7 - 13 February 2002
Issue No.572
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 7 - 13 February 2002 Issue No.572 |
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Catching a ride
Gamal Mubarak warned that Egypt cannot afford to miss the train of global integration. Nevine Khalil listened to his reasons
At a Book Fair seminar on Sunday, Gamal Mubarak, a leading member of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), cautioned Egyptians against isolationism and conspiracy theories. He raised the alarm that if society does not reach consensus soon on supporting decision-makers in their leap onto the world stage, Egypt will be left behind while the whole world progresses at lightning speed.
Gamal Mubarak
At a three-hour-long session, Mubarak told a packed auditorium that he was not only addressing the younger generation on this point, but all intellectuals, thinkers, leaders and media people who should explain and debate the pros and cons of active participation on the world stage -- and quickly reach an affirmative answer. "We cannot afford to waste a lot of time debating the issue, we must quickly reach a consensus that we want to be a world player because the speed of change will be multiplied manifold over the next decade," he stressed. "The world is progressing at an unprecedented pace and will leave us behind."
Mubarak noted that despite the breakdown of many psychological barriers, "the question remains: is society in general agreement to interact with the outside world or not?" The questions is necessary, Mubarak believes, because there is an "undercurrent [within Egypt] which is making society very fearful of this interaction." This is the sense he got from numerous discussions with people, especially the young, during his party- related visits across the country.
"I am very concerned to hear there is a subversive call for isolation from the world community," he told an audience of about 350 inside the auditorium and thousands more watching the live broadcast on television. "Under the guise of patriotism, there is unwillingness and resistance to connect and interact with the outside world out of fear and suspicion." He recalled that as soon as the words "globalisation," "GATT" or "foreign investments" are mentioned, "there is sudden caution and fear that these are tools of a conspiracy by the outside world." He added that conspiracy theorists believe the developed world has a "hidden agenda to sabotage our sovereignty, culture and stability and, therefore, call for postponing interaction, and even putting up barriers against cooperation with the outside world." He warned that this school of thought was not conducive to "our efforts to connect and cooperate with the world community."
At the same time, Mubarak admitted that being a player on the world stage "will not be an easy task," because each country is serving its own interests and there are many risks involved. "It's not all goodwill and benign intentions, but it is far worse to shut out the world," he insisted.
The young politician discussed the fallout of the 11 September attacks in the US, and how it ushered in new debates and issues on the world agenda, such as ideas relating to the clash of civilisations and religions. "I believe this was primarily a result of ignorance of 'the other' on both sides; secondly, unwillingness to exercise self-criticism; and, thirdly, the inability to understand and process what took place in the outside world."
He went on to say that some circles believe that the West is trying to impose its hegemony through changes on the world arena -- especially the Middle East -- to safeguard its strategic interests. What Egypt and the developing world should do, according to Mubarak, "is be aware of attempts to upset the balance of power in the region, but also know that they should be active on the international arena in order to influence and be influenced by these changes."
He noted that over the past decade, "root changes" took place in international relations caused by the fall of the Soviet Union, the revolution in the communications industry, advances in health and science research and a boom in world trade. But the down side has been the rise of "illegitimate forces that want to intimidate society and impose their view on it by any means possible." According to Mubarak, this subversive undercurrent "promotes conspiracy theories without providing an alternative plan of how we can continue to protect and serve our interests with an isolationist outlook." He said they should know that the world has changed dramatically and we must interact with it.
"Egypt has the history, weight, credibility and potential to lead the region, but we must interact with the outside world to be effective and be prepared for any sudden changes," Mubarak concluded.
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