Egyptians: This Revolution Was a Curse

[FrankRep]

Update: June 13, 2011

New Egypt? 7,000 civilians jailed since Mubarak fell
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/06/1...civilians.html


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'This revolution was a curse': Economic woes test Egypt
'People in the neighborhood are talking about going back to the streets for another revolution — a hunger revolution'


New York Times, MSN
June 10, 2011


Egypt’s economy, whose inequities and lack of opportunities helped topple a government, has now ground to a virtual halt, further wounded by the revolution itself.

The 18-day revolt stopped new foreign investment and decimated the pivotal tourist industry. The annual growth slowed to less than 2 percent from a projected 5 percent, and Egypt’s hard currency reserves plunged 25 percent.

In a region where economic woes enraged an entire generation, whether and how Egypt can fix its broken economy will be a crucial factor in determining the revolution’s success. It could also influence the outcome of the revolts across the Arab region, where economic troubles are stirring fears of continued instability, authoritarian crackdowns, or even a backlash against what had appeared to be a turn toward Western-style market reforms.

“People are angry,” said Hassan Mahmoud, a resident of a slum near Cairo. He expected a better life after the revolution, he said, but instead he was laid off from his $10-a-day job in a souvenir factory. “People in the neighborhood are talking about going back to the streets for another revolution — a hunger revolution,” he said.
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Full Story:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43350732...ew_york_times/