Western media slams excessive use of force

European and US newspapers yesterday condemned the crackdown on supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in Egypt, and urged Washington to act to push both sides towards reconciliation.
The Times in London described Wednesday's assault in Cairo as a "massacre" and warned the legitimacy of Egypt's interim regime "hangs by a thread".
"This was a massacre. The (Muslim) Brotherhood has not been blameless in the period of simmering anarchy since its removal from power, but yesterday's operation was out of all proportion to any provocation," the newspaper said in an editorial.
It urged Washington to act, suggesting it delay the shipment of F16 fighters and withhold extra funds promised last year for civilian uses, saying that "quiet acquiescence will be interpreted across the Muslim world as tacit support".
The New York Times went further, calling on President Barack Obama to suspend the $1.3 billion in annual US aid to the Egyptian military, saying the latest bloodbath in Cairo risked sparking civil war.
Under an editorial entitled "Egypt's democracy dies a violent death", the Financial Times said it too had lost faith in the military-backed government's willingness and ability to guide the country towards inclusive elections.
Washington should suspend its aid "until the violence is halted and all parties agree to talks. The release of Mr Morsi has to be on the table," the FT said.
In France, Le Monde said the crackdown and the imposition of a state of emergency was a "terrible step backwards".
"It negates everything that has been achieved since the revolution in January 2011," which had ousted longtime ruler Mubarak.
In Germany, the Berliner Zeitung daily said the brutality of the Egyptian police and military "seems to confirm the worst fears" that the army-backed government "in no way aims for a fresh democratic start".
The Economist magazine added: "The scale of the unrest and the depth of the country's wounds are a grim omen for the future."