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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 Friends to partners
By Sayed Elewa *The annual meeting President Mubarak holds with US administration officials and members of the political and intellectual establishment is intended to nurture and consolidate Egyptian-American relations, which have flourished in the past two decades. Both the Egyptian and American sides have shown themselves to be determined to bring relations to fruition at new levels, resolved as they are to address the challenges of the next century together.
Egypt and the US have established a good understanding on a number of issues: first are trade exchanges, and scientific and technical cooperation in such fields as the environment, education and human resource development. Second: economic reform and development. Third: encouraging investment flows to undercapitalised Egyptian projects. Fourth: resuming the peace process in pursuit of a comprehensive and just settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Fifth: conducting political and cultural dialogue as a means of reconciling East and West -- civilisations which, despite a history often fraught with tension, can indeed coexist in a mutually beneficial symbiosis.
The specificity of Egyptian-American cooperation is based on several important elements. First, both Egyptian and American diplomats are aware of the importance of a sound analysis of globalisation. Globalism offers endless possibilities for international cooperation; but to reap its fruits, a strong will and considerable self-confidence are required.
Second, we are aware of the need to maximise the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy.
Third, everyone is aware of the need for caution and tact in addressing certain explosive issues that could constrain Egyptian-American cooperation: the liberalisation of the pharmaceutical industry in Egypt; intellectual property rights; and the efforts exerted by the Jewish lobby to impede the further development of Egyptian-American relations by claiming that Egypt is beset by religious strife and guilty of numerous human rights violations. Among other controversial issues are the American proposals with respect to Israel's role in brokering trade exchanges between the Arab region and the rest of the world, and the US's insistence on linking regional economic development with the normalisation of relations with Israel.
A fourth element in this special relationship is the common desire to expand the scope of cultural exchange and political dialogue. New participants must be taken into account in this process: in addition to businessmen and official circles, grassroots institutions, NGOs, the media, members of parliament, congressmen, think tanks, and academia must all work to reinforce the bonds of friendship and partnership.
* The writer is a professor of political science at Helwan University.
