Hesitant Egyptian Generals are Shackled by People Power

In Tahrir Square people have been disappointed by the position of the military generals who are still trying to hold the stick from the middle between Mubarak and the Egyptian people. Their televised first meeting, which did not include their Commander in Chief Mubarak, and Statement 1, which did not mention the president, gave the impression that the generals understand the sentiment of the people and have decided to topple Mubarak. Then the military waited 12 hours to ponder their position following the disappointing speeches of Mubarak and his VP. The generals issued Statement 2 on behalf of the High Council of the Armed Forces, announcing that they will move to secure the transition to a new government in accordance with the directions of Mubarak. But they also attempted to appease the demonstrator's feelings by suggesting that the military sympathizes with their legimate demand of free, democratic government. Yet the only action they took is to continue the meeting while calling people to return back to normal life.

Like Mubarak, the generals were too slow for the pace of the revolutionaries. They do not seem to understand (or appreciate) the transfomation that has occurred in Egypt. Egyptian demonstration leaders in different parts of the country are telling Al-Jazeera that Egyptian society has been reborn. Egyptians discovered they could do without government control institutions. When the police pulled out of the streets, people formed local committees to police their own neighborhoods. Egyptian food markets are operating and the prices have not changed without the watch of government inspectors. People are realizing that private markets and the public functions that they control over can operate, without the oppressive, corrupt and bankrupt regime.

The government closed the banks and the stock market; demonstrators tell al-Jazeera that there is no reason why these institutions should be closed and that they would be willing to protect them, just as they rushed to protect the Egyptian Museum before military tanks arrived to the scene. Egyptians striking in factories and other institutions could go right back to work whenever they choose--bar any subbotage by the regime. The loss of tourism is transient and is understandable given the current instability. But tourists did not go to Egypt to make a statement of support to Mubarak; they went there because of the wonderful tourist attractions that Egypt has. Egypt should become even more attractive for tourists when it becomes free. Egyptians tell reporters that they are not bothered by the current losses; they are willing to sacrifice for the long haul until their revolt succeeds.

While parts of Egyptian life have come to a standstill for 18 days and the intial uprising has turned into a full-fleged revolt, the generals are jockeying for their place in the future. The generals do not understand the dynamics of people power. The collective will of the Egyptians is now focused on removing what they see as a dictatorial regime. Appeasing the regime means going down with it. The generals watched while the Mubarak baltagiah threw fire balls on peaceful protesters. The generals stayed put when the police abandoned their responsibility for internal security--except for guarding major national institutions. And now they are using Statement 2 to position their institution for a place in the new Egypt as a guarantor of stability and legitimacy. They are probably thinking of the Turkish model. What is missing is the relevance of this thinking to positioning the military in the unfolding events and emotions on the streets of Egypt. People are losing trust in them. People are wondering, if the preservation of the nation calls for the steps the generals outlined, why do not they proceed? Why do they act like Sulieman, throwing the ball in the revolution's court?

There is war in the country between the people and their top political leaders. Outside Cairo, demonstrators have taken over state buildings, liberating their own country and forcing Mubarak governers out in Asyut and Tanta. In Cairo, people are going out spontaneously in millions calling Mubarak murderer, untrustworthy, and corrupt. People's anger was so visible when protesters realized in the middle of Mubarak's speech yesterday (Feberuary 10, 2011) that he was not stepping down and began chanting angry revolutionary slogans. If Statement 3 does not realign the emotions of the generals with those of the Egyptians, the top brass may go down with Mubarak and the military will likely become separate from and subservient to the civilian government of the New Egypt.This is what many protesters want anyway. They might have their wish.