U.S. to Egypt: Do more in talks with opposition

WASHINGTON — The United States believes the Egyptian government's democratic efforts have been insufficient.

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State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman's meetings with opposition figures so far "are not broad enough, not credible enough."

Crowley said the U.S. wanted Egypt's government to do more. And he urged the opposition to participate in dialogue.

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He also said there were strong indications that attacks on journalists in Cairo were part of a concerted effort to stifle reporting on the crisis. He didn't blame Mubarak or the government, though.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Thursday strongly condemned attacks on journalists and protesters in Egypt and said President Hosni Mubarak's government should begin immediate talks on a political transition.

"I urge the government and a broad and credible representation of Egypt's oppositon, civil society and political factions to begin immediately serious negotiations on a peaceful and orderly transition," Clinton said.

Crowley said President Barack Obama's envoy to Egypt, Frank Wisner, briefed Clinton on the situation in Egypt earlier Thursday.

Crowley said Clinton spoke Thursday with Jordan's King Abdullah II.