Local Egyptians say trust is lacking ; REACTION

Across the region yesterday, many local Egyptians reacted toPresident Hosni Mubarak's announcement that he would not seekreelection with deep suspicion of a man they say has lost allcredibility with most Egyptians, at home and abroad.

"I think it's a trap," said Tamer Elkholy, 28, a graduate studentat MIT. "It's not anywhere near what we, the people, are askingfor."

Elkholy said the protesters should keep demonstrating andpressing Mubarak to step down.

"The protests are our leverage, the people in the street," hesaid. "Now is the time to pull more concessions out of him byunifying the opposition."

Maha El-Attar, a pediatrician who lives in North Attleborough,said Mubarak's refusal to step down and years of presiding over acorrupt, broken government are an affront to the Egyptian people.Attar said she was incensed by yesterday's speech.

"I was really upset," Attar said. "It's totally disrespectful tothe people. He's saying, `Oh, now I'll support change.' Who are youtalking too? These are not stupid people. This is the same game he'sbeen playing for 30 years. He's playing for time and trying tosquash the movement."

Attar said she has been in contact with several of her familymembers in Cairo and upper Egypt, some of whom are participating inthe mass demonstrations in Tahrir Square. She said many people areprotesting in shifts, demonstrating for eight hours.

While some Egyptian Bay Staters marveled at the spectacle ofMubarak's apparent concession to the unprecedented throngs ofprotesters, most agreed that only his resignation would satisfy therevolutionary crowds.

"I was speechless, I didn't know what to say," said NaglaaGaafar, 40, of Seekonk. "But I don't think that is what people want.After 30 years of broken promises, we have no faith in what hesays."

Gaafar, originally from Alexandria, said she wants true democracyfor her people.

"I believed I lived in a democratic country all of my life, untilat age 27, I came here and I saw what true democracy looks like andhow it feels," she said. "I want nothing less for my people; theydeserve it."

Like the Egyptian dissidents in the streets of Cairo andAlexandria, many locals were unsure what a new government would looklike, but said fears of a serious power grab by the MuslimBrotherhood, an Islamist opposition group, were overblown.

"The Muslim Brotherhood is given much more weight than theyactually have," Elkholy said. "Christian Egyptians won't supportthem and a good number of Muslims won't support them. They are notthat popular."

Gaafar agreed, and said the masses of Egyptian Internet-savvyyoung people do not want anything resembling the theocratic statesof Saudi Arabia or Iran.

"The Muslim Brotherhood has no significant pull in Egypt, neverhad it, never will," Gaafar said. "This is about real democracy, notto promote religion. The people are looking for betteropportunities, better work conditions, better living conditions."

Akram Ele, 26, pursuing an MBA at Northeastern University, saidhe does not trust many of the opposition figures such as the formerdirector of the International Atomic Energy Agency, MohamedElBaradei, who has emerged as a possible leader in recent days. Elehopes the Egyptian army will assume control during an interim perioduntil free elections can be held. "The army is the only institutionthat has not been corrupted," Ele said. "People trust the army."

Stewart Bishop can be reached at sbishop@globe.com.

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