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Saturday, November 14, 1998
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Members of the Peoples Assembly and Shura (Consultative), As in all recent years, our meeting today marks the beginning of a new legislative term. It is an occasion for us to examine together progress of national action and discuss successes and shortfalls, learning lessons therefrom, and promising renewed determination and confidence to push forward our march towards its proper destination into the future. It is always our target to safeguard the interests of the people, the unity and supreme goals of the homeland, and to boost its ability to keep abreast of human progress, as a beacon of enlightenment and tolerance; a mighty and invulnerable country, with a present that meets expectations of its citizens and a future that accommodates ambitions of coming generations. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Representatives of the People, I am absolutely sure that you have been pursuing your mission with the same spirit and dedication that have always marked your esteemed assembly. In so doing, you are honouring a major responsibility you already shoulder on behalf of the people. You were entrusted by this people with the mission of controlling the work of the government in order to ensure good and impartial performance. You were also entrusted with the mission of issuing legislation to regulate the movement of the society, and rights of individuals and institutions as well as demarcating lines for the authorities. Both are august missions, requiring impartiality, objectivity, transparency, close observance of public interest and courageous commitment to serve and respond to the needs of the masses. Your control of the governments work is a basic safeguard for good performance. Control by the people of their own utilities and institutions is an invulnerable bedge against corruption, as it guarantees that errors are rectified and problems are addressed before they aggravated. Rational control requires mutual understanding and joint coordination and cooperation with the government. On the one hand, the government, being the peoples government, can never cover up an error or tolerate a violation. On the other, you are the representatives and vigilant eyes of the people, who monitor national action at every site. It is essential that both parties should have a common vision of priorities and goals of national action, respect of the rule of law, adherence to transparency and integrity and abidance by constant facts. Thus can control have its effective impact, rectifying errors and deficiencies, bridging gaps, keeping the door closed to deviation and resolving problems as they occur. Your august assembly has already performed effective control of the governments work, represented in several moves for information, hearing committees and fact-finding missions, moving to national work sites to explore fact on site. These practices have contributed to the rectification of many deficiencies, amendment of several complex procedures and resolution of many problems before they aggravated. These all make me more confident of the control role of your esteemed council. I always look forward to the Assembly's active role in legislative work, in continuation of the grand mission, shouldered by your esteemed assembly, of codifying the great historical transformation process required by a new turn of national action. This stage requires that the shackles of our national economy be broken, the structural imbalances that have caused recession to the economy be reformed, individual initiatives be unleashed so as to contribute to the development of their country, confidence by Egyptians and others be regained in the ability of Egypt's economy to turn the country into a magnet for Arab and foreign investments, capitalizing on Egypt's vital location on continental crossroads and her significant regional role in a region, to which the interest of the whole world are linked. Your esteemed assembly has contributed to the promulgation of necessary legislation for this great transformation, following in-depth discussions that were carried out in a proper democratic climate, where freedom of opinion and expression is respected regardless of party or ideological affiliation. Discussions and dialogue between the majority and opposition under the assemblys umbrella have contributed to the study of all aspects of the transformation process, exploration of all related facts and potential side-effects. This has safeguarded the integrity and unity of homeland, and kept Egypt away from many problems that had undermined the social stability of other countries which now suffer from anarchy and destructive problems, because they gave no heed to their own social conditions in the transformation process. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Democracy, freedom and opposition were legitimized not as tools to divide the ranks and squander the potential of a nation but rather to realize public interest and ensure that all national forces will come to a consensus on the supreme national goals. As regard these goals, they should not be subject of dispute but rather of consensus by all active forces in the sphere of public work. It will be incumbent upon your esteemed assembly, God willing, to pursue its massive achievement by issuing a number of legislations that complement the legal infrastructure system for economic reform such as the commercial law. Many provisions of the existing law, passed more than 100 years ago, no longer cope with our present requirements. One of your top priorities will be to continue to look into legislation related to litigation porcedures, with the purpose of introducing further facilities, deregulation procedures and reducing periods of litigation, given that slow justice is plain injustice. It would not do any harm should the assembly take its time, conducting deliberate studies of these draftlaws so as to ensure that such laws will be constitutionally valid and capable of addressing real problems, with their extreme complexities, through all comprehensive loophole-free solutions. I seize the opportunity of the beginning of a new legislative term to express my trust in and support of the legislative philosophy underpinning all legislations passed by your assembly. This philosophy envisages to maintain balance of interests among sectors of the community, as well as balance of rights and obligations, to deepen values of work and duty and to stimulate individual initiative. It also reflects a conscious awareness of the importance of social dimension in safeguarding the unity and internal peace of the homeland. Legislation comes not from scratch. It rather reflects basic interests that guarantee stability of the society, realizing equal rights of individuals before the law, without distinction between high and low. These interests established firm grounds for sustained progress, represented in health, education, scientific research, culture and internal capability of protecting security, stability and independence of the homeland. All in all, we look forward to a society where cohesion prevails, and the rights of the weak are not to be encroached upon by the strong. It is an open society, where proper democracy prevails, citizens are allowed, without restrictions, the opportunity of profit-making within the bounds of law, provided that they pay taxes to the state, a society, where all opinions thrive, all talents given free play and human rights reign supreme. Here comes our meeting in the aftermath of celebrations by Egypt and all the Arab nation of the 25th anniversary of the glorious October War. As a result of this war, our land was liberated and national dignity and pride regained. It proved to the world that Egyptians are capable of accomplishing a grand military feat, that was, by all standards, an outstanding example of the prowess and ability of the Egyptian military to accomplish a decisive victory as well as an excellent capability of planning, initiative-taking combat and sacrifice. The October War was a just war, intended to chase out aggression, to make aggressor feel that it will never reap the fruit of its act, that security will not be realized by occupying other territories nor by a military power that protects aggression and expansion. Security can be achieved only through comprehensive and, just peace, where all parties have balanced rights and a historical reconciliation is accomplished between Arab peoples and Israel, within the framework of co-existence and good neighbourliness, reciprocal interests on puri-passu-basis, exclusive of hegemony and expansionism and recognition of the Palestinian people's right to have an independent state of their own. This year, the peoples celebrations were up to the standard of the grand event. They were not confined to accounts of heroisms but they extended to the lessons learned from this glorious war. The aim was to identify, through objective and scientific discussion, the strengths which should be provided for the national march so as to realize the supreme interests of the homeland. We do wish to see the progress and success of the peace process, as comprehensive and just peace is a highly cherished goal for all peoples of the region. We do understand the meaning of war, the woes of which we have all suffered from. However, just peace needs an able power to protect it against the covetous schemes of warmongers and expansionists, who make vainglorious statements unaware of their dangerous connotations. Yesterday's and tomorrow's lesson, which is an integral part of the constant precepts of Egyptian thought, spells out clearly that Egypt can never tolerate the luxury of absence of an able, sophisticated national power that protects her role, prestige, and sublime mission and goals and maintains balance of powers in a region that needs security, stability and porgress. This is a clear message to whom it concerns lest some one might fall into miscalculated conception of a possible comeback of hegemony to the Middle East. Greetings are due to Egypt's armed forces, the seat of heroes and the shield that protects the supreme interests of the country. Greetings are due to our dutiful martyrs and our valiant men who are pursuing their noble endeavours with unrelenting determination, so that Egypt will continue to maintain well-trained and sophisticated forces to deter unjust and aggressive forces, and to safeguard peace, security and stability. Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we stand at the threshold of the third Millennium of humanity's progress, we are guided by basic principles, which have been the object of comprehensive national concensus. We are also guided by ample flexibility which makes us more capable of responding to the changes of our rapidly progressing age. Our allegiance can never captive to rigid intellectual dogmas, resounding slogans nor outdated thoughts, which are no longer capable of rallying all potentials of the country and ensuring constant progress. The first principle is that we do not claim perfectionism or infallebility in all our pursuit. We do not believe that nothing is better than the present reality, but we should listen to all opinions and independent thoughts regardless of party or ideological affiliation, as long as such opinions are made in the public interest and whenever they provide objective ideas of reform and endeavour to select the best options available. This new spirit requires us all to constantly review our own thoughts, without rigidity or extremism. Nor should we be annoyed at criticism or feel too high to be accountable; as the right of criticisim and accountability are the proper safeguards to rectify and avoid recurrence of errors, to address problem and shortfalls before they have aggravated. The second is that we should be aware that the road to progress is rough and protracted, running in integrated, complementary circles. Thus, the progress we are making at present is underpinned by the endeavours of the present and equally of sincere efforts of the past, which have paved the road and create the proper climate, failing which such progress would have never been possible. As history runs in complementary circles, similarly, progress is the harvest of such lengthy march of a people that has been working unrelentlessly for a better future. The third is that, after that long run along the road to progress, it is no long acceptable to harbour suspicion as to the validity of the approach adopted by Egypt in surmounting several challenges faced, removing shackles and restrictions to her take-off, allowing the country to recover and unleash individual initiatives and lay her feet on the road to progress with sure steps, that have been subject of world admiration and surprise. The road is now as clear as daylight. We command a comprehensive, integrated vision, that makes it incumbent upon us to look forward to the future, rather than stir the dust and indulge into battles of the past and settle past accounts. It is the living peoples that address themselves towards the future, with all the great opportunities, high expectations and renewable challenges it entails. It is our mission today to look forward to the vast prospects offered by the future. Thus, we can step forward with vigour towards the upcoming century, to safeguard Egypt's prominent standing in a rapidly changing, highly competitive world, where distances and time are greatly reduced and human creativity has an outstanding role. Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are approaching the threshold of the upcoming century with high hopes that Egypt will occupy a leading position in the procession of human progress, as she now acquires a record of well-established and huge achievements, allowing the opportunity of unrestricted take-off together with a pioneering experiment and a clear-cut performance methodology, which has already passed the stage of experimentation. Above all, it possesses enormous human resources representing the greatest source of wealth in Egypt. Hence, Egypt is capable of undertaking the most difficult missions; with her diversified skills and competencies that can cover all domains of human creativity and wide and vast resources and capabilities that can assimilate modern sciences and technologies. Egypt has a rich record of huge achievements. Investments made under successive development plans up till now exceeded LE 514 billion, of which LE 243 billion were allocated to infrastructure; LE 223 billion for modernizing and boosting production bases beside LE 48 billion for services. Egypt has a rich experience; where individual initiatives were unleashed and investment climate remedied. As a result, the private setcors share of development projects mounted from less than 20% to about 65%. Its share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose to about 73%. This proves the private sectors ability to undertake development responsibilities especially after removing all the obstacles facing it. The private sector is now well-equipped to enter into new areas which were not available in the past such as projects related to infrastructure works and management for a definite period of time. Egypt has success indicators for a national economy, where structural imbalances have been remedied, financial indicators related to deficit and inflation adjusted, exchange rate stabilized and foreign exchange reserves fixed and even augmented. In addition, the economy further has shown a progressive increase in GDP, amounting to around LE 300 billion. Thus, Egypt has moved from the category of poor nations to a medium-income state. Average per capita income rose to about LE 4800 ($ 1410) per annum against $ 427 in 1981/82. This figure does not accurately reflect the level of individual welfare already attained as a result of free services such as education, health and social care. Egypt possesses a solid industrial basis of 4700 new factories including giant projects of which some costed more than LE 1 billion, besides more than 1100 old factories. This has enabled Egypt to engage into new, diversified, integrated industrial activities in heavy and light industries alike. As a result, a considerable increase in industrial production has been achieved, rising in certain sectors such as cement and steel to sixfold their past capacity. Undoubtedly, intensive industrialization is the motive power of the development process, resulting in a growth rate of 11% in this sector. It is a source of pride and hope that our country enjoys a stable society, where every citizen feels secure as to his honour, home and property; every investor feels secure as to his enterprises and investments wherever they are located on Egypt's map. This is owing to a vigilant police force that extends its unrelenting efforts to every single spot in the country and makes its top priority mission to provide a safe environment for the investors. Greetings are due to the courageous policemen who made heavy sacrifices to help realize Gods promise in the Holy Quran to keep this country safe, with her doors open to all visitors to enter in peace and security. For all this, they do meritoriously deserve appreciation and recognition by all countrymen of this faithfull nation. The great leap in the Egyptian living standards over the past few years is indicative of the magnitude of the great hopes, expected along with the progressive increase in the rates of development that amounted to 5.7% to rise, God willing, to 6.9% in excess of threefolds population growth rate. This is our goal that we planned to achieve since the very beginning. Although modern Egypt has witnessed three major projects with such a futuristic outlook, i.e; Suez Canal, Aswan Reservoir and the High Dam, yet the three projects were confined to the narrow valley within the bounds of the Nile Banks and Delta and did not exceed this limited area to those vast unpopulated areas. Today, we are embarking onto the 21st century with global vision of the future, charting new urban map for Egypt. Thus, we are addressing the problem of progressive increase of population, getting the Egyptian life out of the narrow confines of the valley to a wider space where populated area of Egypt's land will be raised from 5% to 25%. Signs of expansion are appearing year after year. We are not talking about some plans or projects which are still contemplated but rather about an ongoing mammoth work at the South of the Valley, Sinai, the Suez Gulf and the East of Port Said. This is really an unprecedented leap in our history ushering Egypt into an era of mega projects, extending its developmental thinking to unexpected horizons and untrodden spots, changing its demographic and geographical reality and addressing its huge population problems as well as the masses increasing aspirations for major decisive and comprehensive solutions. It is worthmentioning that in Toushka, the digging works of the main canal have covered 25 km, i.e; one third of its length. Work has also begun in the first and second branches. Civil works for the super lifting station have also started. Moreover, several wells were drilled to cater for existing work requirements. It is envisaged to implement a huge network of main and subsidary channels extending over 5000 km. Phase I begins with reclaiming and cultivating 540,000 feddans, in addition to other 200,000 feddans under reclamation at East Al Owainat. In the far north of Sinai, As-Salam Canal is extended under its second phase, to provide water for irrigating 400,000 feddans in addition to the 220,000 feddans, actually irrigated under the first phase of the canal in the north of Delta. On the other hand, a huge port is under construction to the east of Port Said. The port is not only to be the biggest, but rather the closest to the international standards. In the west of the Suez Gulf, a new economic region is under construction on an area of 230 km2, including some industrial and commercial projects besides a huge port that makes use of this vital position on the world trade route. So, it was a must for Egypt to break into the era of the mega projects, as the population congestion in the old valley has reached its utmost. It becomes inevitable to move out to vaster horizon, in order to set up integrated urban communities encompassing new regions. Activities in such new communities cover agriculture, industry, mining and tourism. Thus, getting out of the narrow valley was a national necessity to improve the Egyptian life, enhance individual standard of living and cope with the huge increase in population which, according to the most conservative estimates, is expected to reach 82 millions in year 2107. I reiterate that the real challenge facing us nowadays is Egypt's breaking into the phase of an advanced technological civilization which is radically different from the froms of the industrial and agricultural civilizations witnessed by humanity up till the middle of this century. Advanced technology has become the decisive factor in the progress of nations and peoples. Its application has encompassed all walks of life. Moreover, technology has become not only a necessity for socio-economic development but also a prerequisite of countries national security. The reason behind this is that technology is based on a combination of both science and application; employing the innovative knowledge in numerous disciplines. This has allowed various nations to redouble their potentials to produce food and energy and realize a decisive superiority in controling the cost of production and ensuring its quality. It also minimized environmental hazards and shortened the necessary period for progress, besides creating a new economy characterized by vitality and accelerating growth. It is no longer possible to lag behind the age or slacken in providing the Egyptian potentials and skills necessary to step into such new fields which constitute our main approach to the coming century. Characteristically, this century will be marked by sophisticated production, based on intensive knowledge, whose value exceeds the capital assets. The proper starting point of such mega enterprise is to train cadres capable of realizing this great transformation, and provide the channels which guarantee a constant flow of such cadres. This mission is now feasible in the light of the present revival of the education process. In this connection, 11,500 schools were equipped with up-to-date educational technology including the use of computers, multimedia and advanced laboratories, all of which allow the Egyptian young, generations to step into the new world starting their early years and at the beginning of education stages. It will be also necessary to mobilize all resources and specialized expertise in these fields, which are already available at the Scientific Research Academy, the National Centre for Research; as well as the sepcialized research centres within and outside the universities. These staff can take part in active work programmes so as to provide opportunities of training and scientific research for young men capable of dealing with modern sciences and skills. Dear Brothers and Sisters, It is our first and topmost goal to improve the living conditions for every citizen living on Egypt's soil and incessantly ameliorate his rights, provide relief to the needy, ensure steady improvement in living standards of workers, peasants and middle classes and redouble new job opportunities. This will lead to the building of a society capable of realizing the aspirations of its successive generations. This is our basic duty for which we should consecrate all our efforts, in recognition of the sacrifices of our great people who have patiently suffered a lot. Hence, its high time to reap the fruits of his efforts. Over the few past years, we have realized a leap in the domestic product that allowed Egypt to move from the category of the poor nations to a middle-income country; increasing by threefold Egypts per capita income. However, it is our duty to plan for a sustainable leap in production and services in both the old and new regions alike. Special priority should be given to the making up for those regions which had suffered from deprivation and negligence for a long time, especially the governorates of Upper Egypt. These should be given more attention and care by all state bodies and private institutions so as to catch up with the most advanced regions. To achieve this end, the state and private institutions should collaborate to expand the scope of small and medium-size projects which should get more attention in order to be spread all over Egypt. We should give increased attention to the Egyptian countryside to create productive villages where the efforts of their inhabitants beyond farming seasons are utilized in increased income-earning activities. The range of activities in new cities which have contributed with their industries in diversifying the Egyptian production and enriching its quality should be enlarged. In this respect, we have realized significant steps that, I think, are worthy of more encouragement. In new cities, there are indications of a massive increase in volume of investments spent on infrastructure proejcts, expected to hit about LE 14 billion by the end of 2002, covering more than 5,000 new factories, thus raising job opportunities in these new cities to about half million. Of no less importance, is the great achievement made within the project for reconstructing the Egyptian village. Although more than half of Egypt's population still live in the countryside, it has been deprived for a long time of its fair share of development. This vital project, based on integration between the states efforts and organized public participation, represents a proper model of a comprehensive rural development programme that would yield prosperity to all villages and hamlets in Egypt. I look forward to a second phase of this vital project, where the state contributions amounted to LE 613 million and the private contributions LE 373 million. Under this project, 11,000 small enterprises have been completed, changing the way of life in several villages, providing new job opportunities and hence, increasing income to inhabitants. The project, thus, provides a proper example of the integration of both popular and governmental efforts in a comprehensive developmental work. It gave the inhabitants of each village the opportunity to participate in determining the priorities and requirements of their village. Related to this effort is to restore discipline to the administrative machinery on the central and particularly local government level, chase the hotbeds of perversion that tarnish the image of government performance, by deliberately creating artificial complications barring easy access to services by beneficiaries, placing obstacles in face of project owners and fabricate fallacious causes to ruin all efforts exerted by the state in streamlining and deregulating and procedures removing red tape. The comprehensive administrative reform programme undertaken by the government should be based on the concept of reward and punishment, accurate selection of holders of key position related to the interest of the public together with a radical, comprehensive change in the concept of government administration that should re-entrench the right of citizen, whose interests the administrative machinery should serve. Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we are on the threshold of the 21st century, we have to change our general behaviour towards environment and its issues, some of which have become pressing and requiring urgent solutions. The large increase in population and overcrowdedness in the Valley and Delta has resulted in more intensive human activity in this limited area with their negative impact on environment. This prompts us to seriously address these problems and never to discount them. We should abide by environment laws and controls without delay or negligence. We should attend to environmental culture, disseminate awareness of its problems and to warn against the dangers of air and water pollution as well as squandering our natural resources. We should change our behaviour as to the use of our water resources so as to make water conservation an intrinsic element of our culture to which our new coming generations will be committed, in order to preserve and realize the utmost benefits of these resources. I will never stop calling on all the Egyptians to rationalize water usage. We do respect the convenants and accords made by the state and abide by our obligation to a specified quota of water which can not exceed what is defined by international treaties and agreements. There is no other way to cope with present requirements and future projects but to constantly rationalize our water usage and improve the efficient use of various resources. Dear Brothers and Sisters, A sharp economic crisis has stormed our current world. This crisis broke out in a number of Latin American countries, moved to southeast Asian country, causing a massive financial jerk. Then it moved to Japan and Russia causing a mammoth disorder in stock markets, debt increase and recession in the international trade. All these reflected on development rates and standards of living which declined in most of these countries after achieving a high level of increase. Although we live in an open world free of barriers, thank God the effect of the crisis in Egypt was marginal and limited. So, we should be proud of our programme of economic reform which is notably based on gradation, firmly underpinned by structural adjustment in all fields, rationalized and limited use of foreign loans, and financing investments through real savings, mostly derived from the Egyptians abroad who returned due to their confidence in their national economy. The Egyptian model of economic reform has maintained its national identity, taking into consideration the conditions of Egyptian society, maintaining a significant role for the state in the stage of transformation that guarantees a measure of supervision and follow up to ensure transparency of market operations. These measures have protected Egypt from the dangers that have hit south east Asia for several reasons. Some of these reasons are the absence of central control on banks and the increasing dependence on short-term loans that aimed mainly at finding speculation opportunities. No doubt that what happened in south east Asia assures the validity of the Egyptian approach and proves that mistaken were those who hurriedly claimed that the role of the government under the market economy has declined and shrank and that it will further decline in the future to the extent that the concept of patriotism will and nationalism almost vanish. I do not believe in such opinion because the government can not give up its role only because of the world orientation towards globalization and capitalization. But most properly the current economic crisis that stormed the half of the globe makes it incumbent upon those systems to review their own concepts and to accept the imoprtant role of the government that controls the movement of the society, guarantees market transparency, prevents the dominance of the speculators and the deviation of private interests from the requirement of the common weal. No matter how some regards this role, we do believe that a developing country like Egypt standing on the threshold of a comprehensive awakening, cannot ignore the states role in controlling the course of society and maintaining the countrys supreme interests. Indispensable and vital as it is, such role, however, differs in some aspects and elements compared to the past. It is the state who maintains the required balance between all the categories of the society. It also sets the required policies to achieve social justice which I repeat will remain the most important basic pillars of governace in Egypt requiring that special care in basic services should be provided for low-income people as well as medicine and bread at prices within their capacity. This is, I repeat, a basic and sustained obligation that the state cannot forsake or abandon regardless of any circumstances. It is the state that sets the general policies to encourage investment, create a favourable environment, to create job opportunities, that help face unemployment problems. Besides, the state protects the Egyptian products from the unfair competition, which takes the form of dumping with subsidized commodities in producer countries, leading to the stagnation and declining competitiveness of local products. As well as, the state protects the consumer by imposing systems and standards which guarantee the quality and soundness of the commodities in the markets. Meanwhile, it helps the Egyptian producers open new markets for its products by concluding bilateral trade agreements and joining Arab, African and international groupings, where the products of the member countries and their nationals are given special preferential privilages. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Members of the Peoples Assembly and Shura Council, We have reiterated quite clearly that realizing peace to us is an inalienable and unwavering strategic objective. Peace is the path that Allah Almighty has charted for us; it is the way to a better world where security and stability prevail; where peoples are dedicated to achieving prosperity and welfare and learn how to settle their disputes in a civilized human way, without violence, bloodshed or sabotage to human achievements. We have always believed and do still believe that for peace to survive and stand the test of time, it must be just and balanced. Under such peace all parties must have equal rights and obligations. Every people must feel that agreement is not forcibly imposed on it, nor coercively accepted, by taking advantage of inequality of military and physical power. Neither party must be made to feel that he can impose his will and conditions regardless of the fact that these lack grounds of legitimacy and justice. We have said before and we still say that peace which puts an end to war and realizes a real reconciliation between the peoples is a comprehensive and just peace. It is a peace that extends its umbrella over all parties and resolves the main problems between them. This is the only way conflict can be radically uprooted and peace can exist as a factual reality, which all parties can enjoy. Hence, it is our belief that the agreement reached recently on the Palestinian track through an active American intervention, led by President Clinton can form a positive step on the right way should certain requirements be satisfied. Most importantly, it should be implemented honestly and in good faith, should not be accompanied nor to be followed with unilateral measures in contravention with its provisions and essence. It should be succeeded by positive moves to reach an agreement on the third redeployment and start the talks of the final status, in an atmosphere that helps conclude a balanced and just accord. Those talks are the core issue and the real test of the reciprocal will to co-exist and put an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict. It was the Palestinian problem that had sparked and ignited and spread the conflict all over the whole region. It is quite clear that Israel has already taken several measures contravening its commitments provided for in the agreement, before its ink has dried in Washington. This is a serious indicator and unjustifiable behaviour, because it leads to abort this new move and the American efforts that helped conclude it, and eleminates hopes to implement it. Lastly, there are two basic requirements without which no progress can be made, and the agreement reached cannot be well-grounded. First: the United States must play an active and neutral role to ensure the implementation of the agreement which, in fact, is not a new one nor a substantial addition, but a memorandom of understanding on how to implement the commitments based on previously concluded agreements, and to set up new mechanisms guaranteeing such implementation. Accordingly, the US administration should understand the responsibility of ensuring strict implementation of the agreement, being the guarantor of implementation and the power that assumed the responsibility of follow-up. Second: Israel should show a real and true willingness to resume the negotiations on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks, on the same groundwork of the previous stages, that have continued till March 1996, taking into consideration all progress made till that date. Commitment to points already agreed upon in the successive stages of the negotiations in an evidence to the seriousness and goodwill of negotiating parties. Without honouring this commitment, nagotiations will evolve in vicious circle. I do not need to affirm Egypt's willingness to participate in making progress in these important points required for the continuation and sustenance of the peace process, because we are unequivocable concerned with the destiny and future of peace, and we take our stands objectively and impartialy; we do not adopt a stand unless it is based on the rules of law, legitimacy, right and justice. In conclusion, what we are concerned with is the stability of peace, and security in all the parts of the region and protecting them from the threat of new wars or shakes that jeopardize their security and peace and cause despair and frustration in their people hearts. Egypt will be quite willing to work in this field in cooperation with all concerned parties, on top of which are the United States, the European Union, Federal Russia and all the international powers that show willingness to participate in encouraging the parties to reach a final settlement for the Palestinian problem. There is another issue that imposes itself on the Arab and international arenas, namely, the crisis ignited by the Iraqi governments decision to stop all the forms of cooperation with the UNSCOM. This issue causes great concern, beacuse it may lead to acute complications that might result in the brotherly Iraqi people's uffering. So, I have frequently talked about the necessity of doing our utmost to peacefully settle this dispute while Iraq must comply with all the Security Councils resolutions. So, I have sent a message to the Iraqi leadership in this respect; and I was pleased to receive a message from President Clinton stating that he has the same opinion in favour of a peaceful settlement should Iraq prove compliance with the UN resolutions. The UN Secretary General yesterday dispatched an urgent message to Iraqs government in which he called upon it again to accept, immediately, the resumption of cooperation with the UNSCOM. From this rostrum, I wish to repeat my call to Iraqs leadership to seize this opportunity to take a decision that fits the seriousness of the situation and avoids any aggravation. Moving to the wider sphere of stability in the Middle East, we believe that no state in the region has an interest in igniting disputes or reviving chauvinist trends between Arab countries and other countries for this will inevitably lead to aggravating tension and polarization in the region and increasing suspicions that certain parties are attempting to further aggravate tension between already conflicting countries; this gravely complicates the situations. Hence, I have been keen to contain the dispute that had recently broken out between Syria and Turkey and to endeavour to defuse the crisis situation between them. Hence was initiative to travel to both brotherly countries and to settle the dispute rather than escalation. Thank God Who blessed our endeavour that has led to signing a memorandom of understanding that I hope to be one step leading to greater steps on the road of common interest and neighbourliness. Here I must give tribute to my brother President Hafez Al-Assad for his insight as well the cooperation for understanding shown by my brother President Suleyman Demirel and Turkeys government. I hope this spirit will continue between the two brotherly countries until all disputes between them have been settled. This leads me to talk about our endeavour to boost cooperation and interaction with all brotherly African peoples. This is affirmed through our accession to the COMESA. This step would lead to broader horizons of cooperation and increase in the terms of trade and investment in those countries with population totalling 300 million people accounting for one third of Africas population. On another sphere, Egypt intends to continue to play an active role within the Group of Fifteen that assumes a special responsibility in pushing up the movement of the countries of the South and promoting its capability of negotiating with the countries of the North and concluding more equitable arrangements that will allow developing countries to catch up the ongoing progress in rapid strides as we are approaching the threshold of the forthcoming century, without suffering from unfair restrictions and burdens that impede their march on the road of progress. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Nothing makes one happier than to see his efforts bear fruit. I feel, as you all do, that the tremendous achievements already made over the past 17 years, entail exertions of a people, having identified their own path, consolidated their own will, have engaged in hard work based on sound scientific planning, judicious implementation and conscious administration, that has regained the countrys prestige and distinction. Recalling the starting-point of our arduous march, as we are surmounting enormous obstacles along a long and thorny road, I am overwhelmed with a feeling of pride and thanks. Approaching the 21st century, Egypt now looks healthy, youthful, hopeful, optimistic and self-confident. It is stepping proper into the future, fully armed with success requirments; a rich experience, clear vision and firm, unrelenting determination. My pride is due to full confidence in this peoples ability to work miracles. From the beginning, I have been confident that the people who dug the Suez Canal, set up the High Dam and achieved the October Victory would be able to emerge from its arduous hardship. It will reconstruct its national economy, rectify its path, summon its strength, release the potentialities of its individuals, regain its position as a pearl on the forehead of the Arab World and a messenger of culture and peace to the whole world. Thank God Who has helped us to treat our people in a good manner, mobilized our efforts on the the right path, saved us from bad destiny, lack of insight, self-conceit, caprice and being too arrogant to consult others. I was sure that the people is the hero in all its battles and the most difficult objectives can be achieved so long as determination, planning, cooperation, confidence, free opinions prevail in national dialogues so that every enlightened citizen should express his own viewpoint. I was quite confident that the people who achieved the October victory during the hardest international circumstances, will manage to go through its crisis and lay a sound groundwork for awakening through a responsible participation that would release the shackles impeding Egypts movement and restore the citizens security and confidence and open the doors to participation for all. I never doubted that we will attain our goals; we want nothing but the good, for God is the Dominator and He sustain those who fear Him and defend His commands. It is the march of an ancient people who proved, through the glorious October War, genuine and capable of progress. I have devoted myself to a difficult mission requiring truthfulness and courage that I have shouldered, motivated by critical national circumstances, in fulfilment of duty and safety of the homeland and trust in the support of a great people that differentiates between what is essential and what is secondary, between what is false and what is real. My prior concern has been to think of the future, casting away all the disputes and ills of the past and protecting Egypt from dissension and disintegration because of problematic issues that should be left to history. As the country was going through serious troubles, a strong national consensus is required on the necessity of reform. As reform was a hard and arduous process, it required a radical change in thought, understanding and conduct. Since I have assumed office, my commitment to you has been to build up a new society where the individual is free from fear in order to enjoy a sound democracy based on participation that protects the rights of both the individual and the society. When I assumed office, my pledge was to build up a productive society, expanding fields over the desert, constructing new cities, urbanizing Egyptian deserts and coasts and opening their doors to everybody willing to contribute to them in any form. My pledge to you has been to build up a society where solidarity prevails, the rights of the low-income people are protected and social peace maintained. Thank God Who helped us to achieve the greatest transformation in the history of Egypt in an unparalleled smooth manner. The image has completely changed in the framework of a national comprehensive vision, whereby the nations potentialities were unleashed, deficiencies of previous years remedied and great success achieved, as our current reality as well as the whole world witness. Dear Brothers and Sisters, The success, we have attained through sweat, pain and tears, requires from us vigilance, persistance and continuity on the way. In this highly competitive and complicated time there is no way out but to work and work and work, to place Egypt on the forefront of the human progress march and ensure continuous progress for all citizens in all aspects of their life. May God guide us and you. May Allah's peace and prayers be upon you all. |
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