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Monday, October 05, 1998
Dear Brothers and Sisters, It is with close interest that we have followed up the deliberations of the symposium over the last two days. We have been made aware of the valuable researches presented and exhaustive discussions conducted on their fringes. These were, in total, marked by a scientific, objective approach that duly becomes such great happening which is, in effect , one of the most outstanding glories for both the time-honoured Egyptian people and the Arab nation as a whole. As such, this great event deserves further in-depth research and thoughtful consideration on the part of both the present and succeeding generations of our citizens over the coming years and decades. Such exercise for them would light up the road ahead, and the door for a bright future, where further development, progress and strength can be realized for the beloved homeland. Under a wide-stretching umbrella of security and stability, our country could , thus, play its leading, indispensible, regional and international role. Such conditions would guarantee that Egypt’s unceasing contributions to the advancement of the human community as a whole, including the enhancement of global value systems, as well as ethical and scientific standards over the Third Millennium, due to start only after fifteen months. That glorious war was one of the most significant factors that raised Egypt and the Arab nation from pits of darkness to light; from a feeling of disability and anxiety to full self-confidence and ability to achieve target. Hence, it is necessary to view such war not as a by-gone incidental event, but rather as a significant milestone on the road and a decisive stage. As a transition to an entirely new state, the October War will remain an everlighting torch in our minds and hearts. All its implications and dimensions will remain lively in the innermost of souls, and permanently embodied in our collective consciousness for several centuries to come. War is not only the climax of human drama, when a warrior sets out, in full dedication to God and the homeland and in pursuit of victory or martyrdom. But it is, above all, a decisive, illuminating moment, where the real essence of peoples and will of men are put to the test. Wars are, therefore, the most serious events in the history of nations, representing the most significant decisions that can be made by a political leader, naturally in consultation with qualified military leaders, who assume the greater burden of responsibility for planning and execution . For all these reasons combined, it is the duty of any enlightened community, such as the Egyptian community to pay more attention to learn lessons from this great event, which should be most objectively and impartially analyzed. Thus, this epic with all its dimensions and consequences can serve as a bridge leading to a better future rather than a mere ceremonial where fiery lyrics and speeches would soon fade away into utter oblivion. The purpose behind such in depth and close scrutiny is to reach higher levels of national performance not only in battle field, but also in all fields of national action. Here, we would like to make a point that many researches presented in this symposium, while covering other aspects of interest, have already dwelt on this issue. Probably, you may allow me to add a few ideas and thoughts which may be taken as lessons and examples. This involves no underestimation of researches presented by experts who participated in the symposium and contributed to the successful achievement of the main purpose of the symposium, held 25 years after this historic event. Such event will remain a decisive point of departure from oppressive conditions which had for some time persisted and lied heavily on our hearts to an era of great salvation, where Arabs restored their land and dignity and paved the way to a new era of national advancement and progress. The first lesson, I suggest to inspire from this historic event, is that the success of October War was largely due to the fact that it was a national and pan-Arab liberation war in which all legal, ethical or political requirements were satisfied both on the internal and external front. No one could argue that this factor was already satisfied. Nor could anyone deny the people’s right to liberate their usurped land given that occupation of others’ territories is an illegitimate act which has no grounds in international law and practice. Thus, to put an end to occupation is a legitimate and universally acknowledged right. It is even a national duty of an overriding priority in the list of the national objectives. Therefore, it is important that a fighter for a rightful cause should not give the impression that he is waging an aggression against or encroachment upon others’ right. Nor should threaten or give full rein to false, boastful statements and empty, resounding slogans. He should rather prove to the world and unwearily reiterate that his goal is to restore his right and rectify faulty conditions. If adversaries have failed to challenge the legitimacy and nature of the war, it is sorrowful to find that an inconsiderable minority deliberately and frequently circulate that it was only a political maneuver. Such confusion conveys nothing but ignorance and prejudice. As to ignorance, it is due to the fact that those who are interested in studying or discussing the war should understand that the war was not for the sake of war- waged for destruction and ruination. War will have a most noble purpose when it is used as a means to achieve a just and legitimate aim mainly to influence the enemy’s will and make it accept the voice of reason and abide by the right and rules of legitimacy and to put an end to any situation contradictory with the provisions of international law and equity. Hence, in spite of pretensions by biased persons, who opinionate without knowledge and speak without comprehension, the October War was a national liberation war in the true sense of the word. It was the war whereby every inch of Egyptian territories was liberated and Israel was urged to enter into negotiations with the PLO which would inevitably lead to the liberation of the Palestinian territories, giving the Palestinians the right to self-determination and to establish an independent state of their own irrespective of the obstacles faced by the peace process. Denial of the right to self-determination and liberation of land contradicts with the progress of history and hence cannot last. October War will remain the torch of light which will lead to the complete liberation of the occupied Golan and South Lebanon. If we add to this, the peace treaty signed by Israel and Jordan, it is now obvious that the comprehensive peace which had been widely accessible by the October War is capable of eliminating all forms of occupation and is based on the complete liberation of every inch of the national soil according to the model established by the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. I need not say that the deadlock of negotiations on the Palestinian track is of no use to any party.On the contrary it forebodes bad consequences to all parties and topmost Israel. It is not in the interest of Israel to miss such a historic chance to achieve a comprehensive reconciliation, uproot the conflict, thus heralding a new era of fruitful co-existence, where the past, with its anguish and sad memories recedes into oblivion. I reiterate my sincere advice to the people of Israel to make up its mind to couragely apt for achieving peace, security and stability on one hand or annexing Palestinian lands, which the Israelis have no right to unjustly seize. Compulsion can never validate any situation nor give title to anybody. This can only result in prolonging conflict, bloodshed and endangering the future of the coming generations of both peoples. Those who try to distort facts and divert attention from their intransigence by casting the blame on Egypt, will end up with their endeavours and plans frustrated and foiled, being based on deception. Egypt can never play an instigating or impeding role, which is beyond its code of practice. Nor does become its prestige and role. If they think that Egypt could slip into such role, merely stress its presence or make a show of power, we can only say, in reference to the Holy Quran: "Dreadful is the word that cometh out of their mouths. They speak naught but a lie" . Had it been true that Egypt tends to place obstacles in the path of negotiations, things would have never been the same: you could have never attained any agreement no matter how much pretenders amongst you have sought to fabricate lies and falsify facts. Had we been against removing obstacles and narrowing gap of differences, you could have never achieved any progress. By these lies and illusions, you can never deceive but yourselves. Truth is as plain as the glaring sun that can never be eclipsed by lies and prevarications. We are not hypocrites, who show other things than they conceal. Sooner or later, the obstinate and the deluded will come to realize that the peace process will be consummated -God Willing- as it began through the endeavours, sincere and impartial contributions of the people and Government of Egypt. This is our unavoidable mission; essential and ethical commitment which we can never forbear or compromise. Israel would do good should it reconsider its overall policy and approach in dealing with Arabs, make up for itself a vision of a role that suits its size and location on the political map of the region. It should further adopt a moderate, positive policy which would encourage Arabs to open up to it and trust its intentions, instead of talking about others’ roles and trumping up situations for them. At the same time, it is reinforcing its military spending, developing missile system used for military purposes. In this, it enlists financial and technical assistance from other countries in a way that is inconsistent with the objectives and concepts of today’s and tomorrow’s world. Israel is well aware that all this will neither bring benefit nor fend off harm for it. This will only lead the region, again, to a new armament race, which would yield no interest to any party. The second lesson is that the October War was one that involved the entire Egyptian people with all its sectors, fighting vanguard of the Armed Forces personnel, prominently supported by Arab nations. Building on thorough confidence, deeply rooted faith in common goal and destiny, the Syrian Armed Forces, engaged into the war in the same trench with the Egyptian forces. As such, it is needless to waste time arguing that either Anwar al-Sadat or Gamal Abdel Nasser will have credit for the war. Both of them performed his significant role in preparing the state, society and the armed forces for war. Such individual roles -no matter how significant- would have never borne fruits nor hit their targets without the collective will and elevated national consciousness which brought together the people and armed form. The third lesson is that October War, in terms of military doctrine, strategic and tactical planning, timing, development of weapons and means of confrontation, was a purely Egyptian-Syrian war where we did not rely on any external parties nor did we leave any part thereof to any other forces. Hence, the achieved victory was a purely Egyptian and Arab feat; as we did not depend on any other party in achieving it. However we can not deny the role of our friends who supported us before the war with weapons and equipment and those who assisted our victory by politically and diplomatically supporting us in international forums before and after the war. The fourth lesson is that victory came as a natural result of using scientific methodology and making precise calculations in all strategic, political and geopolitical fields. These were based on well-studied rules taking into consideration available potentialities. Thus, the war decision had the opportunity of satisfying all conditions and requirements of success atop of which was a well-defined, realistic objective. To this end, potentialities and capabilities were mobilized, furthermore, all favourable Arab and international conditions were provided and capable, highly-skilled leaders who gave the highest examples of sacrifice. Related to this was that the decision to launch and plan war, and the magnificent performance in all its stages involved a commitment not to miss what is possible in pursuit of what is impossible. This is a matter that is hard to comprehend or admit for those who were up to their ears in ignorance, unaware of war techniques and rules, without the least understanding of surrounding conditions in all stages as well as the available capabilities on each day of the war. The fifth lesson is that the 10th of Ramadan War, throughout all stages, from conception, to preparation and implementation, was undertaken through a strategic surprise that stunned the whole world and caused the enemy to lose its imbalance and cohesion. The efficient military and political leadership was able to provide the war with this essential element although, throughout the years preceeding the surprise attack, Egypt had sought at an accelerated pace to provide favourable ground for the war in international community. It also sought to ensure that international community after several years had elapsed since the Security Council’s resolution No. 242 was issued, various governments and peoples would understand the Arabs’ right to liberate their territories by force. The wise leadership was interested in proving to the whole world that we had sought by all our means to reach an appropriate mechanism to implement this resolution by diplomatic and political means. It should be obvious for any fair and objective analyist that what happened represents an extremely difficult equation based on precise calculations and hence constitutes a model worthy of scientific, objective and close consideration and analysis. The sixth lesson is that the victory of October War was an indispensable condition for achieving peace. It was inconceivable by any means for Egypt to enter into a serious peace-building operation under the existing imbalance of power and a sense of frustration and despair by the Arabs on the one side. On the other side, there was a false consciousness of invincible power and an unjustified sense of superiority over Arabs as well as a moribund conviction, that the Arabs have only to involuntarily accept what Israel offers and imposes on them. Such conditions could not allow both sides to reach a balanced agreement based on the equal mutual rights and obligations. Thus, no sooner had the October War shaken the land under the ruling Israeli institutions and military and civil front than the door became widely open for serious and fruitful negotiations even then their results might be delayed for sometime on certain tracks. The seventh lesson is that the Egyptian Armed Forces had exerted an extraordinary effort so as to make maximum use of available armament. Thus, they were able to compromise the element of the Israeli supremacy in certain types of arms and equipment. We are making this point not to underestimate the efficiency of armament possessed by the armed forces, but to make it clear to all that the creative human element will remain a commanding factor in any armed struggle. Man can harness his intellectual faculties to improve his condition and serve his goals even if his opponent enjoys relative advantages in some fields. The Israelis have made much ado worldwide saying that what matters is not the arm but the user. Time came for them to verify if this statement frequently reiterated by them in the past, this time held true but not in their favour; the Egyptian fighter did not only make maximum use of available arms but he also employed in first place his mind and heart. He could harness all his faculties and talents to serve his sublime goal; resulting in an unparalled elevated performance. The eighth lesson is that the glorious October War enabled Egypt and the Arabs -for the first time in their conflict with Israel- to turn from the position of reacting to that of initiating and acting in the military, political or information fields. The Arabs became no longer in a position where they waited for enemy pre-emption and then react against them, but rather took the initiative on their own. They managed to hold the reins of power in their hands and to direct them in a way that protects their interests and serves their cause. We can maintain the essence and technique of this development in many other issues, as the ability to act and take the initiative gives undeniable benefits and innumerable advantages in various fields. The nineth lesson is concerned with the importance of enhancing social cohesion, strengthening national affiliation, and achieving the unity of the interior front as a decisive factor for realizing national objectives. October War was not a battle exclusively for the Armed Forces. However, these forces - of which all the Egyptians are proud- assume the prime responsibility and the burden of the decisive confrontation. This fact will never be obliterated from our history. All Egyptians will be proud of it over centuries to come. But this should not preclude us from making a point that does not detract from this great achievement. The Egyptian Armed Forces, supported by a solid interior front, served as a bridgehead for the movement of Egyptian and all the Arab peoples. There is hardly a family in Egypt who did not offer a martyer, an injured, or a fighter. Hence, October War came as an epic where the leadership, the armed forces, and the people merged into an integrated, blessed concerted work, which meritoriously deserved support and guaranteed success by Allah Almighty. The tenth lesson is that it was the October victory that created a favourable environment for real economic development and internal structure building, failing which development efforts in Egypt would have never proceeded an inch forward. Even if they could ever move, they would do so at limited rate and slow, intangible pace. But after victory had opened the way to peace and stability, it is now possible ever incumbent on us, to direct, with all courage and self-confidence, our resources and capabilities to the development process. In so doing we are driven by a strong belief that the sustainable development is the only way to secure the rights of citizens and nation, and that such development at its new rates can lead Egypt to the vast horizons to which we are looking forward. Dear Brothers, Having managed to shift from the oppression of defeat to the joy of victory; from the bitterness of occupation to the honour of liberating the national soil and from a feeling of frustration to one of pride and glory, our belief in our ability to achieve our objectives and national aspirations in all fields is now complete and unshakable. Our new generations should realize that the October War for Egypt and the whole Arab nation was in its essence a crossing to a new dawn. This crossing was not only restricted to the liberation of land and exercise of sovereignty but it also involved the restoration of self-confidence, hope and progress towards development all over Egypt. We inspire lessons from every positive aspect in our rich history magnificent and plentiful as they. We have always to recall fine performance of our armed forces in those blessed days of October 1973, heading to wider and further horizons. Meanwhile, our belief is more profound, more solid and more lofty, aspiring to a fruitful future to our beloved country. The great spirit of October War will keep on interacting with our reality so that every achievement should rise to the level of performance in that decisive battle. The glorious spirit of October will be imbibed into the body of the whole nation imparting confidence, hope and the ability to face the most fierce challenges. The eternal spirit of October will remain an inexhaustive source of experience and a blessed ever-lighting flame that will give us the ability for achievement, the courage for rennovation and continuing development, and the power of self-revision and self-rectification as the interest of society is the overriding consideration. The spirit of October will remain blessed ever-lighting torch, always reminding us that our power lies in our unity, that cohesion of our front and unity of our ranks are the two necessary factors for success and progress. A single hand cannot make the achievement we aspire and the great awakening we seek to achieve. It is the group that enjoys the support of God. None of us calls for dissension or disunity of ranks. May God bless and protect our march, He is All-Supporter, All-Protector. |
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