The Egyptian Army Saturday decided unilaterally that it would limit the rights of the new President, whoever he might be, and that it would control the budget as well.
Under the generals’ decree, Egypt’s president will have no control over the military’s budget or leadership and will not be authorized to declare war without the consent of the ruling generals.
The document said the military would soon name a group of Egyptians to draft a new constitution, which would be subject to a public referendum within three months. Once a new charter is in place, a parliamentary election would be held to replace the Islamist-dominated lower house that was dissolved after the country’s high court ruled that one-third of the chamber’s members had been elected unlawfully.
And if you believe that the Army really will do that, I’ve got swampland in Florida for you.
This was a bloodless coup, and I hope the people who rose up so bravely in Tahrir Square last year can muster the courage to do it again.
The United States said it was “deeply concerned” (the Pentagon) and “particularly concerned” (the State Department) by the Army’s actions. That’s nice. Why not suggest to the Army that if it wants the military aid we’ve been giving it for 20-something years it will reverse its decree and let the democracy movement continue?
I wish I thought the U.S. had the cojones to do that, but they don’t.
I wonder how long it will take the Egyptians, who are justifiably tired of the chaos, to decide that it’s time for another round in Tahrir Square. If they let this stand, it’ll be another generation.