Back to business
Gradually recovering from a bad cold, President Mubarak will be back in his office next week, reports Nevine Khalil
After interrupting his live address to the joint houses of parliament on 19 November for 40 minutes after being hit by a dizzy spell, President Hosni Mubarak made his first statements to the press on Saturday.
He told the Egyptian daily Al-Gomhouriya that his health has now improved "greatly" and that he would resume his normal work schedule after the Eid holiday which ends today. "I didn't listen to the doctors when they advised me to postpone my parliament address [yet again] until getting over this bout of flu," he explained, "but I went against their advice and insisted on keeping my appointment."
Mubarak had postponed the parliamentary address once before, scheduled originally for 15 November, for health reasons, and following the advice of his doctor. "We were close to the Eid holidays and a lot of members of parliament had travelled to Cairo for the meeting. Had I postponed the address, I would have ruined their holiday." Mubarak cancelled a second public appearance on 20 November, he said in the interview.
While delivering the address, Mubarak said he suddenly felt his body temperature rise "and sweat running down my face. But the short relapse passed quickly". Apologising to the millions who held their breath for the duration of his absence from the TV screen last week, the president said "I didn't mean to alarm people to this extent, and I want to thank all the kings, princes and leaders of the world who called to inquire about my health".
Mubarak received several phone calls from well wishers at home and abroad, including Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who called Mubarak over the weekend to check on his health.
Relations between Cairo and Tel Aviv have cooled markedly since the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000, and more so since Sharon came to power in 2001. As conditions in the Palestinian territories deteriorate and Israel continues its policies of assassination, invasion and land confiscation, Egypt has tried to mediate between the Israelis and Palestinians to bring about a truce to allow for the implementation of the US-backed roadmap initiative. In fact, US Assistant Secretary of State William Burns is expected to pay a visit to the region in the next two weeks to work on peace prospects between the Palestinians and Israelis, as well as look at the situation in Iraq.
Cairo has also been in frequent contact with the US-appointed Interim Governing Council (IGC) in Iraq; several members of the IGC visited Cairo over the past few weeks to consolidate ties and seek assistance with the reconstruction of Iraq. On Saturday, the current IGC Chairman Jalal Talibani sent a message to Mubarak through an envoy who met with Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher. Hajem Al-Hassib talked extensively with Maher, explaining the latest developments in Iraq. Al-Hassib urged Egypt to play a bigger role in post-war Iraq, "especially with regard to reconstruction and police training. We want to broaden our cooperation with Egypt."
The United States also is preparing to work closer with Egypt. Last week, Burns told reporters that Cairo and Washington would soon relaunch their "strategic dialogue" when Mubarak meets with US President George W Bush early next year. The two sides, according to Burns, have been working on structuring a comprehensive strategic dialogue which would incorporate all aspects of cooperation between Egypt and the US, including economic and political collaboration.
Burns hoped that an official announcement of the dialogue, which should benefit the interests of both countries, will be made during Mubarak's upcoming visit. Mubarak did not make his annual trip to the US this year, which some observers believed was a further indication that Cairo and Washington's perspectives were growing ever further apart.
Al-Ahram Weekly Online : 27 November - 3 December 2003 (Issue No. 666)
Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/666/eg1.htm