FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, over the last week, I have watched the affairs in Tahrir Square in Cairo, as millions of Americans have, and I was deeply impressed by the peaceful demonstration of Egyptian citizens calling for change in their nation--change that would respond to the economic plight of ordinary citizens, change that would give ordinary citizens the opportunity to be a part of the voice directing the course of their nation.
Until yesterday, those protests were absolutely peaceful. But that did change yesterday when pro-Mubarak forces entered the fray. Last night, I was watching as Molotov cocktails were being thrown by pro-Mubarak forces down from adjacent buildings onto the protesters below. I watched as organized thugs proceeded to stone those protesters. I watched as there was sporadic gunfire in the square. I watched as a group of horsemen galloped through the crowd whipping people with their whips.
This thuggery against citizens who were peacefully protesting is absolutely unacceptable. The United States has had a long and close relationship with Egypt. We channel a tremendous amount of economic development aid to Egypt. But let me be very clear. What happened yesterday cannot happen again. What happened yesterday, with thugs attacking peaceful demonstrators on behalf of the government must not happen again.
In no way can America turn a blind eye to this ruthless assault on ordinary citizens. This morning, there were voices from within the Egyptian Government calling what happened yesterday a fatal error. Prime Minister Shafik called it a fatal error. This morning, there were signs that the army, instead of allowing and organizing thugs and allowing them on the square to assault the demonstrators, was standing in to protect them. This is a right turn of events.
Let it be noted by all who would care to listen that the citizens of the United States of America are not going to stand by and support a government that is attacking peaceful demonstrators in a square in Cairo. If we see a repeat of this violence, America must send a very strong message that there will be no further aid to the Mubarak government.
We do not know what the ultimate outcome of these protests will be, but peaceful action against government is a hallmark of democracy, a hallmark of freedom. We should ensure that those protests could continue--those peaceful protests--calling for a voice for ordinary citizens, and that Egypt can move toward free and fair elections.
I yield the floor.
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