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Al-Ahram Weekly 19 - 25 August 1999 Issue No. 443 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 19 - 25 August 1999 Issue No. 443
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Toshka is the future
I was very pleased to see reports praising the Toshka project in several foreign papers, like the Washington Times and Jeune Afrique. This reinforces my confidence in the giant project, which will change life as we know it in Egypt for the first time in thousands of years.
In truth, there was no need for the foreign press's praise: we were already convinced of the importance of this project. I think its impact will transcend the benefits it will bring to agriculture and urban life, and will come to affect all aspects of our lives. I believe, too, that the West has come to regard such projects, which express our greatest hopes, in a more objective manner. Given such objectivity, there is no place for discrimination on political grounds of the sort experienced previously, as in the case of the High Dam. The press in the '60s focused only on the negative aspects of the project; today, according to a recent report, an international panel made up of world-renowned experts has recognised the High Dam as one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century.
When the Toshka project is complete, it will pave the way for the creation of a new Egypt. It will solve many of the problems plaguing us: the shortage of arable land, the lack of housing, unemployment... I believe that Toshka will even affect our democratic practices, since hundreds of thousands of young people will achieve their aspirations thanks to the mega-project, and will be better prepared to participate in political life. The economic improvements Toshka will bring will also create a new class of investors and businessmen, increasing the base of political participation.
Based on an interview by Mohamed Salmawy.
