Address by President Mubarak on the occasion of the liberation of Sinai
Egypt, History, 4/24/2001

Here follows is the full address by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the occasion of the liberation of Sinai

Fellow Citizens,

Over the history of nations there are memorable days and undeniable turning points that for ever stand out as luminous milestones regardless of the passage of decades and generations.

Of such memorable days in the modern history of Egypt is the Twenty-fifth of April 1982 that is indeed a day for national dignity, honour and pride as well as the triumph of the Egyptian people's will. It further highlights the ability of our self-assertive people to confront all challenges so as to restore their full legitimate rights over their national soil.

On that day in 1982, Egypt regained its national soil in full. Following fifteen years of absence, Egypt national banners once again fluttered high over every inch of a dear part of the country, i.e. Sinai that was restored to the bosom of the mainland.

On this glorious day, Egypt managed to regain its bright image before the whole world that watched the dear lands of Sinai liberated from the loathsome occupation.

A major spree of national joy surged over the people of Egypt while reaping the friuts of the great victory of October 1973, liberating their land, thereby re-asserting to the world their genuine solid mettle.

The liberation of Sinai was the end-result of a long strife staged by the great people of Egypt with full bravery, firm will and determination to restore both land and dignity. This people will continue to protect and defend their land against any aggressor or reckless adventurer who might be self-seduced to approach or desecrate it. For the sake of this most cherished objective, our people had already offered more than one hundred thousand martyrs from among their loyal sons.

This is nothing strange for a people that regard land as good as personal honour and dignity or as the holiest of holies.

Brothers and Sisters,

In the October war, the Egyptian Armed Forces successfully managed to win the greatest victory, thus re-asserting their ability to accomplish their national mission, reversing balances and dispelling illusions. Through that victory, they imposed a new reality in this part of the world.

Restoration by Egypt of its whole national soil has opened future for possibilities of horizons for a just peace in the Middle East, based on respect of equivalent rights for all parties. More importantly, the October victory regained pan-Arab dignity, proving that the Arab nation will survive and that its peoples will never give away any inch of their land.

Brothers and Sisters,

What has happened on the land of Sinai represents an epic treated, with thought and exertion, by the sons of Egypt. For any genuine Egyptian, Sinai has been a holy land. Therefore, its land witnessed since liberation a comprehensive development process that represents an added value to the national economy and a distinguished life for fellow-citizens.

Greetings to the sons of this people who have offered the dearest of sacrifices for every inch of its national soil. Greetings to the souls of Egypt's most faithful martyres whose precious blood watered every particle of sand in Sinai.

Greetings to the valiant members of our Armed Forces men who fought the most honourable battles to regain the homeland's dignity, prestige and image of our motherland.

Tribute is due to Egypt's faithful son, late President Muhammad Anwar as-Sadat whose decisions of war and peace embodied Egypt's immortal values and beliefs in justice, security and peace.

Brothers and Sisters,

Egypt engaged in the battle for peace to assert to the whole world her belief in the need to establish foundations of a comprehensive and just peace whereby rights will be restored to their rightful owners and a faithful commitment to an equilateral and balanced peace that respects rules of international legitimacy will be embodied.

Regardless of the obstacles currently blocking the way to peace, certainly just peace is the optimum choice that all peoples of the region without exception must be aligned to.

Today we are, more than ever, in need to reiterate this commitment on the light of the grave developments that threaten to blow up the Middle East peace process. These are represented in the unjustifiable grave military escalation by the government of Israel, encompassing not only the policy of repression, and of genocide, seige and starvation launched by the Israeli army against the Palestinian people, but also the armed aggression against Lebanon and Syria concomitant with war cries and threats.

This belligerent conduct implies grave risks to all peoples of the region including that of Israel and jeopardizes security and stability of the whole region, for violence begets nothing but counter violence nor will it lead to sustained security or stability for the Israelis themselves.

The use of war and means of repression, annexation of others' territories by force of arms and disregard for the legitimate rights of owners of the land will never lead to any military or political gains. History shows that use of force has never put an end to a dispute or a conflict.

Building on this principle, peace-loving forces are called upon to take balanced urgent steps to get parties back to the negotiation table that should be resumed on all tracks on the basis of the agreements and understandings concluded with the successive Israeli governments so as to reach a comprehensive settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Brothers and Sisters,

Peace is the life buoy for all as well as the only way to provide security and stability for the peoples of the region. Hence, Israel is required to give up the policy of threat and aggression, halt military hostilities and lift seige imposed on the Palestinian people to bring things back to normal as they were before the outbreak of Intifada of Al-Aqsa on last September 28 as a reaction to the Israeli provocation.

Brothers and Sisters,

Abandoning all forms of violence, terrorism and threatening others' security is the optimum means to realize security and stability sought by the peoples of the region. This will block the road to all manifestations of violence, extremism and terrorism.

Consequently, it is futile to waste time and efforts in reckless and useless manoeuvres and adventures. Indeed, the situation, and even the common interest, warrant courageous decisions be taken in order to achieve just peace under which security will be provided for all resources and energies dedicated to hard work to attain progress, prosperity, welfare and provide a better and brighter future for the coming generation.

I pray to Allah Almighty for the voice of reason and wisdom to prevail so that the will for peace may triumph.

He is Best Sustainer and Best Supporter

May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon you.

Previous Stories:
  A precious find of antiquities in Sinai   (4/21/2001)
  Metropolitan Museum to return monument to Egypt   (4/19/2001)
  Egypt renews denial of Jewish participation in building the Pyramids   (4/14/2001)
  Arab rights can be restored through steadfastness and pressuring Israel   (11/7/2000)
  President Mubarak's speech on the 27th anniversary of the victory of 1973 October war   (10/5/2000)
  Mubarak reviews political situation in the region with Supreme Council of the Armed forces   (10/5/2000)

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