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Sunday, October 06, 1996
Brother citizens, Brothers and sons of the armed forces: Despite its many immortal days, Egypt's history has not witnessed a more glorious day than that of October 6, the day of dignity and honour. It is the day of sacrifice, the day of the great crossing which restored the glories of the Egyptian military. It has also restored self-confidence and potential to the Egyptian people and the entire Arab nation. It has opened the eyes of the world to new facts that dispersed many illusions and myths, and rectified the course of history in the Middle East. Salutation to Egypt's loyal martyrs who shed their pure blood to attain this victory, retain Egypt's pride, maintain its prestige and confirm to all that Egypt will not accept a fait accompli, and with the sacrifices of its sons, is capable of changing it. Salutation to all those who took part in the great crossing, officers and soldiers wherever their positions are at present, for they have achieved a miraculous act when they were able to storm the Canal, the most difficult natural barrier, bombard the Bar Lev fortifications, erect bridgeheads as solid as the high mountains of Sinai, and hoist Egypt's banner high along the east coast of the Canal and in the depth of Sinai till the passes. Salutation to all those who took part in the land, sea and air battles and made the glorious October War a complete set of ingenious performances by all branches of the armed forces in an integrated plan taking the initiative, maintaining precision in execution and realizing their objectives fully. Egypt will never be a dead body but rather will continue to be an impregnable force, inaccessible to the ambitious and malicious, despite the international situation which sought to maintain a state of no-peace no-war, consolidating a fait accompli and disparaging the Arab capability of altering it. Perhaps one of the great successes of President Sadat was that he had set a clear-cut target for the glorious October War, namely, peace based on justice. Peace that realizes equal security to all parties and make the Palestinian cause the centre of international concern as it is the crux of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Brothers and Sisters, Twenty-three years have elapsed since the glorious October War which means a whole generation has not witnessed this war which restored to Egypt its prestige and forced Israel to withdraw from every inch of Sinai. It has paved the way for a just settlement to the Middle East problem which has attrited the potentials of the region for over half a century during which the Egyptian people have sustained great sacrifices. It has overloaded national economy, delayed development plans, hindered reform projects and eventually all utilities and infra-structure dilapidated. It is a confirmed fact that the wonderful achievements of the Egyptian armed forces during the October War would not have been realized had it not been for the sacrifices of these great people who rejected defeat and supported the army by all means believing in its capabilities to achieve victory despite international circumstances and the difficult military situation. The great Egyptian people have refused to be indulged in despair, adhered to national unity, and continued to believe in the potentials of its armed forces in restoring land and dignity whatever the difficulties and sacrifices. When the great crossing took place and the armed forces stormed the Suez Canal, pulled down the huge sand barrier, destroyed the Bar Lev line and its impregnable fortifications, hoisted the Egyptian banners throughout Sinai, Egypt restored its strength and dignity, and many illusions and myths were shattered in the battlefield. The state of no-peace no-war came to an end, the arrogance of force and the claims of hegemony and superiority were dispersed. Everyone was certain that power alone, no matter how formidable, cannot realize complete security, and that the road to security and stability is a just and comprehensive peace that gives each one his rights, puts an end to injustice, and establish relations among nations and peoples based on free will and mutual acceptance. Brothers and sisters, We now witness critical regional and international circumstances that require us to be more cautious particularly with the advent of new variables which may affect stability in the Middle East for long years to come. It is a sort of self-deceit to rely on good intentions in fate-determining issues related to Egypt's peace and security. It has been an established fact to all that the strength of Egypt is the mainstay of peace and stability in all the Middle East, and that its security depends on its ability and self-reliance to protect its potentials. History has taught us that it is necessary for Egypt to possess a strong army capable of realizing peace and defending stability, and not a strong army of aggression, for we live in a region still being exposed to numerous dangers and serious threats which require from us to maintain enough defensive potentials and avail us of the opportunity to assume this vital role which no one candisparage or doubt its objectives. The recent armed forces manoeuvres " Badr 96 " have revealed a high degree of planning, execution, and coordination among all branches of the armed forces in a bid to attain our targets. They also revealed superior battle skills and the warrior's increasing potentials to assimilate all modern combat methods in addition to development in methods of command and control which have efficiently covered the widescale fields of operations in which all sorts of weapons were used. So once again I salute our valiant armed forces and their command who by all criteria have shown a high degree of performance and efficiency. Brothers and Sisters, Once again we reiterate that we want a comprehensive and just peace that realizes a balanced security for all parties and puts an end to a conflict that has attrited the potentials of the region for over half a century. A peace that avails the peoples of the Middle East of the opportunity to develop their resources and improve living conditions of its inhabitants. We actually hope that the October War would be the last , because wars mean internecine destruction and attrition, and is to no one's benefit. However, peace cannot be deeply - rooted in the absence of commitment to the basics of a true settlement endorsed by the international community and agreed upon by all the concerned parties at the Madrid Conference. Peace cannot be established or be deeply - rooted in the absence of commitment to agreements concluded before the entire world, and in the absence of a sincere wish to implement all provisions and rules without exception or hesitation. From this standpoint, we have called for a serious drive on the various tracks prior to the convocation of the Cairo ME Economic Conference next November, starting by an honest implementation of the previous agreements and the establishment of a sound basis for an effective and prosperous regional cooperation. The peace process is currently facing numerous obstacles and difficulties, and is exposed to detrimental attempts by many of its enemies. However, we are confident that it will surmount all obstacles and defeat its enemies, because peace, despite all these difficulties, is the right option wanted by all peoples of the region, and the entire world. It is the language of an new era, that rejects all claims of hegemony and domination, and insists on the commitment of the international community to the rule of law and legitimacy. Brothers and sisters, The triumph of peace in the Middle East is the triumph of the will of its people who want a comprehensive and just peace that will put an end to this bloody conflict which has attrited their potentials. Peace is surely the triumph of the Egyptian people's will, that made it their message to all peoples of the region. Under the umbrella of peace it was possible for Egypt, for the first time in its history , to implement three consecutive development plans, rejuvenating and reconstructing its utilities. Peace has placed Egypt on the threshold of a true take - off stage. Had it not been for peace, it would have been impossible for Egypt to proceed along the road to democracy, freedom of the press, the sovereignty of law, the consolidation of pluralism by giving all parties equal opportunities with doors wide open to the freedom of opinion and thought. The October War has changed many concepts in our world . However, its greatest advantage is that it has restored to Egypt its self - confidence, made it capable of facing challenges successfully, and proceed with development efforts in an atmosphere of peace . It has preserved Egypt's prestige and historic role as a pioneer state bearing a transcendental message to the people's of the Middle East and the entire world. Egypt will continue to consolidate a just peace having confidence in its capabilities to rectify its course because peace is life and is the future. It is man's message on earth and God's will to mankind. It is the foreseeable hope of all peoples of the region. May God Almighty support our endeavours and crown our march with success so that peace may prevail in the region, and the banners of peace may be hoisted high in the four corners of the world. |
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