Cairo: opposition astonished over banning its conference
Egypt, Politics, 10/22/2004

Egyptian party circles expressed their astonishment over the rejection of the Egyptian minister of the interior to permit convening of a massive conference, the opposition parties had called for on November 4th before Abideen palace.

In a press statement, the chairman of the left coalition party and spokesman for the secretariat of the national forces for reforms Rifat al-Saeed -- a coalition formed by the three main opposition parties: al-Wafd, the Arab Naserite and the coalition was formed in September in order to unify efforts for providing a clear and united vision for reforms, said that one Egyptian ministry of the interior senior official summoned the lawyer and notified him that "there is a message from the state security banning the organization of the conference." He added that the security official did not define reasons behind the banning.

The three parties held an emergency meeting two days before in order to discuss the matter during which al-Saeed was assigned to follow up the negotiations with the security sides to know the reasons behind opposing the conference.

Al-Saeed expressed wonder over the decision of the ministry of the interior to preventing a peaceful demonstration. He said he will continue his negotiation attempts to convene the conference, but did not express optimism on what the negotiations will conclude. He considers that "a definite decision was taken to prevent the conveying of the conference." He said that the Egyptian opposition parties are determined to convene the meeting in an open place " and we are going to go to any place to convene our conference."

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