AN ISLAMIST PRESIDENT-ELECT IN EGYPT.
The Osgood File. Sponsored in part by Clear Ears, comfortable earplugs that dry and remove water trapped in the ears. Clear Ears - better than drops, safe for kids. This is Charles Osgood.
The announcement that Mohammed Morsi, the candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood, has won the election for Egypt's Presidency was made to a crowd that had gathered in Tahrir Square.
And when the announcement came, says our CBS News colleague Charlie D'Agata there in Cairo...
VO - Charlie D'Agata, CBS News Correspondent in Cairo
"It took a moment for word of the victory to sink in - then, the crowd roared. (NAT Cheers)" (:08)
This was not exactly a landslide, though, Charlie.
VO - Charlie D'Agata
"It was close. Election officials said Mohammed Morsi beat his rival, former military general Ahmed Shafiq, with only 51.7 percent of the vote." (:10)
What happens now? Good question. We'll talk about that after this...
((( BREAK )))
The story in Egypt is not over by any means, says former CIA case officer Robert Baer.
SOT - Robert Baer
"I think we're just seeing the beginning of this. Yes, the Muslim Brotherhood has taken the Presidency - the Military so far has deferred. But, the power struggle is by no means over. As the President starts to exert power, I think we're going to see the Military push back..." (:16)
And if they do?
SOT - Robert Baer
"The chances of this turning violent very quickly are very high. We could see the Military put tanks in the street. We could even see them simply just overthrow the government. I think the possibilities of that are very good." (:13)
Which would be very bad for us, although President Obama has congratulated Morsi and promised to work with him.
Even so, says Robert Baer.
SOT - Robert Baer
"For all these years - since Camp David - we've been supporting the Military, we've been funding it, and it looks like the Military is acting on behalf of the United States. This sort of perception on the street cannot play well for the United States, especially if it turns violent." (:16)
The Osgood File. This is Charles Osgood on the CBS Radio Network. |
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