Gradual steps forward
President Mubarak spoke candidly to students of his vision for the future of Egypt and the region, reports Nevine Khalil
In a frank and open discussion on Saturday with some 1,000 undergraduates attending summer camp, President Hosni Mubarak elaborated on several issues pertaining to foreign and domestic policy. Mubarak took the opportunity to outline Egypt's proposal to overhaul the Arab League, and discussed his vision for the younger generations' role in mapping out Egypt's future.
At the outset of the meeting, Mubarak noted that the world as a whole is going through "a most sensitive time", with the Arab world in particular recently witnessing "many vast changes and colossal events". He explained the developments that had recently taken place on the peace process track, including the formation of a new Palestinian government, the roadmap and the first steps in its implementation. "The real development," asserted Mubarak, "is that the US administration is once again focussing on the Palestinian issue." Mubarak welcomed Washington's recent steps to secure approval for the roadmap, as well as its commitment to supervising the initiative's implementation, and follow through on the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
He noted that the June summits in Sharm El- Sheikh and Aqaba had succeeded in launching the roadmap. They also paved the way for a cease-fire by Palestinian factions -- "although the continuation of the cease-fire requires a strong will by both sides and adherence to their commitments".
Later on in the discussion, Mubarak described the roadmap as "the best offer on the table right now, but what is important is its implementation". He said that what distinguishes this initiative from its predecessors is that "for the first time the US is involved hands-on." Mubarak would not confirm whether or not statements by "some American officials" claiming that Palestinian statehood would be postponed past the 2005 deadline were true. "We will wait and see what the US administration has to say," he said. "I think the issue is very complicated and therefore needs a greater effort."
The president said that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "is the only one capable of resolving the [conflict] now -- if he wanted to". Mubarak's personal reading of the situation is as follows: "There is no one else on the Israeli political scene who has the required courage. Sharon has the ability, but does he have the will? That is the question."
Cairo believes the Israelis are required to first halt their assassination, land confiscation and wall-building policies. They also need to release more Palestinian detainees and honour their commitments to withdraw from the land they occupied on 28 September 2000. But the Palestinians, led by Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), also have duties. They need to exert more effort to achieve "absolute security control", Mubarak said. "We worked hard on the issue of the Palestinian factions and the ensuing cease-fire in order to eliminate any possible Israeli excuses [not to honour the roadmap]."
Moving on to another volatile situation in the Middle East, Mubarak said that the war in Iraq made the Arab region face "one of the most difficult decisions in its modern history". The days preceding the war "highlighted the deficiency of the common security system of the international community, as well as the Arab regional order's inability to deal with the threats confronting the Arab and Muslim world". At this point, Mubarak announced Egypt's initiative to reform the Arab League, describing it as "the beginning of the attainment of common Arab interests, the prevention of future crises, and the nurturing of a sense of belonging among the people".
During the question and answer session, Mubarak defended a leading figure in the ousted Saddam Hussein regime -- Information Minister Mohamed Said Al-Sahhaf. He noted that, "many Iraqis, including Al-Sahhaf, disapproved of what was taking place. And when Al-Sahhaf became popular with the people, someone in Sweden decided to take him to court for being a killer." According to Mubarak, "Al-Sahhaf can't even kill a chicken; they just wanted to get him into trouble."
In anticipation of the anarchy that was expected to define post-war Iraq, Mubarak had suggested to Washington to immediately set up a military governing council to take control of the country. "The military is the only body that would be respected by all," reasoned Mubarak, adding that the Americans would act as "advisors" to the new council, who would be able to exercise authority over the police, the Iraqi people and government officials. But the US felt otherwise.
Fast-forwarding to the situation in Iraq now, Mubarak said the Americans needed to move at a faster pace to restore law and order and stop the bloodshed. He noted that Cairo welcomed the recently created Iraqi governing council, "not because we approve of it, but because we felt they needed to do something". Egypt wants a new Iraqi constitution to be drawn up as soon as possible and a representative government elected into power to replace the interim governing body. "This all requires a timeline for the process -- the constitution, elections and new government," noted Mubarak. "Otherwise the situation will not stabilise in Iraq." All of the above, he said, would ensure the exit of occupying foreign forces at the earliest date.
Turning to domestic matters, Mubarak first addressed the issue of democracy, saying that although there are constant requirements for democracy, "the definition of the concept differs from one country to another." He described democracy as "a domestic and intrinsic process depending on the nature of the society; each society decides what form of government it wants". Mubarak believes that Egypt has made much progress on the issues of democracy and political liberties, and urged political parties to activate their role in society.
"We are democratising at our own pace and will continue to do so gradually to avoid causing turmoil," he said. "We are following the basic principles of democracy but not necessarily adhering to a specific model." Mubarak urged his audience of university students to "follow a democratic discourse in debate, based on respecting the opinion of the other because freedom carries with it many responsibilities".
Earlier in his address, Mubarak noted that the younger generations have a right "to participate in the decision-making process [regarding] the future of their nation".
The president told the student body that they were "an integral part of this nation. We need your input, your modern vision and developed intellect." But during the question and answer session, Mubarak indicated that politics would not be tolerated on university campuses. "To grant permission for political parties to operate freely on campus would divide the student and even faculty body," he noted. "This would create an internal struggle on campus and education would be neglected." Mubarak said that if students were interested in politics they should practice it off campus.
Mubarak said Egypt had also made much progress in economic reform, in order to better integrate with the world economic order. At the same time, the country continues to struggle with "bigger development problems" such as population growth, unemployment and export issues. "All this, while remaining mindful of the social dimension of development," he said. In concluding his remarks, the president urged the gathered students to "let loose your creativity and energy because you are our soldiers of the future".
