CHAOS IN EGYPT/ Ronza: The army is a military power, but also an economic one

Hell in Tahrir Square: three consecutive days, with short breaks, of incidents and clashes between demonstrators and the police. The tally at the moment shows at least forty-two dead and two thousand wounded. The military government currently in office in Egypt has said, through its spokesman, that the elections on November 28 are still happening, but apparently people do not trust this message. The situation is evolving continuously. "These are the same soldiers who held power under Mubarak," Robi Ronza, a journalist and expert on international policy, told IlSussidiario.net, "nothing has changed in Egypt. People obviously are realizing this".

Ronza, the military continues to say that the next elections will be held November 28: what exactly is happening in Egypt? What is behind these demonstrations?
The people in power are part of the exact same regime as the one under Mubarak, who was, in fact, a former general. They put him aside, but, in essence, nothing has changed. Keep in mind that the army in Egypt means a huge force, not only militarily but also economically.

In what sense is the military an economic force?
There is a whole system of factories that forms an economic complex that makes the Egyptian armed forces both a military machine and, at the same time, an economic machine. It is a very complete system of power: the military factories are the largest industrial company in Egypt and the largest source of income after the Suez Canal.

Thus, we can say that the population understands that there is continuity between Mubarak’s regime and the current one and does not trust it?
Certainly, they are aware that even with the elections there will not be a regime change. In fact, they are calling on the military to step aside. They are not confident that the elections can open up some spaces for real freedom.

Some say that the Americans, even in the days of Mubarak, but also now, have a close relationship with the Egyptian military forces.
Keep in mind that all the senior Egyptian officials have been trained in U.S. military academies. Egyptian and American generals are often former classmates and friends of long standing. Then we must also take into account the fact that the armed forces around the world, especially in certain sectors using high technology, such as the Air Force, constitute a sort of international alliance. Therefore, it is very likely that there are links and support from the U.S. military and this must have been understood by the people. Thus, they understand that these bonds will have an effect on the new, post-Mubarak Egypt.

How important are the more radical Islamic organizations in the demonstrations? In the upcoming elections, do you already know who will get the highest number of votes?