- Nov 25, 2001
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Very interesting development out of Egypt. I'm curious, how many here will attribute Iraq/Afghanistan as the determining factor in Mubarak's decision? Personally, I feel that military action in the region was probably only a small factor as there was never any possibility such action would involve Egypt. More likely, continued diplomatic pressure over the years has finally achieved some measure of success. How much success still remains to be seen ...
Election reform announced in Egypt
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ordered the constitution changed to allow multi-candidate presidential elections in September, making a surprise reversal Saturday that could mean he will face a challenger for the first time since taking power in 1981.
It was the first significant move toward political reform in decades in Egypt, a powerhouse in the Arab world that has had one-party rule for more than half a century.
The announcement came amid increasing calls for political reform from the domestic opposition and from the United States and after historic Iraqi and Palestinian elections that brought a taste of democracy to the region.
Opposition figures and reform advocates welcomed Mubarak's announcement, but some feared it may only be a superficial change to appease pressure at home and abroad. The step came as a dispute sharpened with the United States over Egypt's arrest of one of the strongest proponents of multi-candidate elections.
Mubarak said in a speech broadcast live on Egyptian television that he had asked parliament to amend Article 76 of the constitution, which deals with the election of the president.
"The election of a president will be through direct, secret balloting, giving the chance for political parties to run for the presidential elections and providing guarantees that allow more than one candidate for the people to choose among them," Mubarak said.
Mubarak said his initiative came "out of my full conviction of the need to consolidate efforts for more freedom and democracy." His audience, at Menoufia University, 60 kilometers (40 miles) north of Cairo, broke into applause and calls of support, some shouting, "Long live Mubarak, mentor of freedom and democracy!" Others recited verses of poetry praising the government.
Mubarak said any amendment would be put to a general public referendum before the presidential polls, scheduled for September.
Mohammed Kamal, a leading member of the ruling party's policy-making committee, said parliament would propose its amendment within two weeks and he expected the public referendum would come within nine weeks. Egyptian television reported that parliament convened emergency sessions to begin discussing a revision.
"If it happens, it would be the first time in the political history of Egypt that a chance is given to somebody who is capable of shouldering the responsibility ... to come forward for presidential elections with parliamentary and popular support," Mubarak said.
Egypt is the most populous Arab nation and the second largest recipient of U.S. aid in the world. It was the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel, in 1979, and often mediates in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
But as the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush has made increasing calls for democratic reform in the Mideast, Washington has seen friction with its crucial Arab ally, which has not held multiparty presidential elections since its 1952 revolution deposed the monarchy.
Just last month, Mubarak rejected opposition demands to open presidential balloting to other candidates. And in recent meetings between opposition groups and the government, it was agreed that election changes would only be discussed after September's presidential referendum.
But the United States has been pressing for reform -- particularly since the arrest last month of Ayman Nour, head of the opposition Al-Ghad Party and a strong voice for open elections.
Nour was detained January 29 on allegations of forging nearly 2,000 signatures to secure a license for his party last year. He has rejected the accusation, and human rights groups have said his detention was politically motivated.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice condemned Nour's detention and put off an expected trip to Egypt next week -- in part because of the spat over Nour. A senior U.S. official, citing Rice's displeasure with the arrest and other actions by the Egyptian government, said Rice wanted to see what steps were taken before going to Cairo.
Mubarak, who became president in 1981 after the assassination of Anwar Sadat, has never faced off against an opponent in elections. Egypt holds presidential referendums every six years in which people vote "yes" or "no" for a single candidate who has been approved by parliament.
The outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's largest and most influential Islamic group, said it would consider putting forward a candidate for the presidency if an amendment is passed.
The group will study any changes "and if we find such interest, then we will not hesitate in naming a candidate," said the Brotherhood's leader, Mohammed Mahdi Akef.
The Brotherhood would likely be the strongest rival for Mubarak in any fully open race in Egypt, but it was not known if the group would be able to run even if the constitution is revised.
The Brotherhood remains banned, though it is given a margin of room to operate. Its supporters, running as independents, hold 17 seats in the 454-seat legislature.
Pro-reform activist Abdel Halim Qandil welcomed Mubarak's announcement but raised concerns on how much it would be carried out. "I'm very suspicious about bureaucratic tricks against democratic demands."
Another activist, Aida Seif el-Dawla, said Mubarak's announcement was only made as a concession to the United States. "Let us wait and see, because a free campaign of more than one candidate requires more than a statement from the president," she said.
Mubarak has been nominated by his ruling National Democratic Party to stand in four presidential referendums, winning more than 90 percent of the vote each time.
Mubarak has not officially announced his candidacy for a fifth term, though he is widely expected to be nominated by his ruling party.
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