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Thursday, April 24, 1997
Fellow citizens, As Egypt's flag was hoisted over Sinai on April 25, 1982, another immortal day of glory was added to the annals of history, wherein we restored the whole of our land after 15 years of fierce struggle. It is really a glorious day that derives its high significance from the epic of the great crossing, audaciously launched by our armed forces on October 6, 1973, to defend our land and dignity. It also derives significance from the great sacrifices. made by the Egyptian people in their persistent drive to restore their entire national territories. The land of Sinai was liberated and Egypt's flag was hoisted high all over Sinai, thanks to the valour of our courageous men who proved capable of accepting the challenge, as well as the sacrifices of a great nation who has offered over half a century 100,000 martyres, who willingly gave their lives on every inch of the land of Sina, thus giving evidence to the whole world that Egypt would never relinquish an inch of its territory. Egypt fought the October war for the sake of peace, the restoration of rights to their holders and the creation of new conditions in the Middle East that may help establish a just and comprehensive peace. Such peace would restructure relations among the peoples of the region on new grounds, ensuring good neighbourliness, balanced interests and equal security for all parties. Greetings to Egypt's armed forces which accomplished such a remarkable feat that broke up the status quo situation, changed the balance of power, paved the way for a just and comprehensive peace and enabled Egypt to restore the whole of Sinai. Greetings to Egypt's hero, President Muhammad Aware El Sadat who made the decision to launch the war in the interest of peace. The Egyptian people launched Sinai liberation war fully confident of the ability of the armed forces to attain victory. In their battle for peace, such confidence was no less in their ability to establish a just peace, and principles that may provide grounds for sound relations among the nations of the region. Right from the start, Egypt's goal was to achieve a comprehensive and just peace, that restores the occupied Arab lands, a fair settlement of the Palestinian issue in compliance with the aspirations of the Palestinian people and their legitimate ambition for an independant state, the realization of a historical reconciliation between Arabs and Israelis, and the restoration of stability and peace in the Middle East. So peoples may enjoy a peaceful life allowing them to build their future. Egypt has opted for peace, as a strategic goal, engaged courageously in its battle, and endured so many hardships to this end. Egypt is motivated by a deeply-rooted faith that peace is in the interest of the whole region. War would only result in catastrophies and tragedies, without reaching a decisive settlement of the struggle in favour of either party. The Egyptian Israeli peace has embodied the legitimacy of the Arab demand i.e. "Land for Peace", true commitment to peaceful co-existance, good neighbourliness. and mutual security. It also incarnated an ideal model of equal peace that successively stood fierce storms, as it was based on balanced rights and interests. The Egytian Israeli peace has stood out as it was a just peace that did not detract from the rights of either party. Such peace has restored the whole of Sinai and reasonably and rationally addressed the Israeli claims as to the issue of security. It left no chance for both parties to drain out their efforts and guaranteed honest commitment to honour the undertakings stipulated in the Peace Agreement and acceptance of the restoration of Taba in implementation of the provisions of international law. Brother and sisters, We are now faced by a crucial crossroads, as peace process is now passing through a serious test jeopardizing its potential progress. The great strides already taken proved to the states of the region and the entire world that ME peace is no longer an impossible objective, and it could become a fact of life, should the will for peace prevail over the legacy of worn out notions and mutual suspicions, should claims of hegemony and expansionism be discarded, and the narrow outlook dictated by shortsighted miscalculations be abandoned in favour of a broader outlook, exploring wider prospects of the future. I am afraid that the violence that has erupted in the occupied territories might escalate to dangerous levels, as a result of the sustained policy of settlement building and attempts to impose a de facto situation, in anticipation of the results of negotiations and encroaching upon Arab and Moslem rights in East Jerusalem. Unless motives of violence are seriously and objectively dealt with, the situation forebodes grave consequences because no single party, no matter how powerful or influential, could repel the wrath of a people who suffers the humiliation of encroaching upon his rights. It is our mission now to exert every possible effort to contain the situation and remove the causes of violence to block the way before the enemies of peace on both sides, who wish to abort the march, so that the bloody conflict might continue to drain the potentials of both peoples. I am sure that the majority of both the Palestinians and Israelis are still interested in the continuity of the peace process, and still nurture the hope for safe co-existence which would put an end to the residues of mutual fears and suspicion. Both parties have already made good progress towards the mutual recognition of their respective rights and there is no reason to justify regression from the right path under the pretext of clinging to worn out notions that are no longer compatible with a new era calling for freedom, asserting the rights of all peoples, and commitment to human rights. I hereby call upon all the powers of peace in the world to support our efforts to salvage the peace process in the Middle East and do their best to help reason, triumph and wisdom prevail. I urge our partners in the peace process to exert every effort possible in order to contain the danger before it aggravates. The alternative, as I repeatedly mentioned, is dangerous and dreadful. I also call upon the Palestinian people to transcend the feelings of frustration and despair and maintain their confidence that just peace will eventually prevail in spite of all difficulties and ambitious schemes. I also call upon the Israeli people to realise that nothing can be as valuable as peace and that co-existence, good neighbourly relations and recognition of other peoples' rights are the guarantees of real security in the relations among nations. I pray to God to crown our efforts with success so that a just and comprehensive peace can prevail in the entire region. Peace is not only in the interest of both the Arabs and the Israelis, but also of all the nations of the world. God bless you. |
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