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Sunday, October 05, 1997
President Mubarak’s Address on the 24th Anniversary of the October War Fellow Citizens, Although the history of Egypt is rich with multitudes of momentous events, the glorious October War stands out as a unique event of such great significance that its impact extends beyond the present to the innermost of the future and of such exallted value that it can truly be named as the feast of feasts. The October War has rectified the course of history in the Middle East, restored national dignity and unveiled the originality of national potential and crowned the sacrifices of the Armed Forces with a military daring action which will remain forever a source of pride for the coming generations. The glorious October War has considerably changed the situation in the Middle East region. It has put an end to the no-war and no-peace state, in spite of the endeavours by the super-powers had to impose a state of military relaxation in the region, within the framework of a new international entente that denied the Arabs' right to liberate their lands and restricted their capability of changing the status quo. The people rejected defeat, did not fall into the snore of internal conflicts and maintained its solidarity and unity in face of schemes and designs. It has adhered to its deep faith in the capability of its armed forces to restore the land and dignity. It provided full support to the armed forces and gave top priority to the liberation of the land ... despite the campaigns of terrification and attempts to spread despair among its ranks. The first spark of victory was the successful air strike that surprised the enemy's forces, paralyzed their thought and movement and destroyed the control and command cetres in the heart of Sinai. When the Great Crossing took place and the banners of Egypt were hoisted over Sinai, the fortified lines on the eastern bank of the Suez Canal collapsed. As the bridge heads were firmly implanted on the other bank of the canal, as high as lofty mounts, the legend was shattered down in a few hours. The illusion of "invincible power" was dissipated. The unparalleled miraculous performance of our armed forces brought about an extraordinary military action which shook up the Middle East and totally changed the prevailing concepts and theories. The war asserted to the world that the Egyptians and Arabs would never be a dead body without vision or power. Among it several lessons, the October War unveiled a number of significant facts: First: The Arab Nation is capable of achieving victory in battles of war and peace alike as long as it maintains unified ranks, solid and daring resolve, and faithhful intentions exclusively devoted to God and the homeland. Second: Military superiority is not an exclusive monopoly of a specific party; but rather a target that can be achieved with solid determination, right vision, well-planned and serious action, and commitment to teamwork in facing all probabilities. In the October War, the gap of power, which had been turned into a legend, was dissipated and the theory of Israeli superiority collapsed, thanks to ingenious military planning and valour of the Egyptian fighter who could overcome the shortage of arms and equipment with a rare spirit of sacrifice and high morale that enabled him to achieve victory. Third: The war has, further proved that the international situation - regardless of its influence - cannot smother the hopes of peoples to realize their legitimate aspirations, force them to submit to injustice, tyranny and humiliation nor unwillingly accept a fait accompli that encroaches upon their inalienable rights, simply because the inner power of peoples is much more greater than the forces of oppression and hegemony. Fellow Citizens, Security and stability in the Middle East region still remains in jeopardy. This situation requires full alertness, together with the ability to address various challenges with due power and still in view of the fact that Egypt shoulders a special responsibility for preserving balance and security in the region. However, the initial and final truth remains that despite humanity's yearning for a new better more balanced and equitable world. We are in fact living in a world that still witnesses many cases where power is used, the rules of legitimacy and justice are not yet respected and the strong encroach upon the rights of others, in the absence of ethical and legal deterent. These conditions make it incumbent on Egypt to maintain a strong deterent power to protect its national security. The October War lesson clearly tells us that had it not been for the efficiency of the Egyptian armed forces, it would have never been possible to persuade the other side of a settlement that would make a just and comprehensive peace in the region. The October War had definitely a decisive impact on the future of the Middle East. It further proved that it was impossible to resort to war as the optimum means of settling the Arab-Israeli conflict, which had drained the resources of the peoples of the region for about half a century. The October War has disclosed the true dimensions of the conflict, far away from the legends of power, idealogical dogmas and rampant schemes for hegemony and expansion. The war has proved to all parties that true security cannot be guaranteed by geographical expansion at the expense of others or by natural barriers however formidable they may be. Security is only guaranteed through objective, meaningful dialogue, mutual trust and peaceful coexistence within a framework of justice which protects the legitimate rights of all parties concerned. Tribute is due to Egypt's martyr, late President Muhammad Anwar Sadat who took such a courageous decision of breaking the state of no-peace-no-war and made the historical initiative that designated just peace as the obvious and noble objective of war; a peace based on justice, that realizes security for all parties and restore the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Greetings to the devoted martyrs of Egypt, who sacrificed their lives for this great victory which rectified the course of history and regained land and dignity. We pay homage to all brave men who took part in this glorious war in order to bring back respect and honour to the Egyptian military in one of the greatest battles of all times. Brothers and Sisters, The Middle East peace march which started after the 6th of October War resulted in an Egyptian-Israeli peace accord that gave equal rights to both parties. This march, which paved the way for negotiations at all levels on a basis of mutual recognition, acceptance of the Security Council resolutions Nos. 242 and 338, the Land-for-Peace principle and the political rights for the Palestinians, it is now subject to impending huge risks. Unless all parties join forces to salvage the peace process from the present stalemate, which has continued the last 15 months, the future seems fraught with such grave risks that make it difficult to calculate their consequences. There are real fears from the continued absence of mutual trust between parties concerned arising from defective policies. These fears lack sound sense and wise future vision and clear and true commitment to the signed agreements. Moreover, there is a sense of despair prevailing the peoples of this region, especially among Palestinians and Israelis due to acts of violence and terrorism committed against innocent lives besides the exaggerated reactions to these acts, represented in sanctions of siege and mass starvation. These could contribute to the weakening of the forces of moderation and peace on both sides in favour of groups of extremism, violence, and terrorism. We pin great hopes on the sincere and positive efforts undertaken by friendly international powers concerned with the situation in the region in order to get the peace process out of its current impasse and to act as an active partner based on its awareness of the importance of stability and security in this vital part of the world. We call upon all parties for sincere co-operation to get out of this impasse until the negotations on all tracks are resumed as soon as possible. As the continuation of the current stalemate is impossible and grave, the alternative is difficult and horrible as well. Along its lengthy course, the peace march has faced huge obstacles probably less serious than its current impasse. But I firmly believe that just peace will overcome all obstacles. Daily events have supported our belief that there is no alternative but peace because, it is the right choice for all peoples in the region. I believe that the correct way to confront enemies of peace is to get out of the current stalemate, resume negotiations on all tracks as soon as possible, seriously endeavour to remove all obstacles, stage a joint struggle against all forms of reciprocal violence and terrorism, take courageous decisions which have no reason to be delayed or procrastinated, commit honestly to agreements already signed, and get the parties of the peace process to respect thefact that peace is a joint responsibility based on the agreement of equal partners committed to sound bases and principles of peace. Brothers and Sisters, October War had a far-reaching impact on the international, regional and national levels. It was certainly a demarcation line between two eras in the history of national work. - The war has changed Egypt's priorities and made peace and stability the foremost objectives. Development also became the main concern of life, in compensation for the dreadful attrition that has drained Egypt over half a century, as a result of successive wars which left behind a heavy legacy fraught with problems. It also has changed the national spirit, as it enhanced the Egyptians' self-confidence, promoted their ability to face the challenges of the future and strengthened the spirit of initiative, keenness on proper planning, adopting modern technology and adhering to team work spirit. - The war has also redirected the course of the national work, as it paved the way for deepening the democratic path and created a proper climate for an overall review of the national work. It brought about a radical reform including policies, goals and methods of performance. Without such a reform, Egypt would have never been able to keep up with human progress. The effort exerted over the past few years in order to reform Egypt's national economy, motivate its citizens to participate in the development efforts and regain the world confidence including its major financial institutions would have not achieved such great successes without a stable, secure and peaceful environment, governed by sound democracy which emphasizes the rule of law, protects the freedom of thought and opinion, unleashes individual initiatives and enhances ties of cooperation with all on equal footing, observing the interests of the homeland. We have made a great progress, but our success to attain our goals still depends on our ability to protect the peace process from its enemies and maintain stability and security which are subject to scheming by several powers who exert all possible efforts to turn the clock back and push the region once more to the vicious circle of war and conflict. No matter how hard they try, the enemies of peace will never succeed in hindering the movement of history and drag the region once more to conflict as long as the peoples know their interests and adhere to peace as their proper goal that overweighs all goals and interests. I pray to God Almighty to support our steps to make peace victorious and prevalent in the Middle East. Peace is a heavenly message; it is life, progress, prosperity, justice and the bright future for our coming generations. May peace be upon you all |
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