Egypt's parliament, representing all categories and parties
Egypt, Politics, 9/21/2000

Egypt's President Mubarak yesterday presided over two lengthy meetings by the NDP politburo and the second with the members of the NDP Secretariat General.

The two meetings dealt with the NDP plan of action for these elections.

During the four hour meeting, President Mubarak said elections should be free, calling on citizens mainly youth and women to take part in elections.

He called for observing legitimacy saying we would like to have violence free elections far from verbal wars and incrimination against any person or party.

Minister of Information Safwat Al-Sherif said after the meeting that President Mubarak said during the meeting that holding the coming parliamentary elections (in three stages during the period Oct. 15-Nov. 15) under the full supervision of the judiciary will give the example in respecting the Constitution and the rules of courts (the elections will be held under the supervision of members of the judiciary under a ruling by the Supreme Constitutional Court).

This is a new step in the march of political action which confirms the confidence of society in its deputies and its choice, President Mubarak said.

President Mubarak said that this shows clearly that Egypt is a democratic country which is singled out in the area as being the country which has a democratic system based on multiple parties and seeks to strengthen its position in conformity with the genuine nature of society and the values and history of Egyptians who have been united, since the dawn of history, by values, customs and traditions which distinguish them.

The Egyptians have not known in their history division, difference or discrimination between north and south, a Muslim and a Christian.

On this basis, President Mubarak asked that competition in elections be compatible with these genuine values away from outbidding.

All national parties work and compete under the flag of Egypt. Egypt is for all Egyptians, the President said.

* Mubarak gives attention to party performance

President Mubarak said that as much as he gives attention to the performance of the National Democratic Party, because the President is the chairman of the party, he gives more attention to the performance of all Egyptian parties considering that they are the foundations of the building of the political system which is based on the multiparty system.

Minister of Information Safwat Al-Sherif said that President Mubarak asked that the majority party (the National Democratic Party) should adhere to the principles of democracy and respect of the views of others in order to give an example.

President Mubarak said he hoped that competition in elections will be objective away from slander and violence. Honest competition respects the values of society and strengthens its foundations.

President Mubarak asked citizens to be keen to exercise their right to vote.

He said that the role of the National Democratic Party, and all parties, is to call citizens and make them aware so that they may play a positive role and participate and go to the polls to choose their representatives.

"This is the real guarantee to deepen democratic practice and choose elements who represent the will of the people," the President said.

President Mubarak reviewed with members of the NDP Politburo the broad lines of the party's program which it will offer and to which it will be committed before society in the coming five years (the duration of the new parliamentary term).

The program of the NDP is a national plan to modernize the State and strengthen the role of institutions.

Plan of Action

President Mubarak has asked the government to draw up papers and a plan of action.

He said that the modernization of the State has become inevitable and called for a view of international developments and scientific progress which makes strides and imposes challenges which should be confronted by serious scientific work and building a society capable of surviving in the face of political, economic, social and cultural changes.

Modernization of society is not the responsibility of the government alone, the President said. It is the responsibility of society with all its institutions and authorities, foremost among which are political parties which should lead society and mobilize its forces.

Hence, the program which the NDP presents to the people is a national program to modernize the State and deepen the role of institutions.

All parties are certain to offer their election programs. This will have its impact on the awareness of the people and their choice and will link between the program and the candidate running for the membership of the new People's Assembly.

It was the role of the media to make citizens aware of the value of voting and to deepen democratic practice and create a climate which strengthens the confidence of citizens in the legislative authority and uphold its prestige and keep away from slandering candidates and call to commitment to values, principles and respect of citizens.

President Mubarak expressed hope that elections will take place in a quiet atmosphere, maintains the dignity of the judiciary and reflects the stability of society.

Minister of Information Safwat A1 Sherif said President Mubarak reviewed with members of the NDP Politburo and general secretariat Egypt's foreign policy and the Middle East issue and its developments and current contacts to solve complicated issues between Israel and the Palestinians which stand in the way of reaching a final solution.

In this respect, President Mubarak underlined the danger of bias to one side at the expense of the other and the danger of Israeli intransigence and attempts to pressure the Palestinians to forgo their legitimate rights.

President Mubarak considered suspending negotiations a step backwards. All this places the area in a complicated and dangerous situation, he said.

The President stressed that Egypt's position is to respect legitimacy and resolutions issued by the UN Security Council which realize Palestinian sovereignty over East Jerusalem and sacred places.

At his meeting with members of the NDP secretariat, President Mubarak said that the new parliament represents the democratic structure to which all the people look forward to continue the national march in the coming five years.

All political parties, with the NDP in the forefront, are called upon to offer their programs.

Programs represent the vision and executive plan of parties to realize the principles and goals which serve the interests of society.

President Mubarak referred to the five axes contained in the program of the National Democratic Party.

Minister of Information Safwat A1 Sherif said the first axis is the political level, the second axis is to strengthen the march of economic development, the third axis is related to raising the rate of human development and upgrade public and social services, the fourth axis is related to strengthening Egypt's foreign policy and the fifth axis is development of the legislative structure of the economic and social reform process.

Minister of Information Safwat A1 Sherif said that he program of the National Democratic party, which has been approved by the Politburo and general secretariat of the party, stresses the responsibility of the NDP and its efforts to realize an overall economic, social and political renaissance possessing all elements of continuity and stability, a renaissance based on more justice and equality and participation which is strengthened by the State of Institutions which guarantees the largest degree of collective participation.

President Mubarak underlined that the renaissance which Egypt seeks to realize is based on the respect of law and the Constitution as basic references of criteria and principles which govern the fields of national action and before which all, the rulers and those ruled, are equal without any discrimination because of race, religion or language.

Renaissance

All forces and institutions of society and the State individuals, groups, institutions, parties, syndicates, societies and unions should take part in realizing renaissance, President Mubarak said.

The NDP program declares its commitment to realize growth and progress in order to provide for every citizen on the land of Egypt a decent life, secure for him a productive work and an increasing income, sufficient and healthy food, a decent home and health and educational services, which are distinguished in quantity and quality.

Strengthening the foundations of continuing economic and social progress can be realized by meeting the needs of present generations without encroaching on the right of future generations to enjoy more welfare and a more prosperous life, President Mubarak said.

The program of he NDP says that it seeks to deepen social justice as a main foundation of the rule of government in Egypt and to widen the umbrella of insurance and pensions and ensure a proper income for all families which have no source of income within the framework of social insurance.

President Mubarak stressed that care was being given to programs of welfare of women and empowering them politically and economically.

The President said that the chance is given to youth to take their position in leadership and providing for them proper training.

He stressed the role of the National Democratic party to train youth and prepare cadres.

This should not be linked to the period of elections.

It was important to hold meetings with young people and make them aware of the concerns and issues of society and help them, President Mubarak said.

Minister of Information Safwat A1 Sherif said that party action gives attention and priority, from now on, to encouraging women to enter the fields of work.

President Mubarak said that all constituencies were open before women candidates and called upon every woman eligible to become a candidate for membership of the People's Assembly to nominate herself.

The general secretariat of the National Democratic Party will encourage all candidates to contest the coming parliamentary elections.

President Mubarak lauded the attention given by the NDP, in its program, to child welfare, the elderly, the handicapped and people with special needs.

At his meeting with members of the NDP Politburo, President Mubarak stressed what is contained in the program of the National Democratic Party that the party is strictly committed to maintain the collective and individual rights of workers within the framework of the privatization process and to activate programs to fight unemployment, particularly among youth, and to strike a balance between prices and wages and deepen social justice through a fair balance in distributing tax burdens.

President Mubarak also stressed that there is a fair distribution in the opportunities and fruits of the development process among provinces.

There is no discrimination between Lower and Upper Egypt. Distribution should be fair inside every province and governorate.

More expenditure should be directed to projects and programs in deprived and poor areas.

Private Sector has a role to play in economy

Minister of Information Safwat A1 Sherif said that the NDP Program which was reviewed before President Mubarak stressed that the goals of development and progress can be realized by continuing the active role of the State to provide efficient and sound mechanisms and market forces in addition to more confidence in the ability of the private sector to realize the targeted economic growth.

President Mubarak said every encouragement and support will be given to the committed private sector which respects values, laws and prevailing systems and which does not resort to illegitimate methods and does not seek to dominate, monopolize or corrupt the market.

The President said that the private sector in Egypt, of big and small businessmen, represent a wide and extended base of national economy.

It is a responsible sector which plays its social role and pays its dues to the State (taxes) and contributes to providing productive job opportunities, even in hamlets.

President Mubarak said that the goals of development can be realized by strengthening the participation of society, with all its institutions, in economic and social decision-making.

The way to strengthen participation is to respect the Constitution and law and the principle of separating authorities and respect of the judiciary while continuing to strengthen the freedom of thinking, opinion and expression, both at the individual and party levels, in addition to empower citizens, at the economic, educational and cultural levels in order to ensure their effective contribution in public life.

President Mubarak asked members of the NDP general secretariat for more work and activity and to go to the masses.

'We should not be content with the achievements we have made in the past. We should present our policies and programs which aim at realizing overall national renaissance," the President said.

President Mubarak said: We do not claim that what we have achieved so far is the best. We look into problems and existing challenges. We seek solutions seriously and with firm confidence in the future. We should offer programs which interact and cooperate with the programs of opposition parties.

There is no one perfect human vision. we call upon all to contribute their ideas and their vision to build the future of Egypt. Nationalism is not the monopoly of one party."

No Deviation From Legitimacy

President Mubarak stressed once again that there will be no deviation from legitimacy. There will be no violence. There will be no exchange of harsh words.

There will be no slander of parties or persons. We shall take the road of free and honest elections. We shall not be deterred by accusations or attempts to cast doubt or twist facts.

Party activity will not be confined to the elections period. It shall continue.

Continued party activity has its impact on the work of all executive and local bodies.

We want a new member of the People's Assembly who understands the problems of his nation, who is present among members of this constituency, who does not work seasonally but is present at all time.

President Mubarak stressed adherence to and respect of the Constitution and the rights of workers and farmers it enshrines and their 50 percent representation in parliament. The President stressed that the State is committed to providing free education.

Minister of Information Safwat Al Sherif said that Prime Minister Dr. Atef Ebeid presented at the meeting of the NDP general secretariat indicators which reflect the performance of Egyptian economy.

These indicators show the following:

1. A rate of growth within 5-6 percent in the average during the years 98/99, 99/2000 Egyptian economy is expected to maintain this rate of growth in the year 2000/2001.

2. The rate of inflation continues to drop. It dropped to less than 3 percent in March.

3. Deficit in 98/99 was 4.2 percent. It will drop to 3.7 percent this year as a result of efforts to develop State resources and rationalize expenditure. Deficit is not expected to exceed 3 percent in 2001.

4. Arrears debts which should be paid by the government totaled 8.6 billion pounds in the year ending on June 30, 1999 they include investments and the balance are debts resulting from differences in the prices of cotton and subsidizing supply commodities. These debts are being repaid over three months (May, June, July).

5. There has been an improvement in increasing resources of the State budget of oil and the Suez Canal as a result of the increase in oil prices and rationalization of the expenditure of the sector and speeding up execution of some projects.

6. There has been an improvement in the resource of foreign currency as a result of increasing foreign investments in various sectors, notably tourism, and remittances of expatriates, industry and natural gas and increasing commodity exports and a rise in the number of tourists.

Thirteen Principles are determined to boost economic performance

President Mubarak stressed that there should be commitment to the following principles:

1. To review all expenditure to ensure that investments are directed to services necessary for economic and social development and projects which serve the largest number of citizens.

Priority should be given to services which benefit people of limited income.

2. Efforts should continue to lower deficit gradually and in a manner which does not affect development. It is important that economic activity should grow and continue to increase.

3. To lay down mechanism to ensure that there are no excess in public expenditure, particularly investment expenditure. All quarters should be committed to the plan and the budget.

4. Efforts should continue to develop resources for the Public Treasury and the National Investment Bank in order to continue to raise investments for necessary services, notably health, education, drinking water and sanitary drainage.

5 . To expedite development plans for discovered oil and gas fields and oil industries in order to realize the estimated increase in the resources of the State from the oil sector.

6 . Strict commitment to the principle that public expenditure should contribute to operating national energies. Every Minister should make sure that government spending is directed to buy Egyptian-produced commodities and should be responsible for any violation of this rule.

7. Stability should be maintained in the currency exchange market through application of currency policies which influence supply and demand.

8. Arrears debts should be repaid from real sources and the proceeds of privatization of the tranche which will be offered for sale from the shares of the communications company, the oil distribution companies and the companies of the Public Business Sector should be used to pay these arrears.

9. Plans agreed upon to develop the taxation administration should be carried out in order to collect the dues of the state.

10. The banking sector should continue to finance economic activity with full confidence and there should be a review of the feasibility of applications for finance and a continued follow up of the use of funds presented.

11 . Expenditure should continue on small projects in villages and haphazard areas and populated areas in order to distribute the fields of deployment on a wide geographical basis.

12. Care should continue to be given to the development of institutions which support the activity of small projects and which provide finance, technical and marketing services to them.

13. To give care to train young people and leaderships.

Previous Stories:
  Amnesty International denounces Egyptian elections arrangements   (9/20/2000)
  The Moslim brothers group accuses the Egyptian government of depriving it from the coming parliamentary elections   (9/19/2000)
  Mubarak meets with party leaders   (9/18/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search