There’s no use ducking responsibility or making excuses to delay the realization of the revolution’s demands. The Egyptian revolutionaries have vision, ability and legitimacy. They saved Egypt from the threat of a hereditary power transfer and a complete breakdown of social order.The demands of the protesters, who are currently gathered in several major squares around Egypt, are as follows:1) Dissolving the “counter-revolutionary” government, some of whose ministers were members of the National Democratic Party’s Policies Secretariat, including Prime Minister Essam Sharaf who was appointed as minister of transportation by Gamal Mubarak and was an obedient follower of former Chief of Presidential Staff Zakaria Azmy.Deputy Prime Minister Yehia al-Gamal was nominated by former parliamentary speaker Fathi Sorour (currently in detention) who suggested his name to former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq.The revolutionaries themselves should select a government of competent, patriotic figures who are capable of leading the transitional period.2) An immediate transfer of power to civilians through the formation of a presidential council — composed of either three members (two civilians and one military) or five members (three civilians and two military) — to run the affairs of the country until parliamentary elections are held. This council should be chosen democratically and may include senior judges and presidential hopefuls.3) If there is no agreement on the composition of a presidential council, it can be replaced with a council of advisors that brings together a select group of credible public figures. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) should consult these advisers in all its decisions. The council should work in coordination with the new prime minister and should hold an on-going dialogue with the revolutionaries.4) Continuing the purges of all corrupt figures affiliated the old regime from state institutions and depriving them of political participation in the future. This would mean:- The swift implementation of the ruling that ordered the dissolution of municipalities and the creation of a temporary alternative.- The dissolution of the state-run Egyptian Federation of Trade Unions and allowing for a new independent federation that genuinely represents workers.- Removing media elements who for years have helped misinform the public. The election (rather than appointment) of all university presidents and deans and the heads of monitoring authorities.5) Concrete steps for the improvement of social and economic conditions, including the formation of a fund to support the national economy. This fund should be managed by well-respected public figures — Mohamed ElBaradei, Ahmed Zewail, Magdi Yacoub — who can address other governments, institutions, and expatriate Egyptians and non-Egyptians to give non-redeemable grants to Egypt.A local fund should also be established to reach a financial settlement with businessmen who received state land at low prices. These sales should be reevaluated and the price differential used to finance medium and small projects.A national project should be launched to reclaim two million feddans in the desert. Small farmers should be given five feddans each and should have a union to manage their affairs.6) Public trials for officers and officials involved in the killing of protesters during the revolution, most importantly the ousted president Hosni Mubarak (whose vice president, Omar Suleiman, confirmed that he gave clear orders to shoot at protesters).7) An end to all military trials for civilians and a repeal of the law criminalizing protests. The police apparatus should also be quickly purged of corrupt police officers.Translated from the Arabic Edition.
