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U.S. pushes for government, opposition to begin negotiations in Egypt 2011

احدث اجدد واروع واجمل واشيك U.S. pushes for government, opposition to begin negotiations in Egypt 2011

(CNN) -- The United States is stepping up pressure on the opposition to begin immediate negotiations with the Egyptian government, recognizing the orderly transition to democracy President Barack Obama called for could prove difficult if President Hosni Mubarak stepped down immediately.

"We can't dictate what an orderly transition means, but it's time for both of them to roll up their sleeves," one senior State Department official said. "The government has to take some steps, but the opposition has to be willing to participate in negotiations as well."

Vice President Omar Suleiman made some "important statements" about a political dialogue, the senior official said, but added the Egyptian government should allow the opposition to table its own ideas, rather than dictate the pace and scope of a transformation to democracy.

The urgent call to begin talks comes as the Egyptian government pushed back on what it called "vague" statements from the Obama administration about the pace of transition.

One Egyptian government official told CNN the U.S. has shown support for its "roadmap" for transitioning to democracy by the end of Mubarak's term in September, but said Obama's call for an "orderly transition" are at odds with his call for an immediate one.

The official said Mubarak is being seen as a "receding figure" in Egyptian politics, but deposing him immediately would lead to a murky political process, which would prevent the free and fair elections the protesters are calling for. According to the Egyptian constitution, the presidency would be transferred to the speaker of the parliament if Mubarak leaves power without enacting certain legislative and constitutional reforms.

"Institutionally, there is support in Egypt for this roadmap among the military, vice president and prime minister," the official said. "The bureaucracy thinks it has a degree of legitimacy and if the objective continues to be deposing the president now, they clearly don't understand the advantage that this roadmap will create a constitutional and administrative voice to the transition and is not going to lead to confusion."

U.S. officials describe an opposition that is not altogether unified on whether to begin a dialogue with the government. Some, like former foreign minster and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, believe concessions made by Mubarak presented an opportunity to build upon; members of the Muslim Brotherhood have insisted no talks should take place until Mubarak steps down.

"There are some people who see what is required to hold the type of elections they want to hold, they are looking at the administrative questions that have to be answered, and realize that will take a bit of time," the senior State Department official said. "They are focusing on elections and transformation of the system, rather than on Mubarak."

U.S. officials believe Friday's protests will be an important barometer on whether serious negotiations can take place and said the U.S. has urged the government to ensure protesters can demonstrate peacefully.

"It's hard to imagine if there is a day of very bad violence it will lead to the type of dialogue that needs to take place," the senior State Department official said.

The Egyptian official said conversations with Washington suggest the U.S. understands this process, but public statements from Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and a U.S. government spokesman have sent mixed messages.

"We understand the need to be vague and play to the street, but this is hardly the time," the official said.

The U.S. continues to reach out to every country in the Middle East, not only to solicit their analysis and advice, but also to assure nervous allies that the United States stands with them during this tumultuous time in the region.

"We are in a phase where the Mubarak era is ending in Egypt, either now or in September, and something this significant hasn't happened in the region in some time. We are giving them the chance to give us their views and letting them know how significant this is."

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