I just finished a discussion with my national security team

about the situation in Egypt, and I wanted to provide an

update about our response to the events of the last several days.

Let me begin by stepping back for a moment.

The relationship between the United States and Egypt

goes back decades.

It's rooted in our respect of Egypt as a nation,

an ancient center of civilization,

and a cornerstone for peace in the Middle East.

It's also rooted in our ties to the Egyptian people,

forged through a longstanding partnership.

Just over two years ago, America was inspired by the Egyptian

people's desire for change as millions of Egyptians took to

the streets to defend their dignity and demand a government

that was responsive to their aspirations for political

freedom and economic opportunity.

And we said at the time that change would not come quickly or

easily, but we did align ourselves with a set of

principles: nonviolence, a respect for universal rights,

and a process for political and economic reform.

In doing so, we were guided by values but also by interests,

because we believe nations are more stable and more successful

when they're guided by those principles as well.

And that's why we're so concerned by recent events.

We appreciate the complexity of the situation.

While Mohamed Morsi was elected President in a democratic

election, his government was not inclusive and did not respect

the views of all Egyptians.

We know that many Egyptians, millions of Egyptians,

perhaps even a majority of Egyptians were calling

for a change in course.

And while we do not believe that force is the way to resolve

political differences, after the military's intervention several

weeks ago, there remained a chance for reconciliation

and an opportunity to pursue a democratic path.

Instead, we've seen a more dangerous path taken through

arbitrary arrests, a broad crackdown on Mr. Morsi's

associations and supporters, and now tragically the violence

that's taken the lives of hundreds of people

and wounded thousands more.

The United States strongly condemns the steps that have

been taken by Egypt's interim government and security forces.

We deplore violence against civilians.

We support universal rights essential to human dignity,

including the right to peaceful protest.

We oppose the pursuit of martial law,

which denies those rights to citizens under the principle

that security trumps individual freedom,

or that might makes right.

And today the United States extends its condolences to the

families of those who were killed

and those who were wounded.

And given the depths of our partnership with Egypt,

our national security interests in this pivotal part of the

world and our belief that engagement can support

a transition back to a democratically elected

civilian government, we've sustained our commitment

to Egypt and its people.

But while we want to sustain our relationship with Egypt,

our traditional cooperation cannot continue as usual when

civilians are being killed in the streets and rights

are being rolled back.

As a result, this morning we notified the Egyptian government

that we are canceling our biannual joint military exercise

which was scheduled for next month.

Going forward I've asked my national security team to assess

the implications of the actions taken by the interim government

and further steps that we may take as necessary

with respect to the U.S.-Egyptian relationship.

Let me say that the Egyptian people deserve better

than what we've seen over the last several days.

And to the Egyptian people, let me say the cycle of violence

and escalation needs to stop.

We call on the Egyptian authorities to respect the

universal rights of the people.

We call on those who are protesting to do so peacefully

and condemn the attacks that we've seen by protesters,

including on churches.

We believe that the state of emergency should be lifted,

that a process of national reconciliation should begin,

that all parties need to have a voice in Egypt's future,

that the rights of women and religious minorities should be

respected, and that commitments must be kept to pursue

transparent reforms of the constitution and democratic

elections of a parliament and a President.

Pursuing that path with help Egypt meet the democratic

aspirations of its people while attracting the investment,

tourism and international support that can help it deliver

opportunities to its citizens.

Violence, on the other hand, will only feed the cycle of

polarization that isolates Egyptians from one another

and from the world, and that continues

to hamper the opportunity for Egypt to get back

on the path of economic growth.

Let me make one final point.

America cannot determine the future of Egypt.

That's a task for the Egyptian people.

We don't take sides with any particular party

or political figure.

I know it's tempting inside of Egypt to blame the United States

or the West or some other outside actor

for what's gone wrong.

We've been blamed by supporters of Morsi.

We've been blamed by the other side,

as if we are supporters of Morsi.

That kind of approach will do nothing to help Egyptians

achieve the future that they deserve.

We want Egypt to succeed.

We want a peaceful, democratic, prosperous Egypt.

That's our interest.

But to achieve that,

the Egyptians are going to have to do the work.

We recognize that change takes time,

and that a process like this is never guaranteed.

There are examples in recent history of countries that are

transitioned out of a military government towards a democratic

government, and it did not always go in a straight line,

and the process was not always smooth.

There are going to be false starts.

There will be difficult days.

America's democratic journey took us through some mighty

struggles to perfect our union.

From Asia to the Americas, we know that democratic transitions

are measured not in months or even years,

but sometimes in generations.

So in the spirit of mutual interest and mutual respect,

I want to be clear that America wants to be a partner

in the Egyptian people's pursuit of a better future,

and we are guided by our national interest in this

longstanding relationship.

But our partnership must also advance the principles that

we believe in and that so many Egyptians have sacrificed for

these last several years --

no matter what party or faction they belong to.

So America will work with all those in Egypt and around

the world who support a future of stability that rests

on a foundation of justice and peace and dignity.

Thank you very much.