Cliff Stearns Ponders Events in Egypt

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns weighed in on international events on Saturday, praising recent developments in Tunisia and in Egypt.

In Tunisia and now in Egypt, people aspiring for freedom have forced out their dictators, and empowered by the freedom of the Internet and other sources, they are liberating themselves from decades of repression, said Stearns. In this age of information, people can express their ideas and organize their actions, creating a powerful force for change. We are witnesses to the fact that a yearning for freedom and justice is a global objective.

Stearns called for the U.S. to help Egypt as it sought to change its government.

It is important to remember that a functioning democracy is more than elections; it also entails a free press, allowing opposition political movements, and extending equal treatment to all, said Stearns. The United States should make every effort to assist the Egyptian people in developing a vibrant democracy, one that respects the rights of all of its citizens and that is committed to peace.

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