8 - 14 February 2001
Issue No.520
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 8 - 14 February 2001 Issue No.520 |
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Irrational choices
AT THIS week's Council of Arab Environment Ministers in Abu Dhabi, Egypt underlined the irrational use and degradation of natural resources as a major threat to the Arab world, reports Sherine Nasr.The Abu Dhabi Declaration, issued at the end of the conference, outlined a short-term plan for implementing projects to combat environmental degradation. And looking to the long-term, participants discussed plans to introduce a "clean environment development mechanism."
A comprehensive report on the situation in Egypt was presented by environmentalists Mustafa Tolba and Osama El-Kholi. Their research suggests that the reason development plans are aborted before they bear fruit -- more often than not -- lies with the rapid increase in population. The Arab world's "population is expected to jump to 466 million by 2025 which imposes a strain on the natural resources of the region," the report said.
Scarcity of water was pointed out as the major natural resource problem. Nadia Makram Ebeid, minister of state for environmental affairs, concurred saying, "unfortunately, no serious attempts have been made so far to prevent progressive depletion and irrational use of these unique water resources."
Patriarchy reigns
ONCE again the government has denied Egyptian women married to non-Egyptians the right to pass the Egyptian nationality to their children. In a statement to the Proposals and Complaints Committee of the People's Assembly, a representative of the Interior Ministry argued that giving female citizens this right would impact adversely on national interests. He added that Egypt adheres to the principles of Islamic law which put paternity above maternity.These arguments were supported by a representative of the Ministry of Justice who turned down a draft law presented in this connection by independent MP Abdel-Moneim El-Oleimi.
No mad cows
WE ARE a people who like to eat meat -- if we can afford it. With this in mind, agricultural experts and meat producers gathered at the National Democratic Party Headquarters to discuss mad cow disease, reports Mahmoud Bakr. After all, to be a meat eater these days may be considered a risky proposition given that imports of the commodity make up a major portion of what is available on the market.Although discussion participants warned against importing meat from European countries, where mad cow disease has been reported, and instead urged Arab self-reliance in meat production, they also made some announcements that were reassuring to consumers.
Safwat Saleh, head of the Agriculture Ministry's Veterinary Medicine Department, affirmed that no cases of mad cow disease have been discovered in Egypt. And Fathi Khalafallah, head of the Health Inspection Bureau, added that 85 to 90 per cent of Egyptian cows graze on locally-produced feed which means, according to Khalafallah, the possibility that mad cow disease could occur in Egypt is extremely remote.
Caution to the wind?
A TRAVEL directive issued by the US State Department advising American tourists to exercise caution when considering travel to Egypt expired on 27 January. American officials have not made it clear so far whether the warning will be renewed.Issued in October 2000, the advisory suggested to American citizens that, "due to the recent events in the Middle East," they should be "vigilant and exercise good security practices, avoid large crowds and demonstrations and take appropriate steps to reduce their vulnerability."
David Ballard, US embassy spokesman, explained: "In fact, there is no such a thing as a 'travel ban.' That is a very strong word to use. It is not even a travel warning. There are only worldwide announcements for American citizens to be careful while visiting different places."
Other examples include warnings against visiting a country such as India because of earthquakes, or Israel where political tension runs high. Tips may include information on crime rates, the political situation as well as the availability of medical facilities. "The idea is to give Americans useful tips for their personal safety," said Ballard.
Ban or no ban, violence in the occupied territories has negatively affected the flow of American tourists into Egypt. "We can feel a slight drop in bookings as well as some cancellations," said Sarah Hamilton, marketing manager for Abercrombie and Kent, one of the largest travel agencies bringing American tourists to Egypt.
Hit-and-run
DALIA Magdi is a pharmacist accused of unintentionally killing six children on 28 December by running them over with her car on a highway in the delta. Instead of stopping to assist the victims, she sped away from the scene of the crime. The next day, Magdi fled to Jordan and then to the United Arab Emirates before stopping in Kuwait, where her husband is employed. It was there that she was picked up by Interpol who turned her over to Egyptian authorities for trial.
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