Today the European Commission published her conclusions on Egypt.

You can find them at the following links :

Declaration from the European Commision :
 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/119039.pdf

Declaration from Catherine Ashton :
 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/119029.pdf

In order to understand their declaration fully one needs basic knowledge of diplomacy.

In diplomacy, you have roughly three degrees of actions that can be taken when confronted with certain situations :

The first degree of action is the declaration. That one can be friendly superficial to angry and to the point. In the latter case, the maximal significance of a declaration, no matter how angry formulated, is : "We are bothered by what is happening, but we will not bother you". Angry statements mainly serve to appease the home front.

Degree two is the freezing of diplomatic relations with measures like pulling back diplomats or even the ambassador himself. Translated into human language, this action means : we are really angry, but will not go further than shifting some diplomats. In general, after a lapse of time, normal diplomatic relations are restored.

Degree 3 comprises taking economic measures (varying between a little economic boycott and total economic boycott) as well as measures like blocking accounts, international arrest warrants , confiscating of air planes, travel restrictions for diplomats,...eventually internationally coordinated. This is the only really meaningful diplomatic action. Translated into human language it means : you have gone to far, and you have to pull back.

With what we just explained, today's declaration from the European Commission is a slap in the face from the Egyptian freedom movement and all European democrats. In contrast to the Tunesian revolution, the Egyptian freedom movement not only faces their dictator, but they have all the oligarchs from the Maghreb and the Mid East against them. They will never allow a second Tunesia to happen. That's why we need very strong pressure from Europe and it's main member states. Unfortunately, today's European action doesn't go beyond a declaration, which is a first degree diplomatic action, meaning : "we are bothered, but we will not bother you". As democrats we cannot accept such an attitude. Without a strong coordinated action from the European Union and it's main member states, as a counterweight to the mountain of petro-dollars that is awaiting the Egyptian generals, the chances that the Egyptian population will obtain the freedom it deserves, are very slim. A Thailand scenario is looming.

This is an important moment in history. Don't miss it, don't spoil it, and get onto the streets. And not in front of the Egyptian embassy, but in front of our own parliaments and ruling parties' headquarters. It's our governors who have to be pushed to take meaningful diplomatic action (degree 3) against the Egypt regime. The objective has to be, to really touch Mubarak and his clique. Our governments and the European union have to put an ultimatum, attached with sanctions, for the case the ultimatum is not met. The Egyptian military has to get a strong warning, that they will be internationally pursued , for the case they bloodily squelch the democracy movement.

The ultimatum might look as follows.

"We demand within 24 hours that :

* President Mubarak steps down
* Freedom of press will be restored
* Freedom of internet traffic will be restored
* All political prisoners will be released, and house arrests from political opponents lifted
* freedom of reunion will be respected.

If the ultimatum is not met, Mubarak's bank accounts will be blocked, airplanes will be seized, travel restrictions for diplomats and family members implemented,...

Only this way we have a chance that the world will get a little bit better again...