Google executive: Time for talks in Egypt has passed

Wael Ghonim tells CNN Muslim Brotherhood "not involved" in revolution, describes being "super-scared" during 12-day detention.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Google executive Wael Ghonim 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Google executive Wael Ghonim 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
The time for negotiations in Egypt has passed, according to Wael Ghonim, a Google marketing manager who helped spark the country's unprecedented protest movement in recent weeks.
In a CNN interview aired Wednesday night, Ghonim said, "This is no longer the time to negotiate unfortunately... [the Egyptian government] decided to negotiate with us at night, with rubber bullets, with police sticks, with water hoses."
"Thanks, we got the message," he quipped.
He also spoke of the beginning of the revolution: "The plan was to get everyone on their feet... our demands are gonna be all about what touches people's daily life."
Ghonim also spoke of the Muslim Brotherhood, which he said was "not involved at all" in the planning stages of the revolution. "The Muslim Brotherhood announced that they're not going to participate officially."
When asked if "this is an internet revolution," Ghonim answered, "Definitely... I'll call it Revolution 2.0."
"If you want to free a society, just give them internet access," he said. "People will see the truth."
Ghonim claimed he was targeted when arrested and held for 12 days: "They wanted me." He described being "super-scared" as he was blindfolded by Egyptian authorities.
Towards the end of the interview, Ghonim burst into tears, speaking of the protesters killed in demonstrations in the past weeks. "This is a crime, this president needs to step down because this is a crime," he sobbed.
Despite having worked for Google, Ghonim said with tears running down his face that he is willing to die to bring about the change he wants to see in Egypt.
Click here for full Jpost coverage of unrest in Egypt
Click here for full Jpost coverage of unrest in Egypt