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Thursday, October 04, 2001
President Hosni Mubarak Thursday held an open dialogue with troops of the second field army on the 28th anniversary of the October 1973 victory. President Mubarak said "I have been warning against the danger of terrorism for a very long time. Since 1986 I have been calling for an international conference to discuss combating terrorism, in order to lay down rules for this game which poses a danger to the future of peoples. But countries did not give attention to this issue. Some of them even feared that the word terrorism may reflect on the Israeli side so that it may not be said that what the Israelis were doing against the Palestinians was terrorism." In 1991/92 , we talked about this subject. Terrorist operations began particularly following the end of the war in Afghanistan and the withdrawal of Russian forces. Those who called themselves Mujaheddin - they are terrorists - were jobless and began to spread in some countries. Some came to Egypt through Libya or via the south (Sudan) and began to carry out some terrorist operations in our land. We dealt with this issue very firmly and within the law. We called for an international conference to combat terrorism. Nobody gave attention. In 1993/94, and on every occasion, I used to talk about an international conference to combat terrorism and to lay down rules so that terrorists may not take refuge in certain countries under the protection of democracy. A person kills, or sets an explosion, for example, against late speaker of the people's assembly dr. Rifaat Mahgoub and someone tries to kill the (former) prime minister and then escapes. He was convicted and a judgement is passed against him. but he was given political asylum. Political asylum should be granted to a person who faces a political injustice. But to give political asylum to a killer or leave him alone and say human rights, what human rights? Human rights should be for the weak and innocent who is killed together with members of his family. But a criminal killer? what human rights?, This means that terrorism is encouraged and then a terrorist operation is committed against these countries (which grant killers asylum). This happened in England and in America also. I believe that the time has come, and following what happened (on sept.11) to ponder the idea of calling an international conference to combat terrorism .Countries to which terrorists go for refuge should ascertain that person is not a terrorist killer and that a person who seeks political asylum should seek this because of political injustice. This has rules which will be studied when the present case has been tackled. Question: Your excellency has defined, with full frankness and objectivity, the honourable Egyptian position towards the events which took place in the united states. Can we know your evaluation of the link between these events and failure to find overall and just solutions to regional problems, particularly the middle east problem ? President Mubarak: I continue to say that the Middle East problem is different from other world problems. It is an issue of land which was occupied by the Israelis and its people are badly treated and are almost displaced out of their land. I have said more than once that we want to see a just solution for their issue. Israeli forces should withdraw to their pre-June 5, 1967 positions and the Palestinians should be given their right in order to evade future terrorist operations. I said many times that if the situation remains unchanged is and if the fighting against the Palestinians continues and the Palestinians are not able to restore their land and their right. I fear that this may develop into terrorist operations against Israel and against all countries which cooperate with Israel. I have said this many times at all for in America, in England, in France and in all countries. I consider that 50 percent of the problems of terrorism are the offspring of the Palestine issue. This people want their land. and will never be silent except after restoring their land. If conditions continue as they are now, terrorism shall continue and will spread in the world. I said more than once that the theatre of a war is limited and known. The tasks of forces in war are known and defined. But terrorism makes the world its theatre. No one will know from where terrorism or a strike will come, as was the case at the Israeli embassy in Argentina. Who could have imagined that they (terrorists) may strike in Argentina? Strikes at the Egyptian embassy in Islamabad, the American embassies in Africa, USS Cole at Aden and American forces at Dhahran (in Saudi Arabia) are various examples. Nobody knows from where the strike comes. The theatre of terrorism engulfs the whole world. It is dangerous to ignore it because it may spread in every part of the world. I wish to stress that 50 per cent of terrorist operations are the result of (failure to solve) the Palestinian case. We should find a just solution. I am not defending Palestine and I am not defending Israel. Palestinian citizens die and Israeli citizens die. I am searching for a just solution which would lead to stability in the area. There shall be no stability if there is no just solution which restores the rights of all. Question: Following recent events in the United States, could there be a new, more credible and more objective and neutral vision as regards the solution of the Palestine issue and a relative change in the absolute American support to Israel? President Mubarak: Of course we are against terrorism. We fight terrorism and help prevent terrorist acts because we suffered from terrorism. when the (sept 11) events took place in the united states, nobody could have imagined that this could take place. It was familiar to expect a terrorist operation in the form of an explosion at a certain place or blowing up a bridge. What happened (in the united states on sept 11) is regrettable and painful. I believe that the united states should change its stance towards the Palestine issue. The feeling of injustice leads to an explosion. I believe that the present us administration 1s as I heard yesterday, or two days ago, the American administration said that it recognized the setting up of secure palestinian state and wants Israel to remain as a secure state within its borders. Each side lives in security. This is the optimum solution. I hope that the united states will continue to take this line in order to protect us and our interests and all our peoples against operations of killing and devastation. Question: What is president Mubarak’s vision of the economic situation in Egypt in the light of international economic changes? President Mubarak: naturally, since I assumed the presidency 20 years ago following several wars which consumed Egyptian economy and consumed the infrastructure in Egypt, it was our duty to rebuild Egypt. Conditions were difficult at that time. We had no financial resources. Our population was increasing and we had no resources. We called an economic conference which drew up five-year plans from which we should not deviate. we began to build the infrastructure telephones, water, sanitary drainage, houses, roads, railways, electricity etc. this is know to you. In electricity for instance, we had 17 billion kilowatt. now we have 105 billion kilowatt. In education: there were 7 million students. Now we have about 19 million students. In telephones: 500,000 lines, half of which did not work. Now the number is approaching 7 or 8 million lines and mobile phones. We began to build the infrastructure. Houses were built but nobody inhabited them. Why? Sanitation and electricity did not work. We faced all these problems and began to carry out five-year plans. We carried out an economic reform. The (former) government of Dr. Atef Sidki exerted a huge effort which continued for seven years. Economic effort needs to be carried out quietly and with care. We reformed the economy. The inflation rate and the budget deficit dropped and conditions have improved. The economic situation is affected by international circumstances. At present, the inflation rate dropped this year to 2.4 per cent.. The balance of payments showed a big improvement. Indebtedness dropped from $1.2 billion to $33 million. I did not believe that it could drop to this level. Imports and raw materials and in many other fields were remarkably rationalized. But we face circumstances from time to time, like any other developing country which face many circumstances. But I wish to stress that the government is exerting every effort all times to develop and reform economy . Economy is an ongoing process . Be assured our economy is taking the correct course and correct line. Question: Mr. President, supreme commander of the armed forces: on the anniversary of the great October war where you led the first air strike which opened for us the road to victory so that Egypt may cross to new age to rebuild Egypt’s civilization, what, in your opinion, is the most important lesson which we drew from the October war and does war really make security and peace? President Mubarak: The October war was not a war for the sake of war. The battle was waged to restore land and reach Egypt’s borders so that security and peace may be stabilized in the area. We launched the October war to restore land and to live in peace. War for the sake of war when there is restore land and to live in peace. War for the sake of war when there is no occupied land, this is not correct. To wage war and attack others cannot lead to peace or security. But if battle is waged to restore legitimate rights, this will lead to security and peace. Question: What is the impact or recent events in the United States on Egyptian American relations? President Mubarak: We regret the recent events in the United States. We are against terrorism. We had experience with terrorism. Terrorism is devastating and does not lead to stability at all. Relations between Egypt and the United States are good. But we say: do not be hasty in taking measures, don't and don’t , all are in the form of advice. The aim is that we want every action to be rational and does not lead to a violent reaction. Egypt’s relations with the United States are very good. We support the combat against terrorism. But we do not participate with troops in any place. Egypt’s army is for the defence of the land of Egypt. US Secretary of Defence (Donald Rumsfeld) is coming today. I hope that there will be no rumours he is comong to ask for troops. No, he is not coming to ask for troops or anything of the sort. He is coming to exchange views on what happened in the area. They know Egypt very well and we know our limits. The head of state knows his limits, when to send troops and when not to send troops. I sent troops to the Gulf because there was an Arab common defence treaty which was ratified by parliament. We cannot sent our sons for anything and without a cause, to fight anywhere. Egypt’s army is for the defence of the land of Egypt. Relations with the United States are very good and distinguished and are going on a straight course. Question: We read yesterday that US president George Bush said that it was necessary to set up a Palestinian state on the land of Palestine. In addition,There should be respect of the right of Israel to exist. British Prime Minister Tony Blair stressed that it was necessary that the Palestinians and Israel exist side by side and that they should be given a chance to realize prosperity, welfare and peace on their land. He said that all should respect the right of Israel to exist. Question: Do you see this a positive turn which serves the issue of peace in the area? President Mubarak: I salute US President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair for their statements on the Palestinian state on its land. Religious sanctities and Haram a1 Sharif should be under Palestinian sovereignty, an Arab sovereignty. This is inevitable. The biggest guarantee for stability for the Israelis is to set up a Palestinian state. They (Palestinians and Israelis) have always been living together. If the Israeli government thinks correctly, it should give the Palestinians their occupied territory. This is the best guarantee for the Israelis. I see that the United States should exert effort to see that Palestinian land is restored to its owners. Current violence and terrorism are the result of the fact that the Palestinians are besieged in villages and towns and everywhere. A Palestinian cannot send his child to school in a neighboring village because there is no school in every village. He cannot send anyone to receive treatment at a hospital in a city or another village. He does not work because he is besieged in his village and cannot move. He has no income to spend on food, clothes or treatment. What do you expect from such a citizen. Terrible frustration. It is natural that he caries out suicidal operations because he is practically dead. His logic would be: he makes an explosion and another person dies with him. Israeli troops and tanks should be withdrawn. This would give psychological relief and people would be able to go about doing their normal daily work and earn a living. But to resort to force, means a terrible reaction. The Israelis could not kill and expect Palestinians to stand idle and watch. Whatever Abu Ammar (palestinian president Yasser Arafat) does and talk with Palestinian organizations to stop, this will be to no avail. The people want to feel that they are gaining something. (Israeli prime minister) Sharon said the other day that he has authorized the army to take whatever it considered reasonable. Violence shall continue and Israel will not rest and the Palestinians and the area will not stable in this way. I hope that reason will prevail and makers would move in the way the peace process should take. |
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