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Friday, Septemper 24, 1999
Dear Brothers and Sisters, In the life of nations, there are such critical, decisive moments and historical turning-points of great significance that require each and every individual to rise to the level of responsibility and face such challenges that no citizen can disregard or underrate. Since our obligation to the homeland is the highest and most favoured, it is rather the supreme national duty of every citizen to develop a clear vision of question raised, and forge out, as far as he can, a specific standpoint, regardless of varying ideological or political affiliations and conflicting opinions and perspectives. As you may recall, since you gave me the trust of responsibility in October 1981, we have made a mutual covenant that each individual should perform his duty towards God and the homeland; to exert his utmost in the service of the nation’s supreme goals, and stand out to challenges, regardless of their gravity and the sacrifices involved. In the absence of such collective determination and strict commitment to responsibility towards the country as well as to its causes and interests, the community, in the course of its mobility will lose vision and target. On the other hand, when each citizen is aware of his own obligation to the country, and its national burdens, the community will march steadily on the right path, rather than losing target. No fair observer can deny that we have made long strides in taking on challenges and surmounting hardships hindering our progress at home and abroad. Together, we have successfully passed this test; attracting appreciation of foes and friends alike. I have been always keen under all circumstances to point out to our vigilant people that such accomplishment is not the working of a single person, whatever his stature and responsibility may be; nor a feat consummated by a limited group of people. By all standards, it is rather a vigorous collective and popular success too conspicuous to be denied or underestimated. It has been obvious that every good citizen committed to the values and morals of the Egyptian society, has shouldered his share of responsibility with full awareness and fearless heart. This indomitable national determination was the key to our success in handling unruling challenges beyond human capacity. The road was not strewn with flowers but rather with hardships and suffering. Nevertheless, none of us was unaware of the nature of challenge; slackened in bearing responsibility for national work nor hesitated in paying the price of struggle for a better life for every Egyptian citizen. I believe we are standing at the peak of this historic juncture and the climax of our national responsibilities as we are facing domestic and foreign challenges that can never be underestimated. We have already moved to a new phase, where the whole world enters a new era fraught with unlimited opportunities of further progress, facing at the same time unprecedented dangers, of unforeseeable dimensions and consequences. We have already reinforced the pillars of just and comprehensive peace in the region, eliminating the imbalance that affected Egypt’s position inside the Arab community and facing unruling regional risks that posed a threat to our national security. We also called for specific and practical steps to enhance Arab solidarity, and enable the Arab world to reach an agreement concerning the importance of founding an economic bloc as a sound basis for a deeper and more comprehensive grouping. We have further exerted intense efforts to unite the developing countries of the South, establishing their right to a more just and a less oppressing conditions. We have maintained balanced friendly relationships with different world powers on the bases of mutual respect, independent will and joint interests. This has been achieved in a spirit of national concordance that managed to rise above partisan differences and class interests. As a consequence, it is now our duty to concentrate our efforts on the challenge of the domestic structure; the solid base that allows us to efficiently carry out our regional and international role. Hence came our determination to embark on comprehensive economic reform with its developmental, social and cultural dimensions. This was done with the object of charting a new form of life in every part of our dear country. Building on achievements already made in the fields of infrastructure and education, health and social services, we could make a tangible leap in the Egyptian family’s standard of living, raise the efficiency of services offered, and above all, to be able to place our time-honoured Egypt, that first introduced man to civilization and urbanity, in its appropriate position in tomorrow’s world. By the advent of the twenty first century, it was incumbent on us to take necessary steps to decide on a comprehensive national programme. The aim is to start a steady technological revival, making use of modern scientific applications in different sectors of production and services. This will also allow us to deepen the roots of technology into our homeland, thus turning our community into producer of advanced technology. We have realized from the very first moment we took office that the society can achieve revival or respect citizen’s rights only through a free democratic environment that protects the freedom of thought and belief. As a result, we began to deepen the democratic structure, strengthen the role of governmental and non-governmental bodies in the service of the society and protect the freedom of opinion and thought. Moreover, we have strengthened our acceptance of multifarious opinions, varying thoughts, giving every citizen the chance to actively participate in public affairs and contribute to formulate his country’s policy and orientation. Brothers and Sisters, Tomorrow the people will say their word which is final and decisive. At this historic juncture of our nation’s future, we all have to realize the important fact that, in order for us to fulfil the pledge taken by us since the very beginning, every one of us must undertake a great responsibility, i.e; to be initiating participants rather than wait-and-see bystanders. We should not be self-satisfied with the role of distant critics or supporters. The Egyptian people should rather turn into a collective taskforce sailing together on the same boat. This will enable us to continue radical reforms in all fields without exceptions; to deepen democratic practice, entrench freedom of opinion and social justice, thus realizing the required balance between various powers and categories. In the face of these challenges that require the effort, thought and determination of each and every citizen, it is his duty to vote in the referendum to be held tomorrow. It is a referendum on a comprehensive reform and revival programme rather than being a referendum on my own person. Thus, we are keen that every citizen should express his viewpoint and vision of the right and wrong aspects of the main orientations, the theoretical and practical sides of such a programme. As you might have noticed, I attach great importance to the opinion of all citizens, supporters and opponents alike. I insist that democracy is embodied in an essence and continued practice in different walks of our life rather than being a form or a motto we raise. Today, I urge everyone of you, young and old, men and women, supporters and opponents, intellectuals and workmen, peasants and businessmen to go tomorrow to poll stations to say your word. To act so positively is to impart a message from Egypt to the entire world and provide an unequival proof that the people living on the land of Egypt believe wholeheartedly in democracy in words and deeds. This positive attitude will be the organ of the Egyptian conscience for expressing his insistence on completing the march of reform and determination to achieve progress and attain prosperity. Moreover, this positivity will be every one’s testimony to the next generations that he has fulfilled his pledge and trust; and never neglected any of his national duties. I thank every citizen for expressing his opinion which will also remain in reckoning by the nation. By so doing, he will have fully fulfilled his duty and participated in the progress of our beloved Egypt. May Allah guide us to the right path. He is the Best Custodian and Supporter. |
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