Egypt, strongly committed to enhance Democracy
Egypt, Politics, 6/27/2000

Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa told world's democratic countries officials in Poland yesterday that Egypt was strongly committed to maintain and enhance democracy.

Egypt was also pursuing intensive efforts to adjust its economy and achieve social welfare for its people, Moussa explained adding that neither of these operations was easy .

Representatives of 108 countries debated a draft declaration of support for multi-party elections, human rights and transparent government. The Conference is co-convened by Poland, Chile, the Czech Republic, India, Mali, South Korea and the United States.

While praising the Conference's avowed commitment to promote democracy all over the world, Moussa explained that the whole issue is very complicated and sensitive.

Moussa asserted that it wouldn't be easy to reach unanimous agreement on one universally applicable democracy format in light of the global cultural and ideological diversity.

Moussa pointed out, however, that the Western model of democracy, which is based on the multi-party system and the rule of the majority, was the most appealing format and was likely to be the winner in the current definitional competition.

Moussa flatly denied allegations that Islam and democracy were antithetical, adding that the champions of democracy sometimes reduce religions into a group of sacred dogmas which collide headlong with political systems.

Moussa strongly emphasized that Islam supported equality and opposed all sorts of discrimination, thereby sharing the basic tenets of democracy.

"The countries which face these difficulties must adopt a gradual approach to eliminate socio-economic difficulties while promoting the culture democracy among their peoples. promoting democracy is a sustainable process," Amr Moussa elaborated.

Moussa also said he would deliver a message from President Hosni Mubarak to the Polish President, adding that Egypt and Poland used to have very good relations in the past and it's time for the two countries to restore these relations.

Moussa held a flurry of meetings with a number of Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of the meeting and discussed relations between Egypt and their respective countries.

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright opened the first plenary session of the Conference by presenting a video-taped message from Auung San Suu Kyi, whose victory in elections in 1990 was ignored by Myanmar's ruling generals.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner urged delegates to act in support democracy, saying her people did not know "true internal peace and adding, "we would like to see action, rather than words".

A draft declaration reaffirmed support for free elections, equal access to public service, equal rights, privacy, freedom of expression, presumption of innocence in trials and other transparent governance.

"The community of democracies affirms our determination to work together to promote and strengthen democracy, recognizing that we are at differing stages in our democratic development," a draft declaration said.

It also pledges to support Non-Governmental Organizations and cooperate in fighting the spread of drugs, terrorism and trafficking.

One of the Conference's aims was to create groups which will promote democracy and human rights at other international gatherings where such issues tend to be left to one side.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt to recognize the Palestinian State   (6/26/2000)
  Moussa meets U.S envoy to Sudan   (6/12/2000)
  Mubarak, invited to Millennium Summit   (5/17/2000)

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