[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 17, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TENSIONS IN EGYPT

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, last July 23, at my request, an 
article by Dr. Mamoum Fandy from the magazine ``Middle East Policy'' 
appeared in the Record. I was interested by Dr. Fandy's argument that 
tensions within Egyptian society which contribute to terrorism derive 
partly from religious fundamentalism and are also caused by the 
existence of an economic, social, and geographic underclass. As I 
noted, the underclass problem is something we have in the United 
States, apparently in less magnified form, although we ought to do 
better in dealing with it.
  The Egyptian Government does not share Dr. Fandy's conclusions and 
Ambassador El Sayed wrote to me last fall, taking strong issue with the 
article in a response emphasizing that the full weight of the law must 
be brought to bear against terrorists, while affirming the Egyptian 
Government's sensitivity to human rights. I would note that, as in any 
pluralistic system, the process is not easy and the verdict will be for 
the Egyptian people to render. I hope that President Mubarak, who has 
contributed so much and so courageously to the Middle East peace 
process, will see the realization of his vision of a tolerant, moderate 
democracy which is not undermined by terrorism.
  I ask to insert Ambassador El Sayed's letter into the Record at this 
point.
  The letter follows:


                                      The Ambassador of Egypt,

                                 Washington, DC, October 20, 1993.
     Hon. Paul Simon,
     Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Simon: I wish to express to you my deep 
     appreciation for your constant advocacy of African causes. I 
     am also gratified by the interest you have always shown to 
     matters related to Egypt, and your desire to be acquainted 
     with the developments in my country as it continues to follow 
     the path of more democracy and more liberalization of the 
     economy leading towards fully responding to the aspirations 
     of our people.
       Since part of what is published about Egypt does not 
     respond to the requirements of objectivity and accuracy, and 
     as I know your interest and your desire to judge matters on 
     their merits, I wish to put before you the following facts:
       1. The Egyptian society has always been a society 
     characterized by moderation and openness dictated by our 
     geographical reality and historical background which made 
     Egypt not only the cradle of civilization, but also the 
     meeting ground of later civilizations. Extremism is alien to 
     the genius of the Egyptian people.
       2. In modern times, various attempts to impose by force, 
     under the usurped banner of religion, theocratic regimes have 
     failed because of their rejection by the people. At no time 
     have these attempts--despite the many victims, which they 
     caused--constituted a danger to the solid fabric of our 
     society.
       3. In moments of great change, these forces of darkness try 
     to take advantage of the difficulties of any transition, to 
     inject their false representation of Islam, and pursue their 
     real objective which is to seize power by force to satisfy 
     ambitions and greed.
       4. We realize that the best answer is to continue on our 
     path towards reform, thus allowing the people to reap the 
     fruits of their sacrifices. But, at the same time, no 
     Government can fail to firmly oppose with all the legal means 
     at its disposal, those who are using lethal tactics against 
     the authorities, against innocent civilians, and against the 
     very life and livelihood of the population. When a war is 
     waged against society, no appeasement is allowed, and the 
     whole weight of the law must be brought to bear upon the 
     culprits. In doing so the Egyptian Government is very 
     sensitive to ensure, at the same time as the rights of the 
     accused, the human rights of the majority of the people who 
     want to live in peace and security and are the victims of the 
     terrorists.
       5. Part of the campaign launched by those terrorists is to 
     use, in addition to lethal weapons and bombs which hit 
     blindly and indiscriminately the weapons of innuendo, false 
     accusations, and smear. Accusations of corruption are part of 
     this war. I do not pretend that Egypt, or any other country 
     for that matter, is inhabited by angels, nor do I want to 
     compare corruption--real or alleged--in Egypt with the same 
     in other countries, I just want to assure you that the policy 
     of the Government is to pursue any case of corruption and 
     punish the guilty whomever they be.
       At the same time, what has been achieved under President 
     Mubarak in rebuilding the whole infrastructure, in reforming 
     the economy, in erecting a democratic regime, is a living 
     testimony to the falsehood of the picture of doom which some 
     analysts unfortunately tend to draw in good or bad faith. We 
     are determined to continue on the same course, with the 
     support of our friends, and in particular the United States, 
     until we achieve our aim which is to ensure to free citizens 
     in a free country a high degree of prosperity on the 
     threshold of the Twenty-First Century.
           Sincerely, and with best wishes

     Ahmed Maher El Sayed.

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