Petition calls for elections, nominates Amr Moussa; Mubarak patrons a conference for reforms in the Arab world
Egypt, Politics, 3/10/2004

A petition on an internet site in Egypt has called for a free presidential elections in Egypt and for nominating the secretary general of the Arab League for the Presidential post.

The petition which appeared on the Internet ( the peaceful people's campaign to rescue Egypt deplores the Arab leaders who " steal our resources " and the leader of al-Qaida organization Osama Bin laden because he killed innocent people in the name of religion ,and the US President George W. Bush because he wants an international hegemony at any price.

The petition added " I will choose those freely because they represent me." Until yesterday, the petition of the website which bears the title 'in an attempt to rescue Egypt and then the Arab worlds from dictatorships and the American imperialism," had collected 1260 votes.

One of the co-founder of the website considered Amr Moussa as the best because he wins the respect of the Egyptians, among them the liberals, the conservatives, the religious and the seculars. He added that Amr Moussa "can say to people that there is a hope to make the change."

Worthy mentioning that the year 2005 is the year of elections when legislative elections are to be held in November whereas a referendum for a presidential term of office for 6 years will start in October.

The Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak refused in a statement to the French daily " Le Figaro" this week to answer a question on whether he will nominate himself for a fifth term of office or not.

In a recent press statement, Moussa said he had recently heard of the petition's website but its owners did not consult him earlier concerning it. He indicated that presidency is of no concern for him, though he feels grateful for those who have confidence in him.

Meantime, Mubarak will open on Friday a conference for non governmental organization on reforms in the Arab world in an unprecedented initiative that reflects in what seems the desire to come before the American project for change in the Middle East by launching "a gradual reform process" towards more democracy.

Sources of the Egyptian presidency said yesterday that Mubarak will preside over non- governmental organization on reforms in the Arab states which is organized by Alexandria library in collaboration with the Arab works council and the economic research forum, the Arab organization for human rights and the Arab women organization. Mubarak's participation in this conference comes one month before his meeting on April 12 with the US President George W Bush which will deal with the American draft initiative for reforms, known as the " Greater Middle East initiative." This is, however, the first time, Mubarak to open personally a conference for non- governmental organizations since he assumed power in Egypt 23 years ago. The Egyptian President had criticized repeatedly the American initiative, stressing that his country started steps of political and democratic reform, but stressed the need to have this reform be gradual.

The participants will, in particular discuss a work paper prepared by the organizers and called "fundamental reforms in the Arab homeland: from theoretical thinking to actual implementation." Certain human rights organizations activists including chairman of the Egyptian human rights committee Hisham Qasem consider that this conference is a "governmental" attempt to undermine genuine reform.

On the other hand, a source in the Egyptian police said that Egyptian students demonstrated in al-Manofeyah university, in the northern part of the country, against the American project of the " Greater Middle East" and against Israel and some 5,000 demonstrators chanted inside the university complex, according to the police that " the Greater Middle East project serve the Zionist interests."

Previous Stories:
  Egypt tables initiative to enhance Arab Women Organization   (3/9/2004)
  Al-Azhar Imam calls for withdrawal of foreign forces   (3/9/2004)
  Mubarak sends message to Amir of Kuwait   (3/9/2004)

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