[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 62 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5007-S5008]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         VISIT TO CAIRO, EGYPT

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, the past 2 days I have taken the 
opportunity to come to the Senate to discuss my recess trip last week 
to the Middle East. As I mentioned yesterday, it was a fascinating 
experience that allowed me a firsthand glimpse of the complicated 
challenges facing the region. At each of my stops I had the opportunity 
to meet with top officials, community leaders, and I made a point of 
visiting with opposition candidates. With each conversation I became 
more convinced that despite the deep differences that divide them, each 
party wants peace, wants prosperity, and each side knows that dialog is 
the way forward.
  Tuesday I spoke of my meetings in Israel. Yesterday I reported on my 
visit to the West Bank. Today I will briefly comment on my time in 
Cairo, Egypt.
  We arrived on May 5 to a jampacked city of over 20 million people. We 
first met with President Hosni Mubarak, a lively and engaged and 
obviously well-informed man. We had an open and frank discussion about 
many of the issues facing the country, as well as the region at large.
  In particular, President Mubarak expressed his strong belief in 
American leadership in the issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian 
peace efforts. We both agreed America is uniquely positioned to help 
both the Israelis and the Palestinians bridge their differences. We 
also agreed Egypt is critical to advancing this peace. As the regional 
Arab power broker and the first Arab country to make peace with Israel, 
this will be particularly true in the period following Israel's 
disengagement from Gaza.
  There is great concern among Israelis that once they withdraw, Gaza 
will be used as a platform to launch attacks into Israel. President 
Mubarak stressed to me his commitment to keep this from happening. He 
stressed it is in Egypt's own interest to prevent Gaza from descending 
into chaos and lawlessness. That is why his country is prepared to 
field a border security force of 750 guards to stop weapons

[[Page S5008]]

smuggling into Gaza and to prevent other criminal acts.
  We also discussed the upcoming Egyptian Presidential elections. 
President Mubarak has asked his legislature for a change in the 
Constitution to allow multiple candidates to run for the Presidency. 
This is an important step toward full democracy. I applaud his efforts. 
I am disappointed, however, by reports that the Constitutional 
amendment just approved by Egypt's upper house requires Presidential 
candidates to meet certain conditions to win a place on the ballot. It 
is widely believed these regulations will prevent any serious 
contenders from running for President. In short, unless this amendment 
is modified, its final approval will practically guarantee the ruling 
party will select its own token competitors and continue its domination 
of the Presidency.
  Meaningful reform means free and fair elections. Opposition 
candidates must be able to declare their candidacy freely. They must be 
allowed to broadcast their message through the media. And they must be 
permitted to acquire the resources necessary to run a genuine campaign.

  Jailing opposition candidates, such as Ayman Nour, whom I had the 
opportunity to meet with in his apartment, and who recently declared 
from prison his intention to seek the Presidency, undermines the true 
meaning of democracy, and it undermines the people's faith that the 
Government is working on their behalf.
  Egypt has been a close ally and good friend of the United States, but 
it still has a long way to go on the path toward political reform. 
After my meeting with President Mubarak, I held talks with Prime 
Minister Ahmed Nazif. He is pushing strong economic reforms throughout 
the country. He is lowering taxes and lowering other economic barriers, 
stripping away unnecessary regulations, and it is working.
  According to the Prime Minister, the public sector used to contribute 
70 percent to the GDP and the private sector 30 percent. Now those 
numbers are reversed, with the private sector contributing 70 percent 
and the public sector 30 percent. The economy is growing.
  Lowering taxes and breaking down these barriers to opportunity are 
the keys to prosperity. It is gratifying to see this basic principle 
being embraced around the world. After failed experiments in socialism, 
as well as nationalism, Egypt appears to finally be embracing the power 
of free markets.
  I am hopeful that as economic opportunity flourishes, the allure of 
extremism will fade, and the people and the leadership will be inspired 
to secure ever greater political freedoms.
  While in Cairo, my group and I also visited the El Gallaa Maternity 
Teaching Hospital--the largest of its kind in the region. It is a large 
public teaching hospital. Over 20,000 babies are born there each year.
  As I toured the hospital, I had the opportunity to meet with Egyptian 
doctors and nurses and other health professionals. I was also taken to 
the pediatric intensive care unit where dedicated health professionals 
worked to keep premature babies and at-risk newborns healthy. Their 
determination was inspiring, especially surrounded as they were by 
less-than-ideal conditions in downtown Cairo.
  All in all, I came away from my stop in Egypt convinced that this 
historic country has the potential to set a positive example for the 
rest of the Middle East, and it is doing so. Egypt has been a trusted 
partner in the Middle East peace process and an important ally in the 
war on terrorism.
  The United States must continue to promote democracy and freedom 
around the world.
  As Egypt embraces these reforms, I am confident our two countries can 
form a stronger and more dependable relationship. I am confident that 
together we can achieve peace, security, and prosperity for the people 
of the Middle East.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from South Carolina.

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