>>>>If not he has certainly signaled his willingness to do so.
>>>>
>>>>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/world/middleeast/29diplo.html?hp
>>>>
>>>>IMO this is the way an American President should act in a crisis. Egypt is an ally, or as close as we have to one in the Arab world, but Obama is saying there are some things we will not turn a blind eye to.
>>>
>>>Seems to me he succeeded in turning a blind eye until a few days ago :-}
>>
>>Neither of us knows what diplomatic channels were pursued.
>
>But if you wish to argue that we do not know what views were expressed 'privately' in the past then I am free to point out that we also don't know what is being privately expressed at present :-}
>
>>I think it took a lot for matters to reach this point.
>Partly my point.

OK. My point was only that this is a seismic event.