CAIRO: Presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei in a TV interview Thursday criticized a newly-formed advisory council comprising 30 public figures appointed by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF).
“This just proves how unclear our vision and policies are, how we neither understand democracy nor know how to work as a team,” said ElBaradei in a show hosted by the editor-in-chief of independent daily Al-Masry Al-Youm Magdy El-Gallad.
He added that along with representatives of the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, he refused to join the new-fangled council because its role will conflict with that of the upcoming parliament.
ElBaradei confirmed news reports that he requested a meeting with SCAF generals after the deadly clashes between protesters security late November, which left over 40 dead and hundreds injured.
During this meeting, ElBaradei expressed the need to appoint a national salvation government representing the various political currents.
“When I learnt that protesters in Tahrir nominated me to head a salvation government I refused because I care about my country. This would have meant that there would be two governments [one appointed by the street and another by SACF] which would seem as if I was heading a coup against the military council,” he said.
He recounted that the army council had expressed that political groups did not reach consensus over his nomination for the post of Prime Minister, which is why he was eliminated.
ElBaradei also said that the political ball is in the Muslim Brotherhood’s court. The Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party won majority of seats in the first phase of Egypt’s lower house of parliament elections.
“They should coordinate with others even before parliament is in session to discuss the constitution. We all agree that Article 2 [stating that the principle source of legislation is Islamic jurisprudence] should remain in the constitution while protecting the rights of non-Muslims, we all want a state system that is a mix between a presidential and parliamentary system as is the case in France and we also understand that the army has reservations and that [their position] in a democratic system is different from that of an autocratic system, but this can be agreed on through dialogue,” said ElBaradei, while stressing the importance of including the ultra-conservative Salafis in that dialogue.
In response to Gallad’s question regarding ElBaradei’s ability to deal with Islamist movements, he said that they are “not a bogeyman” but that he hopes that more parties would represent more the moderate currents.
“Since February [when Mubarak stepped down] we have been divided and broke the country down. I think it’s time we review our causes and move forward,” ElBaradei said.
ElBaradei has been a vocal critic of SCAF’s, which accuses of mismanaging the transition to democracy.
During the interview, however, ElBaradei recalled comments on Twitter that prove how he was initially overjoyed that SCAF had taken over the country. However, he said that ever since that time and Egypt has been falling apart because the generals have no experience in dealing with civilian issues.
“Let’s fear God while running this country,” he said. “It’s inhumane what happened to Samira [a young protester who was subjected to a virginity test while in military detention], it’s totally inhuman when 40 people die on Mohamed Mahmoud Street and then they claim that they didn’t fire one rubber bullet.”
ElBaradei concluded by calling on SCAF to put an end to military trials and implement a treachery law that will exclude former members of the disbanded National Democratic Party from political participation.
