(Never Elected Dictator) Mubarak Hopes Iraqi Elections Go Ahead

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050109/ap_on_re_mi_ea/egypt_mubarak&cid=540&ncid=1473

CAIRO, Egypt - President Hosni Mubarak (news - web sites) expressed hope Saturday that Iraq (news - web sites)'s elections will be held on schedule but said all Iraqis need to participate to avoid further violence in the war-ravaged state.

However, Mubarak, this country's sole ruler since 1981, sidestepped questions on whether he would support constitutional changes to loosen his own grip on power.

His comments, made during an unprecedented telephone call to a popular talk show, come at a time of great political change in the Middle East, with Palestinian presidential polls on Sunday, Iraqi elections on Jan. 30 and a referendum on the Egyptian presidency in September.

"I hope the (Iraqi) elections are held on time, but with the participation of all (political) forces and (religious) sects," he said. "The fear is if one sect stays behind, this will lead to an escalation of violence and terrorism and we will remain in a vicious circle of killing and destruction."

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[rockymountaindem]

1. I thought he had some of those "elections"

where he was the only candidate. I could be wrong about that. But hey, he's a "moderate".

[NNN0LHI]

2. He has referendums just like Saddam did. No elections n/t

[JohnLocke]

3. Hosni Mubarak is of the same ilk as the Saudi royal family.

[daleo]

4. He is waiting to see how Bush' s vote rigging in Iraq goes

If all goes well, he might take the election plunge, with BFEE assistance.

[rpannier]

5. 23 Years of Martial Law

In it's 24th year.

[AlbizuX]

6. yeah...really...HYPOCRITE

If Iraqi elections are good in Iraq, they are good in Egypt.