Consultation Council members blast Egyptian government

The members of Egyptian Consultation Council dropped a bombshell yesterday during the discussion of their plans and budget projects for 1998/1999, under the leadership of Mustafa Kamal Helmi.

The head of the Liberal Party, Mostafa Kamel Morad, accused the government of failing in its external investment policy and in reducing general and local debts. He said the government does not consult the opposition, and called for the government's resignation.

Refaat El-Saiid, the general secretary of the Assembly Party, said that poor people pay most of the taxes and the rich people pay less, adding that wages are still unbalanced and prices are increasing.

Kamal El-Shazly, minister of people's assembly affairs, said that if the government resigned, the National Party would form a new government, as it is the majority party according to the democratic system. He also stated that talks with the opposition are ongoing.

The leader of the majority party, Mohamed Ragab, said investment has started in Sinaa and upper Egypt despite claims to the contrary by the opposition parties.