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Saturday, April 13, 2002
President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak granted Akhbar-al-Yom Editor-in-chief Ibrahim Se'eda an interview last Wednesday. In his reply to claims that Egypt, by accepting a cease-fire, did not fully utilize October Victory, since it could have-as they claim- achieved the Arab Nation's goal of destroying Israel and throwing its people into the sea, President Mubarak said it is strange that such claims are circulated these days after several decades following October, 73. The Egyptian Armed Forces achieved in this war a stunning military victory which became a subject of study at the higher military academies worldwide. The Egyptian army achieved the stanning unexpected victory. The whole world at that time, was hailing the Israeli army which was equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated weaponry. And that world was taken by surprise that our armed forces succeeded not only in repelling the occupying Israeli forces but they could also step up its victories and strikes and inflicated on Israelis heavy losses unthinkable to the enemy commanders and unpredictable to the super powers in alliance with Israel. This unprecedented victory realized by our armed forces with its conventional capabilities, President Mubarak added, could very possibly have taken wider range and penetration, but we were surprised that the israeli forces were immediately after developing military actions for alleviating pressures on the Syrian front was provided with highly superior and sophisticated arms . It was obvious that these state-of-the-art offensive weapons were manufactured few months before the beginning of operations, which means that Israel was solely acquainted with the efficiency and destructive force of these weapons. We were exposed to counter so highly advanced weapons of huge destructive capability exceeding any military experience. We had only two options; either to proceed with the war that we have won and might turn against us due to our inability in coping with such advanced offensive weapons sent by the United States, or to suffice with what we have gained for ourselves and for the Arab nation of this unprecedented military victory on Israel and then utilize it diplomatically, politically and internationally for achieving the main objective of October war, that is liberating our occupied territories through negotiations on equal footing basis. Naturally,Egypt opted for the second alternative for several reasons: 1-The victory achieved by the Egyptian armed forces in October 73 war is the first and greatest achievement of the whole Arab nation against Israel over approximately the past half century. 2-Our keenness on that victory that stunned the whole world required that we should not exaggerate in our dreams, especially after we were surprised by the influx of highly developed US weapons with their personnel teams to Israel. It became obvious to us that such advanced weapons could reverse the situation altogether, and we had teh conviction that the next battle could not be as planned or expected. At the same time, we considered giving the Egyptian diplomacy its chance in exploiting our military victory to achieve what remained from our strategic objectives: militarily, morally and politically. 3-Our rational political decision was to accept a cease-fire after inflicting the first and heaviest military defeat on the Israeli army. That wise decision was in the interest of the Egyptian people. For we fought Israel as a state of approximately equal military capabilities, but as it became obvious that the most powerful state in the world,the U.S.A,had provided Israel with the most ferocious of modern weapons; the situation was estimated by our wise political leadership to be as necessary to cease the war. For the war has no longer become against the Zionist entity in Israel, but against the most powerful and migh best state in the world,the U.S.A that provided Israel, with advanced and sophisticated destructive weapons. One should know one's limits. It is unreasonable that we fight the most powerful state in the world, the USA, with all its potentialities and military capabilities which is impossible to encounter. 4 - Fully convinced with our political objectives, we deemed it necessary to stop the military activities and simultaneously activate our political capabilities to supplement what our armed forces had achieved. Consequently, Egypt launched the peace war, with the same capabilities employed in its military battle in which Egypt could deal the Israeli military forces the first and heaviest defeat. Similarly, the political battle launched by the Egyptian leadership finally enabled Egypt to restore every inch of land occupied in the 1956 and 1967 wars. In reply to a question about the misgivings expressed by some people that the brutality of the Israeli government against the Palestinian people can lead us to the trap of declaring war against Israel,a move encouraged by some Arab TV Channels unconcerned with Joint Arab interests, President Mubarak said he had repeatedly emphasized his dislike of issuing decisions just for the satisfying the layman in Egypt or the Arab world. All the decisions I had taken since assuming presidency were in my vision as well as in others, in the interests of the Egyptian people in particular and that of the Arab peoples and national causes in general. I am not seeking the applause of those who want to take us backward and I am not interested in media campaigns launched by unobjective opposition against Egypt’s policy or me. I know better what harms Arab causes and what is good for them because the picture before me is obvious with all its dimensions and facts. Some of those people demand, through Arab satellite TV channels, launching war against Israel in retaliation for its brutality against the Palestinians and destruction of their towns, villages and their infrastructure. I do not want to repeat what I have already reiterated once and again, and what I have said to all whom I have met whether in Cairo or in any of world capitals. In my view, violence begets nothing but more violence, and this is quite evident whenever the Israeli army acts violently and brutally against the Palestinians, as it is automatically responded by a suicide attack by a completely desperate and frustrated Palestinian youth. " Nobody encourages violence; no one is after killing innocent civilians, either from this or that side. However, the extreme policy adopted by Israel will never yield peace. On the contrary, violence and counter-violence doubled the toll of victims on both sides. What we witness now of rejection and denunciation to this cycle of violence, is not limited only to the Arab states, but it extended and spread in most world countries. Events have proved, over ancient and modern history, that war does not settle a dispute, and that peace is the objective of the masses, whatever is said to them or whatever some parties warn against its repercussions ", President Mubarak added. Al Akhbar-el-youm chief editor asked the President again:” there are rising calls at the Arab level as well as at home advocating the necessity of launching war against Israel in reprisal of its acts of aggression against the Palestinians. What would you say to such calls? “ The advocates of such calls and outcries do not know the meaning of launching a war. Only those who participated in wars know its dimensions and horrors, replied Mubarak I am the president of the Arab republic of Egypt, by a mandate from the Egyptian people to preserve its security and stability. I swore-in to observe the an achieving interests of the people, preserve the safety of its territories and open before the generations vistas of livelihood , comfort and security . It is my duty to which I am committed before my people, to be fully keen what the people expects from me . The people of Egypt have solely suffered more than any other people from perils, disasters and dilemmas of successive wars. I do not object to what predecessors did, but on the contrary, I may approve what they did out of their conviction that launching a war was then the only means available to rescue our brethren the Palestinians from their sufferings. Today, the situation is different and the means are different. As I said before, it has been proven that violence begets more violence, and consequently, war regard to the present goings-on between the Palestinians and Israel is of no avail and it will not realize the required security and peace. President Mubarak added that Egypt was the first to advocate that peace can achieve what the war cannot. This principle proved its effectiveness when Egypt negotiated, out of strength and not of weakness with Israel on the realization of peace and the peace talks ended with the restoration of the last inch of land occupied by Israel. And Jordan also did what Egypt did and later the Palestinian leadership was convinced of this attitude and surprised us with the Oslo deal sealed between Palestinian president Arafat and the Israeli prime minister, Isaac Rabin. The two parties , Mubarak added , could have achieved their people's aspirations of security and stability, but for circumstances and events, which were difficult to contain. Sitting at the negotiating table can solely end violence and counter-violence between the Palestinians and Israelis. That is what I have repeatedly said especially following every act of violence or counter-violence exchanged by the two parties . I will keep saying it and advising today and ever after, out of my conviction that peaceful solution is solely feasible to realize security and stability for the two parties . As for war , it has proved that it does not yield anything except more hatred and it alienates more than it approximates. President Mubarak added, "you ask me about the present outcries drumming up for war. I say that Egypt's army has no concern or objective except defending its country, protecting its borders and deterring any aggression targeting Egypt. Our armed forces have become, since a long time ago, capable of fulfilling its noble mission of defending the homeland, protecting its people and repelling its enemies, as stipulated in the constitution. Beside these deeply rooted principles, it is my duty to bring to attention that their Egyptian armed forces are not a mercenary army, and they do not fight for fighting sake. Egypt offered more than 120,000 martyrs and was afflicted with losses estimated by scores of billions of pounds. That forced us to delay the implementation of development plans, one after another. However, we do not regret what we offered, still offer and will offer, to our brethren, the Palestinians besides our everlasting and steady drive for alleviating their suffering and all our possible assistance to them for restoring their rights and sovereignty over their internationally admitted territories. The last question to president Mubarak by Akhbar Al Yom chief-editor Ibrahim Se'eda was" what about those who call for revival of the joint Arab Defence Agreement considering what is going on against the Palestinian people as adequate justification for reactivating this agreement? President Mubarak gave a brief reply," Have you read the texts of the joint Arab Defense Agreement? What these texts say is enough to answer the queries of those who are talking about it." |
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