By Lisa Schick

Distrust of promises stretches across continents

Feb 3, 2011 | 5:23 AM

As violence from Egypt flashes across the news, two Prince Albertans who lived in Egypt agree that Mubarak won’t keep his promises.

On Tuesday Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak announced he would not seek another term in office at the next elections in September, but that he would not step down until then either.

Protestors were not satisfied by this and they continue to call for his immediate resignation.

Prince Albert teacher Mohamed Daoud is from Egypt and said he doesn’t believe Mubarak will remove himself from the presidency, even when the time comes.

“I don’t believe that he is genuine and I think he is just trying to win time. I guess from now ‘till September he’s going to use that time to crack down on his opponents detain them, torture them, even make them disappear,” Daoud said.

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Amna Hamid, now a Prince Albert resident, agrees. She said Mubarak promised to step down from power many years ago and never did.

The day after Mubarak made his announcement protestors in the streets were met with pro-government groups and violence erupted.

“I think that was planned,” said Daoud, “(the government) are sending some thugs and some people who are pro the government to attack the people and to create chaos and then that will be an excuse for them to bring in the police and the security to crack down on the people.”

Hamid said she is very worried about the people of Egypt and Cairo, especially the friends and family she still has there. She said she is unable to watch the news because of the images of violence.

“I (had to) stop thinking, (I’m) so sad, (I’m) crying from mourning,” said Hamid, about the fighting.

While Hamid and Daoud agree on Mubarak’s promise being false, their opinions differ on how they believe the conflict will end.

Hamid believes to stop the violence and protests and for normal life to return, Mubarak will have to bow to the protestors’ demands and remove himself from office.

“To protect all these people, all the children, even the people at home they are not safe, they (don’t) have any food, (nothing) is open, the streets (are not safe),” she said.

“He (sees) all these people dying in the streets and they just want him to step out, so why (can’t he) do it.”

But Daoud doesn’t think Mubarak will give in that easily.

“These dictators they believe that they are entitled to govern people against their will, and forever, and they will do everything to stay in power,” said Daoud.

The people are running out of food, fuel and all sorts of basic commodities, Daoud thinks this will make the protestors give up before Mubarak does.

“People won’t be able to go on protesting forever. They will want the government to restore order at any cost, even if it means sacrificing their cause.”

For more on the situation in Egypt:
Egyptian clashes leave 3 dead, hundreds hurt

lschick@panow.com