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Thursday, May 01, 1997
Labour Day Brothers and Sisters This year, same as ever before, here comes our celebration marking Labour Day, as a good opportunity for us to review the track of national performance, to highlight aspects of success and challenge and to learn our lessons, as we are looking foreward to a new phase ushering Egypt into the Twenty-First Century, fully confident of its increasing ability to contribute to the progress of humanity. This year, we can say, with full confidence, we are entering a new era. It is an era of broad aspirations and national giant projects, which would provide a fresh breakthrough to Egyptian development efforts.These would change the style of life in Egypt, redouble its capability to meet the needs of citizens and open new vistas of national action. Accordingly, national action would be expanded over wider areas of our national territory, sowing the seeds of prosperity, wide-spread reconstruction and investing every available opportunity. It is now time for ambitions, goals and high hopes to be physically realized in Sinai, in the extreme north, where we are starting to cultivate around 500,000 feddans, whereby arteries of life are being spread over each spot thereof. In Toshki, in the extreme south, another giant project has been initiated as a nucleus for an all-embracing plan and vision, envisaging an overall change of the way of life south of the Valley, which suffers from overpopulation, poor means of subsistence and scanty cultivable area. In the Eastern and Western Deserts, work is underway in setting up new urban and industrial communities, where Egypt's metallurgical and other potentials are invested. Such high hopes would have never been turned into a reality, had it not been for the strenuous and sincere endeavours exerted by Egypt's workers and their dedicated efforts for the sake of the elevated standing of their homeland. Greetings to Egypt's devoted workers, builders of welfare, who are spreading the seeds of prosperity in several areas, that were once deserted and desolate, and are every day opening new vistas for the capabilities of the homeland to be enhanced and its national pride and glory to be firmly established. It was no easy task for Egypt to accomplish such tremendous achievement, that has enabled us to stand now at the starting point of a fresh breakthrough.The path was indeed rough and tough. Together in full trust in God's assistance we had faced its hardships, endured its burdens and pain and willingly accept its sacrifices. For fifteen years, reform efforts have been unceasingly carried out, remedying the chronic imbalance that had drained the treasury and crippled the national economy. These efforts were also intended to reconstruct the outworn and outdated infrastructure, to pass through a phase of comprehensive transformation aiming at liberalizing the national economy, building a new relationship of mutual trust between the citizen and states and fully opening the door for the private sector to restore its leading role in the development efforts. Our hardships were not confined to the heavy legacy left behind by the impact of consecutive wars on the national economy. Nor were these hardships limited to the numerous restrictions that had hampered Egypt's progress and prevented its thought from keeping pace with the developments of an age to come. The most hazardous of these hardships were caused by the complicity of treacherous foreign powers, that have instigated terrorist and deviationist groups against Egypt, in order to obstruct the progress of reform, block the road against the advancement of the homeland, drain the nation's energy into marginal battles and dampen its zeal for achieving its goals. Looking back across fifteen years in the past, one can recall how Egypt's conditions looked like, how huge were the difficulties and hazards obstructing the road to refrom. Casting a glance, with insight at the current situation, all that one should do is to prostrate oneself to Allah in recognition of His bounty and blessings. Thanks to Allah, Egypt has accomplished a comprehensive reform, disposed of a heavy legacy, broken off numerous restrictions that had fettered its ability to make a breakthrough, smoothly passed a hazardous period of transition and laid down the right underpining for an overall national awakening. Moreover, the chronic imbalance of the national economy has been remedied. Having been recovered, the national economy has now become, as recognized by the whole world, promising and capable of attracting more investments. Egypt's economy can achieve increasing growth rates that can adequately redouble national income once every ten years, meet unemployment problems and achieve a gradual qualitative improvement in the income and life of the Egyptians. Thanks to Allah, Egypt has managed to contain the tourist conspiracy. The phenomenon has been scaled down to its real size; merely mercenary groups working for foreign powers that stand against Egypt's stability or progress. At first, they attempted, without any success to export sectarian dissension to a country that takes pride and cherishes its tolerance and national unity. Following the abortion of their criminal scheming, they are now making a second attempt. However, the Egyptian people, Copts and Muslims alike, are fully aware of their mean and vile purpose, as well as the dimensions of the conspircay. Egypt's Copts are an intrinsic component of its national texture. They are honest citizens, who have the same rights and obligations as we have. Their rights are safeguarded as are those of any Egyptian.They are unaligned partners to a country that embraces tolerance, a nation that has learned, since the 1919 Revolution, that religion is for Allah and the homeland for all. Egypt has fought its battle for economic transformation with all its difficult aspects and engaged in fierce confrontation with terrorist and traiturous groups. On both fronts, Egypt has faced dangerous problems relating to national security. However, it has never shown any laxity with democracy, nor has it flanked its commitment to the rule of the law, nor resorted to stiffle the freedom of opinion or the press. It has relied, first and foremost on the awareness and trust of the Egyptian people in the integrity of their headlong march and the authenticity of its goals. Egypt has counted on the awareness of Egyptian workers and their responsible recognition of the nature of the period of transition and the difficulties entailed therein. In full recognition of the fact that, in the face of aggravated conditions there was no alternative to reform, the people have endured the sacrifices of the economic reform. In effect, honest citizens have stood out, defending the security and stability of the homeland, side by side, with valiant policemen against terrorist groups. And so did Egypt's workers, who have rightly grasped the reasons and requirements for reform.They were fully aware that reform was in the interest of both the workers and the homeland. It meant to rehabilitate the national economy, which had been long stricken with chronic disability, to enable the economy to cater for sustainable development, create new employment opportunities and improve living conditions for all Egyptians, particularly the working force, which is indeed the motive and creative power of development. Egypt's workers have refused to be carried out by dogmatic calls and claims that, while clinging to untrue slogans, still viewed the actual reality with closed eyes and minds. They rejected those defaming and slanderous campaigns that regarded reform as a regression from workers' rights and gains. They also turned down instigatory attempts designed to disseminate an air of unrest among their ranks. They, consciously and courageously, resisted attempts to dominate their trade union organizations by a biased minority who had sought to undermine the nation-wide status of such organisation with the purpose of scaling it down to mere tributaries for its illegitimate political activity. Now it has become clear to all that the promise we gave right on our first day was true. Time and again we have reiterated, on more than one occasion, that Egypt's workers would not be affected by the economic reform policies and that privatization of projects will not be at the expense of workers. It is the belief of the government and regime that rights and gains of Egypt's workers must be safeguarded an intrinsic responsibility and priority, which are inalienable and indisputable. The ongoing dialogue between the Government and workers, as represented by the Trade-Union Federation, on reforming non-performing companies, voluntary early retirement compensations, regulations, uniform labour law represent the apex of responsibility on the part of Egypt's workers. For they believe that it is their interest to have balanced and fair labour relationships which do not allow the interests of a single party to preponderate, and provide the proper climate for improving production, qualitatively and quantitatively, as well as the appropriate conditions for implementing modern object-oriented management systems, that view workers' unions as partners to production development and improvement efforts. It is no exaggeration, to say, today, that the successful achievement of progress in Egypt depends, to a great extent, on your efforts at work sites and your keenness for improving the quality of production and higher workmanship. It must be upgraded to match international quality standards, should we wish to be partners to global human progress, to exchange mutual interests and benefits with the world nations and have a fair share of world trade. To be frank, I would say that we can never realize a great breakthrough without redoubling at a regular rate the volume of our exports, by improving the quality of production to international standards. We are living in a new world, where economic standards and regulations are globalized and fierce competition over world markets is inflamed. As you are aware, the right starting point in any development exercise is to increase production and raise productivity. Failing this, it would be impossible to meet domestic expectations and have access to foreign markets. It would be further difficult to increasingly mobilize the country's human and physical resources, in order to guarantee sustainable progress, and upgrade the standard of living for all citizens and provide a better future for successive generations. The advancement of the homeland, depends, in the first place, on every working person, with his capability for increasing production, in terms of both quantity and quality, his keen interest in perfect workmanship, and strict commitment to quality standards and good performance. These are the facts that should make up a part of every patriot's conscience. This would be a safeguard to sustainable progress in a world of severe competition, and an asset adding to the reputation of a nation seeking an appropriate position in the headlong march towards progress, a nation that had contributed ingenious achievements to the legacy of human civilizations, where elements of perfect workmanship, creativity, science and expertise were harmoniously combined. I am confident of the ability of the Egyptian workers to restore the glories of their grand ancestors, who had earlier accomplished the great achievements of human civilizations. Of this I am confident because our workers do possess all such skills that make them qualified to improve the quality of national products to international standards. This achievement has already been made in a number of Egyptian industries, that have managed to firmly set foot on the world market, despite fierce competition, thanks to their commitment to quality, good workmanship and performance standards. Brothers and Sisters, I need not reassert the distinguished standing of Egypt's dedicated workers in any development exercise. They are the basic underpinnings of development, the builders of reconstruction and prosperity at every site. Without their devoted efforts, to talk about building and progress would be tantamount to sheer mixed dreams, which could never come true. Nor do I need to re-affirm the vital role played by the broad working base in providing social stability conditions for national performance, particularly during the phases of reform. This requires sustained efforts, that may bear fruit only after several years, during which time, such efforts normally impose on everyone burdens requiring that sacrifices and suffering be endured. It was Egypt's workers that have provided the basis for stability, which has given the track of progress the chance to achieve its goals. They have supported the reform programmes, in spite of the difficulties involved therein, and adopted a firm and decisive stance against desperate and skeptical claims, well-armed with a truthful national vision of the significance and necessities of reform. Hence, the progress of development, in all respects, becomes the charge of the working masses, whole heartedly accepted thereby, in deep allegiance to the homeland and full understanding of the interactive and interdependent relationships between the interest of the individual and the community. Based on the foregoing facts, it has been always my belief that the working forces, who should undertake the prime responsibility for development, should be the prime beneficiary of the success of any development enterprise. Being the prime contributor to its success and the greater majority and broad base of the community, they should gain the greater share of its fruits and positive results. In as much as they have undertaken the prime responsibility in realizing the goal of the awakening and the reinforcement of national build-up, they have the legitimate right to enjoy the fruits of their own labour and reap the harvest of progress. We do take pride in the performance of Egypt's workers and do appreciate their vital role on the arena of national performance over the passing decade. We are proud of their courageous endeavours, as they are forgoing their way into areas of most difficult terrain, building cities, urbanizing coasts, setting up plants, digging canals, reclaiming land, extending prosperity to each spot they set foot on. This is all done in the same patriotic spirit that had motivated their participation in preparing for the liberation battle and the grand historical crossing, we are proud of their national stand points, which represent a luminous chapter in the epic of national struggle, showing unceasing endeavours to build a powerful country with a solid coherent internal front, where the interests of all social segments are justly balanced, and the community imbibed with the spirit of Egyptian patriotism, which, being based on solidarity and tolerance, comes on top of any other allegiance. We do take pride in their persistent endeavours exerted over fifteen years of hard work. During this period, development plans were uninterruptedly carried out, to upgrade outworn production bases, rebuild infrastructure and establish firm grounds for a new breakthrough performance standards. Brothers and Sisters, Egypt's loyal workers, it was my stand point and firm belief, right from my first day in office, that there was no alternative to development, being a power to the homeland, prosperity to the citizen, and the right path towards progress and better living conditions for all citizens. It has been always my concern to realize stability, which is the prerequisite and firm ground of development, failing which it would be difficult to sustain and even cease to exist. As a result of stability, persistent endeavours, and vigilant follow-up in work and production sites, development efforts have been sustained. Production bases have been upgraded, infrastructure rebuilt and services spread far and wide all over Egypt. Economic reform has been accomplished and wider prospects were provided for the free market forces. The private sector had a significant role, as a basic partner to development efforts. Thus, the nation has witnessed that great achievement, which, otherwise would have never been made, had it not been for the climate of stability and the persistence and resolve that stimulated national performance in all domains. The history of Egypt bears witness to the fact that the loss of stability due to successive wars was the prime reason for the absence of sustainable development that would lead to the awakening of the nation. Apart from the first five years of the sixties, that witnessed the implementation of the first Egyptian development plan, we can notice a disruption, extending up to the eighties, in systematic development planning. This shortage could be successfully met by us, thanks to an interest in the future of national performance and the style of life on the land of glorious Egypt. As you recall, right from my first day of accepting office, I have called for adopting a global development approach based on scientific grounds. We drew up a clear-cut development strategy covering twenty years. Over fifteen years plans were continually carried out. As a result, national assets were increased and the utilities and infrastructure renovated with total investments of around L.E. 378.2 billion. These provided a firm basis for a national socio-economic awakening on all aspects of national performance and contributed to a positive and radical change of conditions. As a result of economic reform efforts, monetary and financial conditions have stabilized. Financing centre bases, including local savings and foreign investment have grown to unprecedented volumes. As an evidence, it would be sufficient to say that the volume of investment, in spite of its magnitude over the last fifteen years, was financed by local resources at a rate in excess of 85% and by foreign financing at a rate of less than 15% of which 50% was made in the form of grants. The budget deficit stood at less than 1% and will be sliding down to zero point. The exchange rate has been stable against major foreign currencies for 5 consecutive years and is getting more stable day after day. A surplus in the balance of payments has been achieved for several continuous years fulfilling all the requirements of development, backed by an appropriate reserve of foreign currencies Inflation rate dropped from 22% in 1991/ 92 to about 5.7% in January 1997. You may remember that, four years ago on the Labour Day, my speech was on the problem of foreign debts and our attitude in this regard. But now it is history. Long and short term foreign debts dropped to $ 28.5 billion after writing off the third tranche of the debt, which is off set by monetary reserve at the Central Bank totalling $ 19 billion. At the same time, the debt decreased to one third of the Gross Domestic Product, after being equivalent to the total GDP in 1981. As to the debt service, it does not now exceed 2% per annum of the GDP. Brothers and Sisters, The economic reform stage is almost finished, and a new stage has begun. As we are on the threshold of 21st century, we should maintain such achievements, reap its fruits and benefit from its positive aspects. To reinforce such significant financial monetary achievements is to provide the basis for stability which is the main pillar of our national revival. As the basic factors of revival have been established as indicated before, they are now exist in an almost complete form within the framework of giant national projects and programmes, represented in irrigation and reclamation projects in Sinai This will be, followed by establishing agricultural and mining industries, as well as tourist projects based on the wealth available in these areas. Then, I gave the starting signal to implement the giant Toshki project which is the main basis in forming south Delta. Though this project begins by reclaiming about 500,000 feddans, yet, it paves the road for intensive agricultural industries and tourist areas to be established linking the old valley to the new valley in the south west. This project will be extended to cover the new reclaimed lands in Al A'waynat, the north area of the oases up to Siwa oasis. Thus, we will be implementing the strategy of moving from the old valley to the wide expanse of the country with its land and latent wealth. Such national revival coincides with future migration to the east of Delta in Sinai and to the south west in Toshki and the oases to cover 25 % of our country's area. It is backed by the big leaps achieved in commodity production and services over the last 15 years. Agricultural production has managed, during the past stage, to restrain the rising consumer imports, and meet the increasing consumption requirements due to the increase in population and raising the standard of living. Due to horizontal expansion in agriculture, the cultivated area increased by 1.6 million feddans. Hence, urban areas extended outside the Delta to the east up to the Suez Canal, to the west to Al Daba'a along Al Hamam Canal, and to the south on the valley boundaries and round the Dam Lake. All this paved the way to the aspired extension to the south west. As to industry, production bases have been modernized and industrial production increased in all fields. In 1996/97, the private sector production accounted for about 76% of the total industrial production. Thus, it proved its eligibility to play its legitimate role in the development process and the big economic breakthrough, and to shoulder its social responsibility in providing productive job opportunities for honest citizens, as well as upgrading social services for the low-income brackets. On the other hand, the public sector management has been liberalized and enabled to go through competition, on equal footing, both domestically and abroad, free from restraints and hinderances. Thus, the grand takeoff is based on both sectors that equally depend on human resources as an indespensable fundemental element in production and reform. Within this context, we have to pay much attention to ensure wider industrial settlement in many areas outside the old cities. Hence, most industries have been settled in the new cities, and industrial zones totalling around 20 were established in various governorates in Delta and Upper Egypt. Brothers and Sisters, Human resources are the main and foremost basic factor of revival, failing which it is impossible to achieve any development project. We are proud of what took place in the past 15 years, where the Egyptian labour force increased to 17 million workers. This is a big asset capable, God's willing, of shouldering the burdens of revival. Naturally, development is based on qualified labour forces, in an age where science and knowledge are the major elements of production. So, the consecutive development plans provided all the educational and training capabilities that guarantee upgrading the skills of Egyptians. As an evidence, suffice it to point out that the number of students in pre-university general and technical education has increased by 7.5 million students to reach 15.5 million students. The number of higher education students has increased by around 709 students to 1.5 million. Educational and training programmes have been so upgraded as to provide qualified and trained manpower, capable of development and innovation. In addition, more than 6 thousand new schools have been established, and equipped with educational, sports and technical facilities required for basic skills. This has enabled us to introduce technological facilities such as the computer and advanced science laboratories and adopting new techniques to improve curricula in the broad sense of the word. On the other hand, the State is interested to providing health services all over the country, especially those rendered to workers. The number of public and central hospitals has increased to 219, while rural health units have risen to 2360 units. Brothers and Sisters, Egypt's loyal workers The world is now witnessing a flux of great changes, as a result of the scientific and technological progress made, based on research, development and creation, causing a great revolution in various sciences and knowledge in this way, no nation will be allowed to live in isolation of events and developments taking place around it. Entering the forthcoming century, characterized by open market, where commodity and service products compete, makes success definite for the best in quality and performance and least in cost. We have to prepare ourselves to be more capable of facing challenge and better established in international market. Frankly, no country has achieved a significant progress during this century after it has given special attention to the individual so as to enable him to use his mind and skills, and upgrade his capabilities. Thus, we must pay more attention to our workers, their abilities, guarantee their incomes and enable them to gain more opportunities of education and advancement. Right from the first moment, we have maintained a firm interest in safeguarding the real income of workers against decrease during the phase of economic reform, based on, our belief that the social dimension is a top priority which must be preserved. Since 1987 the government has been keen on increasing incomes annually to face inflation. Wages of public sector companies mounted from L.E 1700 million to L.E. 9831 million with an annual average rate of 11.3%. For several past years annual wage increments for workers have exceeded the gradually declining rate of inflation. This could contribute directly to a rise in real income and consequently in the standard of living leading to higher levels to be achieved year after year by limited-income brackets. The number of workers increased, over the past 15 years, by around 5.3 million with a growth rate of 2.8% per annum. This ever-increasing growth in employment opportunities was due to major expansions resulting in the establishment of several project, in addition to the constant improvement in the investment climate, the implementation of the rural development and Social Fund programmes. Although labour force has grown to around 17.4 million workers up to the current year, new job opportunities were created to contribute to the increase of employment rates in the past years from 90.8% to 91.2%. Consequently the unemployment rate decreased from 9.2% to 8.8%. During the last three years (1994/95-1996/97), the annual increase in labour force was fully employed, and the balance of unemployment was decreased. Thus, concerted efforts aiming at curbing unemployment, either by providing job opportunities or funding, will remain a corner stone of development strategy during the coming stage. Naturally, the removal of investment obstacles will result in attracting more investments and savings from the sisterly and friendly countries which can participate, in collaboration with local capitals, in the development efforts on all tracks. This will ensure acceleration of production and opening of wider work opportunities. Nevertheless, we have to affirm that the next century's worker is ultimately different from the last century's in terms of qualification, skills, abilities and prodution tools. Therefore, we have to begin with the removal of a major obstacle which precludes the optimum utilization of manpower; that is illiteracy. So, our basic and pressing target is to eliminate illiteracy of workers and the entire population in general for the sake of development and production increase. Undoubtedly, the achievement already made in this respect is worthy of appreciation, especially when the preliminary results of the November 96 census showed that illiteracy decreased by about 11% although population increased during the last ten years by more than 20%. Yet, it is still our duty to speed up and mobilize all the capabilities to completely eradicate illiteracy by the beginning of the next century, God willing. Brothers and Sisters, I reiterated and still do that any worker will not be injured by the economic transformation and privatization. Controls were set to ensure commitment by investors not to liquidate the company, submit a programme to modernize and develop its products and facilities and maintain its employees. If he finds redundant manpower, he should define it in advance. The holding company will be responsible for finding other jobs for those interested, or paying rewarding compensations for those who freely choose to quit. In this respect the trade unions' demands concerning early retirement were approved on the basis of reaching accommodation between the companies' economic status on the one hand and the workers' interests on the other provided that the compensation to make should be rewarding and adequate to secure the income the worker expected when he joined his job. It was agreed that these regulations will be initially applied only to non-performing companies. Moreover, 10% of the public sector companies' shares were floated to their employees. These shares are to be sold at reasonable prices, and to be repaid over ten years free of interest. Unions of shareholding workers have been already established and started their activity by acquiring shares in 31 companies, which accounts for almost one half of the privatized companies. Consequently, these unions which group 115,000 employees bought shares at a value of L.E 418 million. On the other hand, the Egyptian reform programme has embarked into a new pioneering practice where the ownership of 10 land reclamation companies was transferred to their employees who were trained by government bodies to manage and develop these companies. Shares owned by these employees amounted to L.E 246 million. This experiment achieved outstanding results as the companies scored a tangible increase in revenues, rationalized their expenditures and succeeded in raising the annual dividend from 7% to 16%. Brothers and Sisters, Egypt's successful foreign policy has boosted its status as a leading country of the region and enhanced its position among the friendly, sisterly countries, as well as at the international area. It adopted the strategy of peace and stability in the Middle East on the principles of legitimacy, rules of law and equal rights and obligations of nations, namely their right to balanced and equal security that prevents aggression, deters hegemony and preserves peace and stability. Thus, the efforts of development can be sustained in a secure climate. Unfortunately the peace march is exposed now to severe, stormy dangers that threaten its continuity. Of all the previous obstacles and hardships faced by the peace efforts these are the most difficult. Furthermore, they not only jeopardize most of the achievements of peace, but also let the doors wide open to dangerous probabilities. We drew attention more than once to the consequences of impairing justice and defying of legitimacy because peoples do not accept a peace that cannot fulfill their inalienable rights and legitimate aspirations. Once and again we made it clear that violation of the barely-achieved, hair breadth agreements would only consecrate absence of confidence, augment mutual suspicions, impair good will and abort any hope in the future. We made it clear more than once that the consequences of anticipating the results of negotiations and the attempts of imposing fait accompli to forcibly elicit the acceptance of the other party would impair joint responsibility for the peace process and damage the principle of equality. We reiterated that encroaching upon the peoples' rights to their sanctities would inflame religious feelings and push the peace issue into a dangerous, dark tunnel. On all these occasions, I had in mind a clear and sincere purpose, i.e. to avoid massive hazards looming in the horizon as a result of the absence of balanced interests, that guarantee equal rights to all parties, lack of justice that guarantees sustainable and firmly-established peace and absence of commitment to the proper peace reference as confrimed by the Madrid Formula, namely the land-for-peace prinicple. Violence, escalating in the occupied territories because of the ongoing construction of settlements and encroaching upon the rights of Arabs, Muslims and Christians in East Jerusalem, should have been avoided by removing reasons and factors justfying it. As it would waste away the achievements of peace realized on the Palestinian track and create an atmosphere inimical to peace and co-existence. Unless wisdom prevails, logic triumphs, the imposition of fait acccompli stops and mutual confidence is regained, dangers will be aggravated and the situation will be worse, since disappointment, frustration and the ever mounting feeling of injustice would lead peace to uncontrollable and serious dilemma. Not less dangerous is the current stalemate on all negotiation tracks which would induce enemies of peace on both sides to continue their attempts to completely ruin the peace process and to drag the region to a dangerous turning point which nobody can foresee its consequences. Of all, we are the keennest to establish just and comprehensive peace that realizes security and stability to all the nations of the region since we are the best to know the calamities and destructive effect of war. It was for the sake of peace that we fought, rather than for encroaching upon rights of others. Courageously, we entered upon the path of peace. It was rugged path that all dreaded to set foot on. We had endured numerous adversities until peace became for all the peoples of the region such an option that they adhered to, defended and tried to set its process on the right track. We have been always seeking just and comprehensive peace, because in the absence of justice, peace will not last. A peace that does not encompass all parties, remains incomplete, highly volatile and besiged by dangers on all sides. We shall maintain our stand, defend our proper conception of a just and comprehensive peace, resist the attempts to hamper its progress and persist in putting the peace process on track once more. We are concerned about stability in the region, the interests of all its peoples wishing for a better future for the coming generations. Brothers and Sisters, We have exerted strenuous efforts to rebuild a country hard-stricken by calamities, hardships and successive wars that had encumbered and hampered its progress and kept it lagging behind the course of development. Although the burden was so heavy, we never gave up; the road was desolate, but we were aware of our ends; the legacy was cumbersome, but we possessed a firm determination. We were confident of Allah's support because we work only for the welfare of the nation in broad daylight. We do believe in justice, staunchly defend the right side, support the helpless. We act in favour of the overwhleming majority of our people, and preserve the dignity and integrity of our nation, staving off possible dangers by all means. Our souls are pure of dishonest intentions. We defer to Allah's commandments, seek no gain or privilege, fight corruption, and support every honest and constructive effort. I was confident of the people's support and backing because we are indirect touch with their troubles, live their lives, feel their pulses and exert all possible efforts torealize their aspirations for a powerful nation with abundant prosperity overflowing on all its social classes; a nation shining down on the world. We have unchained the nation of weighty shackles that had hindered the people's march and fettered them to the ground. We have lifted many effort-exhausting burdens off their shoulders and unleashed their potentialities and initiatives to contribute to the development of the country. We released the citizen's will from fear, to enable him to regain his self-confidence and trust in his homeland, feel secure about his present, future and property and end up his isolation in favour of public participation, through words and action, within a democratic climate, governed by the rule of law. We did break off the chains of isolation, to allow Egypt to become a part of a progressive world, where it can share human progress, exchange, on equal footing, without restrictions or complexes, interests and benefits with all countries of the world. We have always been on maintaining Egypt as it has, ever been, a torch of light; illuminating, through tolerance in the fields of thought and faith, the wide expanse of the world, supporter of legitimacy; standing out in defence of the right and law wherever they exist and the conscience of its Arab world; safeguarding pan-nationalist consensus; upholding values and principles, protecting its supreme goals and providing assistance to all brothers. Brothers and Sisters, We feel now satisfied, as the ship of national performance has landed safely on secure terra firma. Having passed through rough seas, tumaltous thunder storms, it has never lost its right direction and has never gone astray. The ship of national performance has safely arrived in time, at the point, where it should be ready to start a new voyage, blessed by the Grace of Allah, into the vast seas of the twenty-first century, fully confident of its ability to should the burdens of survival. In full sail, the ship will be moving in secure seas, towards a prosperous future fraught with hope. We feel satisfied, because we have honoured our promise and abandoned none, and regained the nation's pride, standing, stability and security. We have helped our country proceed forward across a difficult, probly the most difficult, phase of its modern history. At the threshold of the Twenty-First Century, Egypt is now a strong country, capable of coping with human progress, proceed along the right path towards a new era of prosperity and welfare. We feel satisfied, as we are setting things right, so that the nation will have the upper hand over the government. The citizen will be the focus of attention, and to meet his hopes and aspirations should be a commitment to all. He should be able to have his fair share of state care, without bribery or mediation. We feel satisfied, because we have been faithful to Allah and the homeland. We have reinstated the value of labour, exerted every possible effort and endured many hardships and sacrifices in order to pass through the bottleneck. That was the exertion of the entire nation rather than of an individual, a single party or group; a nation marching foreward in coherent solidarity, patiently and courageously enduring the sacrifices of a difficult phase, fully confident of its rightly-oriented path. Brothers and Sisters, On your Day, we renew our pledge and resolve to make sincere work solely for the sake of Allah and the homeland our governing charter, in order for us to realize our high hopes, in line with the Divine words of the Holy Qur'an: And Say (unto them): Act: Allah will behold your actions, and (so will) His messenger and the believers" May Peace and Allah's mercy be upon you |
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