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Saturday, November 15, 1997
President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak Speech to the Joint meeting of the People’s Assembly & the Shura Council Brothers and Sisters, Members of the People's Assembly and Shura Council, Our meeting today takes place at the start of a new session of your august council to renew our pledge together to further Egypt’s march towards progress and to attain our people's objectives, work hand to in hand alleviate hardships, raise the standard of living, maintain peace and security, and consolidate the mainstays of a continual renaissance that enables our people to be at the heart of mainstream human progress. I have been accustomed to be quite frank with you and to be a just arbitrator between all bodies, advocating the values of rights and justice, siding with the national majority, and strenuously working for the progress of our nation in order to hand over Egypt to the coming generations in a better position, a strong nation committed to progress and embarking onto the third millennium taking part of the march towards the future. It has been a pledge to the people to preserve and take into consideration their interests and goals in making decisions, creating a balance among all their categories, supporting the weak and the oppressed, widely opening doors before widescale participation, advocating the values of democracy, and consolidating human rights. Your august council has played a prominent role in this respect by being an example of an elevated parliamentary performance in which all parties express their viewpoints and stablish dialogue according to the principles and spirit of the Constitution and the law. This encourages all categories of the society to be keen on rectifying their course by sound democratic means. I came today, brothers and sisters, to talk about the near future whose beginnings are at hand, and steadily proceeds from a glorious present rife with work and achievement. I do not intend to spread out calculated or uncalculated indications of optimism and hope though our people is entitled to reap the fruits of its efforts. However, I have primarily intended to envisage together the volume of the task that we should embark on in order to secure the suitable position worthy of Egypt and its future amidst a world reformulating itself, in circumstances of fast-growing variables, where many firmly established facts are being destabilized and, fierce competition prevails that leaving progress confined only to the strong and the rich who possess the wealth of knowledge and potentials. Secondly, I meant to draw the attention of the state institutions and the society to their major role in consolidating progress in Egypt firmly established upon strong basis and not merely intermittent pulses that ebb and flow and are not mainstays of a continual revival that secures perpetual progress. Thirdly, I intend to underline that battles of the future should be given top priority. It is both unreasonable and unacceptable to dispense with our effort and energy in old battles propagated by advocates of backwardness who fan its flames after it has subsided in a bid to deviate our endeavours away from a changing world and challenges of a future close at hand. Brothers and Sisters The future is imposed upon us as hardly as ever. We cannot afford the luxury of misreading its movement and indications because we are living in an era of unprecedented fast breaking variables governed by the strong influence of economy, knowledge and information, competitiveness and the hegemony of formidable entities. We face a world of a more intricate network of interactive relations and dealings availing the opportunity of progress only to those who are capable of siezing it strongly and efficiently. Over and above we confront many domestic challenges that make it incumbent upon us to master all potentials so as to be part of the vanguards of human progress. With the advent of the 21st century we have to accept the challenge and siezing the opportunity in dealing with the future. Egypt is prepared to enter a new stage represented in an important cultural transformation that realizes more progress for its sons and places it in a better position in the world. This generation's duty is to safely and successfully realize this transition towards a bright future. We cannot afford the luxury of waiting because the future is no longer the advent of the unknown created by wishes and hopes or dependent on the will of others. It is closely linked to our present deeds which determine the features of the future. We cannot miss any available opportunity of success because in so doing we would do away with immense efforts exerted over the past years. It is our duty to move forward with full awareness and without hesitation. We should take the right steps with confidnce in our ability to attain our goals, bearing in mind the latest great achievements, the people's capability of accepting the challenges and dealing with the variables and necessities of the future, their full awareness of the requirements for this purpose, namely, a deep insight into all aspects of life, armament with knowledge and science, making use of modern methods and technology in the service of mankind and progress. No one is worthier than us in contributing to this change. Egypt is the link and bridge of understanding and cooperation not out of a void but rather throughout history in this important region of the world . It is the destiny of this generation to break the monopoly of progress, open closed doors, determine the future and realize the aspired upsurge completing its successful march which rectified Egypt's economic position, restored its international prestige, and unleashed the Egyptian people's energy and initiatives thus making them once again a positive factor in the march of international progress. We have managed to set up a giant infrastructure that has been a mainstay of the most important stage of economic reform. We have, also, managed to get out of the bottleneck and stand on firm ground with a promising economy, imposing itself on world business, financing and investment circles. Moreover we were capable of providing a new type of infrastructure that can be a basis of a sustainable Egyptian revival where sons and grandsons find an opportunity to a limitless take-off towards the vistas of a coming epoch according to the following guidelines: First: Implementing giant national projects covering all Egyptian provinces and changing the nature of life therein. In the north the Nile waters have crossed into Sinai last month for the first time in history to irrigate some 620,000 new feddans east and west of the Suez Canal. In the south, in Toshki, a new giant edifice meant to be the project of the next century, will create a new valley to the Nile providing an opportunity to cultivate in phases about half a million feddans in stages, create an integrated civilization parallel to that of the Nile Valley. Actually 14 kilometres of Sheikh Zayed Canal has been dug and the giant lifting station, which cost L.E 2 billion, started operating. In addition, work has started in Al Owaynat project which aims at cultivating 200,000 feddans by means of subsoil pure water that is sufficient for irrigation for a complete century. Moreover, studies are underway to exploit the new iron or are mines discovered south east of Aswan, with reserves estimated at about 483 million tons. If we proceed east towards the Gulf of Suze we find a huge duty free area, providing job opportunities to tens of thousands of Egyptian youths. It ushers Egypt into the age of high technology and doubles Egypt's share in international trade. All these giant projects constitute the infrastructure of a new future that changes life in Egypt, gets it out of the narrow strip of the old, densely populated valley to the vast stretches of the entire country. It innovates methods for dealing with the deserts, for irrigation, agriculture, mining, urban expansion to cover the largest area of Egypt bearing in mind environmental factors, redistributing population to resolve the problem of overpopulation, and realize new potentials that change the topography of Egypt, and achieve a unique cultural transformation unprecedented in its history. Second: Our thoughts and actions are focused on the role of Egyptian youth as they are half of the present and the whole of the future. This was behind my insistence, since the first day I assumed office, to refuse temporary or partial solutions that do not deal with the core of the problems. We refused to confine ourselves to the past dogmas though we sympathize with their events and memories. The present and the future necessitates a new outlook compatible with variables in life and development requirements. We clearly insisted on providing the coming generations with a better situation than the one we received, and a nation more capable of realizing their ambitions in a brighter future. The question which repeatedly astonished me was what shall we do for the sake of Egyptian youth? My clear-cut reply was that all what we do is actually for their sake because we deal with the present situation and problems with the future in mind. Our goal is to build a strong nation more capable of realizing the ambitions of the coming generations. Third: The country in its new image is not merely giant projects for building the future rather includes plans, ideas and programmes in which the Egyptian is its focal point as he is the most valuable and eternal wealth of the nation. The Egyptians, who controlled the Nile waters, clinched a green valley from the claws of the desert, and set up since the dawn of history huge edifices of civilization which were beacons of human progress, are our aim and goal. They are the future wealth that should be the object of investment, preserving their rights, maximizing their potentials, and creating for them a favourable and encouraging for innovation and distinction. Our first responsibility towards the Egyptian is to provide him with the minimum requirements of a respectable life with the basic demands of health, education and other services. This is an inalienable task that the state cannot overlook because social justice enhances ties in the society, maintains the unity and coherence of the national fabric, strengthens the sense of belonging, and renders every citizen an effective member of the society, wishing for his country what he wishes for himself, and is aware that his future is contingent upon national progress. The tendency to change towards a free market economy and reshaping the role of the public sector in production does not mean that the state has given up its responsibility and duty to control and create a balance among the interests of all categories. Our final goals is to build a strong society closely knit free from class and group conflicts, maintaining the rights of every individual, preventing the encroachment of the strong on the weak, advocating justice and the sovereignty of the law, and gives priority to social justice rather than to the privileges of the elite. Future society will attain progress only by the coming generation which considers education and training a necessity of life. Our responsibility towards the future of this country is to create generations capable of confronting challenges of the future, possessing independent thought and opinion, and armed with profuse knowledge, and enlightened intellect which give rein to innovation and an initiative spirit. Hence, the development of education and training in Egypt should continue to be the greatest national project. It should take place within the context of comparison with the educational systems of the world. Progress is contingent upon a broad and intensive scientific base linked to labour at all levels and promotes its numerous specialized potentials, thus raising productvity. Fourth: Among the major necessities of this era is to redouble our capabilities to introduce high-tech in all aspects of life. The capability of any society to develop its national economy and occupy a prominent position in the world today depends on the degree of technological progress. This progress allows the society to increase the gross national product at high and sustainable rates. It realizes a considerable upsurge in the individual income average, ensures a just distribution of this income in the interest of the multitudes, particularly limited income brackets. Briefly speaking assimilating high technology is the means to ensure improvement and a great upsurge in incomes of all members of the society. It should be clear that development of which we speak does not merely mean the transfer of technology, but rather the continued capability to transform scientific knowledge, we obtained from others, into production technology, and develop it by our knowledge and skill and create renewed versions and successive generations of technology without the need to import it from abroad. This is not difficult for Egypt which has distinguished and specialised scientists in all branches of technology and its scientific infrastructure. This high level group comprises more than 45,000 holders of the highest degrees in Egypt and abroad. They represent researchers, teaching staff at scientific and technological centres, and at universities throughout the country. We should benefit from them within the context of a comprehensive plan for the promotion of technology in Egypt including spheres of high and sophisticated technology. Universities and the various research centres should establish links with the most advanced centres abroad, and with Egyptian expatriate scientists to encourage them to contribute to researches in Egyptian institutions. Those working in the fields of industry and agriculture should direct their interests towards using technology in the development of means of production and distribution. They should also form units to follow-up the use of technology in every production establishment. Appropriations for research and development should also be increased. This will in turn increase the demand for technology. Lastly, information media should have an effective role in raising the public awareness of the important role of technology in contemporary life through inviting top specialists in advanced technology to inform and acquaint the various categories of the people with the numerous benefits of technology which include advanced electronics, bio-technology or genetic engineering, and new and renewed energy. Suffice to say that by assimilating genetic engineering technology in Egypt during the recent years resulted in the increase of productivity in each feddan of wheat at a rate of 325% comparing to that of 1952, and a rate of 350% in each feddan of corn. Moreover, preparing the soil by means of Laser rays has saved 15% of the water used. I would like the People's Assembly and Shura Council to take part, together with the competent public and private institutions and all intellectuals, in laying down a clear and integrated vision of means of realizing this goal in both the near and distant future, and prepare strategies and programmes to serve this national objectives and if necessary seek the help of foreign institutions and firms which have a long experience in developing and using high technology. Fifth: That considerable increase in production resulting from the expansion in the use of high technology does not achieve progress unless it is accompanied by a big upsurge in Egyptian exports which are still below the required level. It is the duty of producers and official bodies to work around the clock in order to change this situation and redouble the volume of industrial and agricultural exports several times periodically. Sixth: We should be aware that our success in this great civilizational upsurge requires more efforts to develop the Egyptian villages where 34 million Egyptians dwell. We should pool efforts to lay down and implement a national and comprehensive programme for integrated rural development which includes the reconstruction of the village on new bases whereby it can expand to accommodate population growth without encroachment on agricultural land, thus creating a healthy atmosphere for its inhabitants and protecting them from disease. The village should also be provided with the necessary educational and cultural services that help to narrow the gap between them and urban communities. It is quite obvious that this programme is immense and requires concerted efforts of the government, non-governmental organizations and individuals. Seventh: We should give top priority to the development of Upper Egypt governorates which have remained for long centuries outside the circle of developmental endeavours, and basic services as if they have been totally forgotten. The total investments allocated to sewage projects in all these governorates did not rise above zero until 1952. As for investments in the field of potable water they did exceed LE 9.5 million. This image is steadily changing. Investments in these two spheres in Upper Egypt from 1982-1997 have reached about LE 2500 million including LE 1500 million for potable water. Eighth: Implementation of these ambitious programmes requires a comprehensive programme of reform for the administrative bodies and dealing crucially with their problems and complications because their present situation makes them incapable of shouldering the responsibility of this great civilizational upsurge. Ninth: Among the key factors of success of all these efforts is to ensure their commitment to the protection of the Egyptian environment without which development cannot be sustainable. The destruction of the environment deplete natural and human resources and thus environment protection should be considered as a necessity and not as a luxury. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Your esteemed Assembly's cooperation with the Government throughout years of the economic reform has been instrumental in achieving this goal, thus enabling Egypt to realize a fresh breakthrough. Nevertheless, we are looking forward to maximizing this role in the forthcoming stage in order to institute more effective corrective mechanisms ensuring that legislations would cope up with current variables, and in the same time guarantee social stability and orderly and systematic dealings within the community. In its new term, your esteemed Assembly will be required to redouble its effort to pursure the updating of legislative structure wherein laws have accumulated from various epochs so that the law should be rendered - in both letter and spirit - an effective tool of administering justice and eliminating grievances, rather than a source of complaint and disruption of the interests of citizens of all categories. The best that the legislative institution can do to the country at this stage is to be a vigilant observer that receives early warning signals of the interaction of laws with community life to practice the formulation of laws from an all-encompassing perspective, taking into account both domestic and international considerations and variables. It should be admitted that we are living in a new community that is heading for integration with the world and is committed to international agreements establishing bases and rules for numerous, standaridzed global dealings. We do take great pride in the elevated stature of our judiciary, who express the conscience of the community, maintain justice and right for all members of the community, major or minor, rich or poor alike without distinction. This prominent institution has performed its duty with all loyalty and allegiance to the country and brought forth to Egypt pioneering generations of great judges, who have performed an honourable role in the service of the people. While addressing the demands of the future, we have to seek to alleviate the burdens and facilitate the work of Egypt's judges, in order to gurantee speedy settlement of interests and rights in favour of eligible parties. Therefore, it is incumbent on us to intensify our efforts aiming at streamlining litigation procedures, in a bid to achieve the community's aspiration for speedy justice in the interest of both the country and its citizens. On the other hand, tomorrow's Egypt demands a truthful, responsible performance on the part of the press. Such performance should transcend pitfall and excesses made in the past. Considering the gravity of responsibility, there is no long room now for the policy of manouevring and overbidding. There is rather a growing need for commitment to truthful words and impartial intention and observance first and foremost of professional code of ethics and values and ideals of the community. We are proud that freedom of the press, under our democratic system, has already become an irreversible and untouchable, constant underpinning of government. It is our right to expect upholders of this mission to be at the highest levels of responsibility. They should in the first place take into consideration the public interest rather than indulging into practices of agitation, which constitute flagrant violation of the system of values and ethical code. Therefore, we do expect journalists themselves to review such anti-professional practices, in the context of the press code of ethics. This would ensure the safeguarding of their own entity and their noble message of enlightening the people and provide them with truthful information and honest interpretation of events. This will also realize serious and responsible, popular control of all aspects of national performance. Brothers and Sisters It is high ambitions that make great nations, as they stimulate and reinvigorate resolve and determination and steer all resources to meet the challenge. It is our high ambitions that Egypt should utilize its current successes in truimphing over the challenges of an era, wherein those with mediocre capabilities and limited, minor hopes have no foothold. This is an era, where competition for progress is growing vehemently and the powerful are seeking to maintain their relative advantage. We are confident of our ability to realize these broad hopes and attain our ambitious goals. This self-confidence comes not from scatch nor is it based on mere well-wishing. The record of national performance over the recent past years, proves, without the least doubt, that whenever faithful intention and sound resolve exist, and priorities of national actions for each phase are well set, this people have always shown a huge, unlimited accomplishment capability. It suffices to recall that the volume of generated energy in Egypt is estimated to leap to 120 billion Kwh in 2002 against 1 billion Kwh in 1952, with an increase of 1200%. Produced potable water capacity is estimated to rise to 18 million cubicmetre/daily advent of 2002 against 1.5 million cubic metres/daily in 1952. Sanitary drainage capacity is estimated to rise to 10 million cubic metre/daily against 427,000 cubic metres/daily respectively over the corresponding period. These estimated figures are not the product of over-optimistic dreams but are rather based on projects, the major part of which has been already completed, with no barriers lying ahead for full completion over the few coming years. All this stimulates hope for the growth rate of Gross Domestic Product to rise to 7% with the beginning of 2002. These rates exceed expectations of many observers a few years ago. It all means that our hopes for improving the standard of living in Egypt, and raising per capita income of the population to the level of the initial category of medium-income countries are in fact real hopes, resting on solid ground and established facts. Thanks to the Grace of Allah, Egypt has been favoured with all prerequisites for such historical transition to the rank of advancing, developing countries. We have been endowed with a firm labour base capable of absorbing the latest techniques in industry, agriculture and service. Our labour base is fully qualified to shoulder responsibilities of massive socio-economic leap forward, armed with an awarness of the basic laws of historical mobility and readiness to take up its development mission with live conscience, physical vigour and open, discerning and discriminating minds. Allow me to seize this opportunity to greet Egypt's dutiful workers, the grandsons of the pyramid-builders and makers of the greatest civilization ever known to man. Fully cognizant of the requirements and responsibilities of each phase of change and evolution, they have proceeded ahead of the march towards economic reform by recognizing that any burden to be imposed on them during the initial phases of reform would soon turn into a tangible improvement in their conditions, standard of living and vision of the future, they proved to be in possession of the highest degree of national awarness. I need not affirm the maximum importance of establishing stability and security in all parts of Egypt, failing which any bet on the future would be impossible and any building or development unfeasible. We do thank Allah for having made a people with a refined sense of history and deep-rooted national awarness; a people fully cognizant of the proper dimensions and priorities of the supreme, national goals and interests. Therfore, it is natural for this people to support and give every possible care available to its valiant armed forces. These forces are the protective shield for Egypt and the Arab nation, the honest guardian of the soil, wealth and heritage of the homeland and the robust power to deter any act of threat to Egypt's security or integrity on the part of any malicious or evil-guided forces. It is also natural for the people with all its categories to stand by the side of the police forces while performing its noble mission of safeguarding their lives and means of living and chasing terrorist gangs of criminals and transgressors who deceive Allah and the believers, but verily they know not that they are deceiving but themselves. It is a source of our pride that policemen are performing this sacred task with full courage and audacity, without hesitation to sacrifice themseves in favour of the homeland and the people. May Allah keep Egypt for ever blessed, safe and secure from all evils. Dear Brothers and Sisters The contemporary world is witnessing far-reaching regional and international economic developments. Salient of these are the prevalence of free enterprise system, governed by market forces and the emergence of giant economic blocs, providing for their members more potential and power, mobilizing their resources and capabilities towards the maximization of production and exchange of expertise and boosting their competitiveness in world market. None is more eligible to create such blocs than the Arab countries, who commonly share the same goals, interests and destiny. Regardless of varying volume of wealth and levels of income they are interlinked by a common cultural system and homogeneous social texture. We, therefore view the creation of an Arab Comman Market as a necessity of life and survival rather a demand of prosperity or luxury. Our vision is based on the fact that the aspired goal is not to share wealth with or deprive any Arab people of its level of income. The bloc envisaged is one that adds rather than detract, strengthens rather than weakens and bolsters rather wastes away Arab resources. It is a grouping for consolidating, reinvigorating rather detracting or depleting. The power of any group can be bolestered and enhanced only by the power of each individual member. Consideration of enhancing economic cooperation among Arab countries had started at a very early time before any similar trend appeared in other regions that have already made massive progress in this directions. In 1953, the then member-states of the League of Arab Nations signed an agreement for liberalizing trade among those countries. In 1964, the Council of Economic Unity passed a resolution establishing Arab Common Market. The occasion is not opportune for talking about the reasons why such market failed to come into being, while other experiments in regions adjoining the Arab world were successful. The point here is to reaffirm the importance of proceeding forward with the creation of this market in a phased, gradual and successive approach. We should avoid any damage to the interests of any Arab country, so that we may make up for any time wasted in the past and enhance bonds between our people within a reasonable time frame. It would be also natural for all or some of the Arab countries to cooperate in implementing a number of pan-Arab projects that serve Arab economy as a whole and realize common, vested interests of peoples and individual. These could be an embodiment of the contemporary concept of unity, in addition to maximizing collective Arab capability to address challenges of the time. On a broader scale, it can be noted that the developing nations have already recognized the requirement to join forces and coordinate their policies in order to survive and stand out in the world of super blocs, severe competition and increasing pressures. Under these circumstances, double-tier criteria are being used, leading to a damage to the interests of medium and small nations, which are being marginalized and overstrained, in spite of all the talk about "globalization" and "global village" inhabited by all humans. In spite of all these negative manifestations, we will continue to adhere to the approach of creative dialogue and cooperation among developing and developed nations based on our faith in our common interests and risks. When we talk about dialogue we do not mean merely a formal process void of content. We do mean a real, effective dialogue, where each party will straight forwardly and unequivocably present its own visions, viewpoints and standpoints, with the object of reaching a mutually acceptable compromise. This exercise would ensure balanced interests and benefits and allow the new world economic order to materialize and evolve on equitable bases, freely acceptable by the world community, avoiding damage to incapable nations. An issue that call for meditation is that the capable, advanced nations insist on reducing their government aids to developing nations under the pretext that investments can bridge the gap arising from such reduction. At the same time they insist on accelerating the trade liberalization process in such a way that jeopardizes national industries in most developing countries. In addition, the developed nations themselves resort to protectionist policies under varying pretexts, by using specifications and criteria of their choice, and imposing conditions banning entry of commodities imported from specific countries under pretext of non-compliance with regulations related to labour, environmental protection or social conditions, although they are fully aware of the magnitude of hardship such developing countries will be subject to, should they comply with the said specifications and criteria. These important points were discussed at the Group of Fifteen Summit Conferences, representing developing nations, particularly the late meetings held in Harari, capital of Zimbabwi in 1996 and in Kwala Lumpure, capital of Malaysia on November 3. I would like to point out that the discussions made by the leaders in these conferences were highly significant. They revealed a growing consciousness on the part of developing nations for the requirement to achieve an equitable formula to realize balance between the interest of both the developing and advanced nations, through objective dialogue and faith in common interest. On the other hand, the participating leaders expressed their annoyance at the convulsions caused to stock markets and foreign exchange rates in a number of countries that have already made tangible progress along the road of development in southeast Asia. Some of the leaders called for a reconsideration of approach adopted in dealing with economic activities and practices. The conferees also called for allowing developing nations wider opportunities to have access to advanced countries' markets as well as capital and technology as a necessary prerequisite for enabling such nations to contribute effectively in world economy. These and other issues will be subject of joint study and continued consultations among leaders of developing countries, which will allow them to elaborate specific standpoints and demands prior to the meeting of Group 15 Summit in Egypt next May. Both the developed and developing nations alike recognize the importance of realizing justice and comprehensice peace, as the only way for achieving security and stability, failing which no development or progress could be made. From this perspective, they are in agreement with us in showing concern at the current sitution in the Middle East region, where peace efforts are stumbling and heading into a dark tunnel and the peace process is menaced by a set-back and collapse, that bring back the region to an atmosphere of violence and devastation. From this rostrum, I reiterate that realizing a just peace voluntarily acceptable to peoples is the proper approach to security and stability and the right climate where all parties will devote themselves to address challenges of both the present and the future. In the name of Egypt and its peace-loving people I do sincerely advise the Israeli Government to honour its obligations arising from the Oslo Declaration of principles and annexed agreements, as an indispensible basic step to maintain momentum and prevent a set-back of the situation and relapse into war climate and logic. This is particularly required because the Palestinian side has already honoured its obligations and met demands by parties actively involved in assisting the realization of peace. I need not reiterate that to conduct negotiations and open communication channels are not an end in itself, but rather a channel for achieving the aspired goal of realizing tangible progress towards peace, and transition from one phase to another until all steps of just settlement have been completed. Thus, it would be possible to radically uproot conflict and embark onto a new era of peaceful co-existence and total reconciliation. It should be said that procrastination and purely procedural manouvering will deceive nobody nor will pursuade peoples that the situation is auspicious. Israel should also open venues for resuming negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks. It should refrain from raising obstacles and barriers, once through practices designed to legalize an illegitimate status and impose a status quo that is contradictory to outright law and world community adopted resolutions providing for a specified referential authority for peace negotiations. The cornerstone of these negotiations was due respect for relevant United Nations' resolutions and commitment to the land-for-peace principle and legitimate national rights of nations. It is fair to assert that international powers interested in Middle East peace have been performing a laudable role in pushing forward peace efforts and salvaging the peace process from impending danger. During the recent weeks, the United States have exerted active and persistent efforts to urge parties to honour their covenants and obligations. There are indications that the European Union intends to continue to play an active role. The Russian Federation has also found out that it was time to play an effective role as a co-sponsor of the Madrid Conference-initiated peace process. In this connection we would like to express our appreciation for all such international efforts and hope these will be sustained and more intensively pursued in co-ordinated and consistent steps, in the interest of all nations of the region. I cannot conclude my statement on the Middle East situation without pointing to the serious, recent developments of the Iraqi issue, which were a source of great concern to us. Faced by this situation I had to address two messages to the Iraqi President and instruct the Minister of Foreign Affairs to contact his Iraqi counterpart, in a bid to contain the situation and close in the crisis, thus preventing any deterioration into the stage of explosion. Although events have been heading towards deterioration and escalation during the past days, we do still hope and seek to stop such escalation and push the situation towards relaxation, based on the implementation of the Security Council resolutions while attending to the interests of the brotherly Iraqi people and relieving them of any further agonies and suffering. Dear Brothers and Sisters My talks about the future was not merely loose, theoretical meditations nor predictions of an unknown future. The future is readily present before us. We are already linked to the future by massive effort already exerted over the past years, whereby an infrastructure of a new type has been established, represented in a number of national super projects. Thanks to this infrastructure the state institutions have been able to address the burdens of the future, potentials and initiatives of Egyptian citizens to take part in making the future have been unleashed. A firm ground and a fresh climate were created to guarantee sustained progress. To make closer relations with the future is an integral part of our mission as a civilized nation, always interested in being integrated into the heart of the mainstream leading human progress. This is a sign of vitality and an ability to rejuvenate the homeland. It is also an embodiment of Egypt's mission in this unique, outstanding location, which dictate an ongoing pioneering role, setting an example to nations seeking progress. I have been always one of those who believe that nations' asperations should be commensurate with their capabilities, thereby avoiding a situation where nations will be overwhelmed by such dreams and visions that are difficult to realize, or could be induced into uncalculated adventures that would impose retrogression on such nations. I thank God as our move today is strong and stable, being based on firm solid ground. We have overstepped circumstance of a difficult past so fraught with obstacles and problems that they almost blocked the road to hope. This past has left over outdated, long-established visions and concepts that have fettered our ability to break through and wasted out part of our energy in futile endeavours. Had it not been for powerful resolve and sincere faith, we could have never been able to change all this and to make a new present rich with hope and optimism. It is a present, where Egypt commands a strong will to address its problems and growing hopes to meet citizens' expectations. Now Egypt is pervaded by an enthuisastic drive for participation. It is motivated towards the future by a new line of thought, that gives full rein to constructive and creative potentials, stimulates citizens' resolve and enhances confidence in themselves, their homeland and the future. As we stand today on firm ground, we can look forward, with full trust, to the future. It was our preference to radically address problems. We have spared no effort in this respect. We gave the interests of the homeland a top priority over all others. We have liberated thought and volition so that every citizen should be a responsible partnere to his homeland. We aided by the counsel of scientists and professionals so that we might avoid stumpedes along the road. We have been committed to the right path, and never deviated from right and justice. We have also maintained balanced interests of all segments of the community. We have always keen on the cohesion, unity and elevating the integrity of the homeland. It has been our firm resolve to build Egypt of the future. Under all circumstances our decision re-echoed the pulse of Egypt popular base. Here are the doors of the future wide open before our headlong self-confident progress, stimulated by the asperations of a great nation to reap the fruits of its efforts. I can see the future before me sprouting from our very present; I see it in new upgraded schools that absorb all Egyptian children, develop their skills and talents and make of him a supporter who maintains the progress of Egypt. I see the future in good-quality health services and clean hospitals made available in every village and hamlet, thus making medical treatment affordable to every citizen. I see the future in new cities and wide-spread urbanization all over the country, extending from the Toshki Delta and the New Valley to the heart of Sinai, the plains of the Northern Coast and deep into the Egyptian deserts. This will provide prosperity, more job opportunities, expand urbanised areas, utilizing the resources of the total area of the homeland. I see the future in universities full of youth, where knowledge and science prosper elevated literature and arts are studied. These universities should provide Egypt with new generations talented in science, thought, arts and letters. I see the future in strong citizens who suffer from neither poverty nor needs and take pride in their belonging to a country that works for their welfare. I see the future in loyal citizens who vie to serve their country's interests and objectives, sacrificing their lives in defense of its security and dignity. I see the future in a powerful nation with ambitions that rise up to the expectations of age; a nation that actively participates in the making of its tomorrow and future; a nation where the values of justice and goodness prevail, and the rigths of the powerless as well as the powerful are respected. A nation in which all stand equal before the rule of law and which preserves its role and mission as a beacon of knowledge and civilization and a main partner that contribute to human progress. I pray to Almighty Allah to guide us to the best for our nation, support our hopes and crown our efforts with success, He is the Sustainer and Best Supporter. May Allah's Peace and Prayers be upon you all. |
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