Crackdown in Egypt Widens to Foreign Observers

[WestVirginiaRebel]

NY Times:

CAIRO — The Egyptian government broadened its crackdown of a 10-day uprising that has shaken its rule Thursday, arresting journalists and human rights activists, while offering more concessions in a bid to win support from a population growing frustrated with a reeling economy and scenes of chaos in the streets.

With fighting between pro- and antigovernment forces escalating throughout the day, supporters of President Hosni Mubarak attacked foreign journalists, punching them and smashing their equipment, and shut down news media outlets that had operated in buildings overlooking Tahrir Square, which has become the epicenter of the uprising.

In interviews and statements, the government increasingly spread an image that foreigners were inciting the uprising that has prompted tens of thousands to take to the streets to demand the end of Mr. Mubarak’s three decades in power. The suggestions are part of a days-long Egyptian news media campaign that has portrayed the protesters as troublemakers and ignored the scope of an uprising that has captivated the Arab world.

“Millions turn out to support Mubarak,” read a banner headline Thursday on the front page of Al-Ahram, the leading government newspaper.

In an interview with Christiane Amanpour of ABC News, Mr. Mubarak said that he regretted the violence in Tahrir Square and that he was “fed up” with being president but that he could not step down for fear of sowing chaos in the country. With his son, Gamal, sitting by his side, he refrained from criticizing President Obama, but said he had told the president that “you don’t understand the Egyptian culture and what would happen if I step down now.”
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That interview can be found here. While he may be right about leaving too quickly, he's not helping himself by sending his thugs after reporters.

[pollyannaish]

I haven't read this whole thing...but do we know for sure it's the government cracking down on this? Or is that misinformation spread by other invested parties?

 

Medved had a GREAT interview with Ralph Peters yesterday that offered a different perspective than I had heard. He expressed great faith in the Egyptian Military's moderation. Is that misplaced?