[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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