WikiLeaks cables cast Hosni Mubarak as Egypt's ruler for life

Source: Guardian UK

US ambassador tells Hillary Clinton that president will win rigged election next year, his 30th in power

Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's long-serving president, is likely to seek re-election next year and will "inevitably" win a poll that will not be free and fair, the US ambassador to Cairo, Margaret Scobey, predicted in a secret cable to Hillary Clinton last year.

Scobey discussed Mubarak's quasi-dictatorial leadership style since he took power in 1981; his critical views of George Bush and American policy in the Middle East; and the highly uncertain prospects for a succession.

...

"He is a tried and true realist, innately cautious and conservative, and has little time for idealistic goals. Mubarak viewed President Bush as naive, controlled by subordinates and totally unprepared for dealing with post-Saddam Iraq, especially the rise of Iran's regional influence."

...

"On several occasions Mubarak has lamented the US invasion of Iraq and the downfall of Saddam. He routinely notes that Egypt did not like Saddam and does not mourn him, but at least he held the country together and countered Iran.

"Mubarak continues to state that in his view Iraq needs a 'tough, strong military officer who is fair' as leader. This telling observation, we believe, describes Mubarak's own view of himself."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/09/wikileaks-cables-hosni-mubarak-succession

...after he dies. Nothing. At least according to a piece I read a few weeks ago. As crazy as he is, at least Kim Jong-il moved Kim Jong-un (his son) into place in preparation for his death. If Mubarak doesn't do anything, his death will cause a power vacuum which could be filled by some pretty nashty people.

PB

I really hoped there would be a shitload of data dumped on hugo. I wonder if they are sand bagging it.

I am not following the releases. I glance at a couple each day but that is about it. I remember hearing about a release on Bolivia and some on Colombia, maybe some on Honduras. But I don't think that there have been that many about South America.

Hopefully the more liberal parts of the population is planning for his eventual demise.

Thanks for the news, wicked licks.

with their latest "dump".

The vast majority of it falls into the "this is news?" category.

Please Wikileaks, go back to uncovering real crime.

charged with anything?

:hi:

most DUers seem to be.

I have no idea if he's been charged or if he has what for. I heard that he's wanted in Sweden for some sort of sexual misconduct, the details seem to be a bit murky and under dispute.

But, putting aside Assange the man, I fully support what Wikileaks has done in the past. This latest batch seems a little lame to me. A "tempest in a teapot" so to speak.

I think the US gov't is overreacting and that sex-crime charges should most definitely NOT be used to punish him for his Wikileaks activities.

That's really all I have to say in the matter.

:hi:

...or something?

And they've been doing it a hell of a lot longer than we have.

Bupkis for the succeeding president.

Thanks for bringing our country into the sewer.