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Al-Ahram Weekly 1 - 7 July 1999 Issue No. 436 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 1 - 7 July 1999 Issue No. 436
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Special Interview Travel Living Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters "We will not turn back"
In a brief but lively ceremony at George Washington University (GWU) in Washington DC on Tuesday, President Hosni Mubarak received an honourary doctorate from the 1,500-faculty strong, 18,000-student university. The University bestowed on him the degree of Doctor of Laws "with all the rights, duties, privileges and responsibilities pertaining thereto." Mubarak, dressed in navy blue and black velvet robes, took the opportunity to give his audience of some 2,000 spectators a rundown of facts and figures regarding Egypt.
In a punchy speech, Mubarak noted that economic liberalisation may have reduced the role of governments, but it also "opened up unlimited prospects and frontiers for both the private and voluntary sectors." From here, Mubarak went on to say that these sectors are now "full partners with the government in setting policies and implementing them." Cairo, he said, encourages this partnership for the benefit of all citizens by securing an environment in which the private sector can create jobs, wealth, goods and services.
Mubarak noted that at the forefront of civil society rights are "political participation and the extension of democracy and accountable government." He said that Egypt was moving along the road of democracy "with confidence", saying that "we will not turn back nor will our belief in the rule of law be shaken." He added that democracy is being promoted in Egypt "in the spirit of tolerance and cooperation that is known of the Egyptian people." He said that for centuries, the voluntary sector has played a "crucial role in binding our society together."
"The charity and compassion advocated by Christianity since the Holy Family's journey in ancient Egypt, and the strong message of sharing carried forward by Islam, have both endowed our society with a deep sense of civil responsibility."
He said that the Egyptian government is "conscious and respectful of human rights in the most comprehensive sense." Human rights include every individual's right to freedom of speech, of expression and intellectual fulfillment, he said. "This is a country where all are equal in law, in practice and in spirit, men and women, peasants and urban dwellers, rich and poor, regardless of their creed or beliefs," Mubarak stressed.
University President Joel Trachtenberg described the Egyptian president as a man who filled his role "with compassion, courage and grace." He noted that Mubarak "rose through the ranks of the military to become a leader. Rose through the ranks of politics to become a peacemaker. And rose through the ranks of international relations to become a statesman."
For more than a century, GWU has awarded honourary degrees to individuals who have played a major role in shaping world history. These include South African Bishop Desmond Tutu, former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and former US presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.
Mubarak was optimistic about the prospects of the peace process. "A new government in Israel has come to power. It holds the promise of better days for the peoples of Israel and Palestine," he said.
Mubarak's speech was met with a standing ovation from the audience, which included diplomats, academics and journalists.
A few hours later, Mubarak was recognised by St. John's University in New York for his "extraordinary dedication to the cause of peace and significant achievement as Egypt's leader." The ceremony took place at Mubarak's presidential residence in Blair House, which was only the second time ever for the University to hold an academic convocation and conferral of an honourary degree off campus.
