday not be repeated,”