By Ahmed al-Jarallah
This commentary was published in The Arab Times on 27/04/2011
We welcome Egyptian Prime Minister Dr Essam Sharaf to Kuwait. The Kuwaitis and the peoples of the ‘Cooperation Council’ will never forget the support extended by Egypt, particularly former president Hosni Mubarak in 1990 in defense of the legitimate rights of the Kuwaitis during the atrocious Iraqi invasion and occupation.
This historical event makes us look at Egypt with respect and reverence but this does not prevent us from speaking out our frank thoughts to the Egyptian officials on a brother to brother level when the need arises.
What is happening today in the land of Egypt is an internal affair but we cannot hide our emotions. We always want Egypt to be an important and strong Arab country because only Cairo can overcome the adversities. And because of this we must be frank in our talks.
Yes, corruption prevails in Egypt and Cairo deserves to be better than it was before. To achieve this we must adopt certain means and methods without exaggerating the size of this corruption through the media.
This exaggeration has thrown Egypt into a whirlpool of personal revenge and not reform. If we compare the size of this corruption we will find the current revolutionary method of reform and the campaign for revenge will cost Egypt more than the impacts of this corruption. Real reform can cost less and preserve the dignity of the nation and its institutions.
At this moment it is inappropriate to engage in futile controversies over who was better or worse because Egypt in our view is above the interests of all.
Mr Prime Minister, you are talking about investment in Egypt, but let us ask you a question: “How can business leaders from the ‘Cooperation Council’, economists and the entire business community put their trust in your country when they see 300 businessmen put behind bars or being interrogated. Their properties have been seized and agreements signed with financial and investment institutions — GCC and foreign — which were signed during the government of Hosni Mubarak stand cancelled?”
The value of these agreements signed with — factories, investment firms, resorts and agricultural projects — is not the same today. The value of a factory depends on its equipment, the value of investments, the mentality of management and staff and the value of land on which the buildings have already been built. So if there are legal defects in these agreements, they should be corrected not demolished like the temple on the heads of the ‘worshippers’.
It is wise to look at history and learn. It is prudent to look at the experience of the French Revolution which still remains a vivid example to be followed by all.
The revolution destroyed everything. The economy of the country deteriorated and anarchy prevailed in France for ten years. Assassinations and coups were the order of the day and the revolution ended with a counter-revolution. The achievements made by the people were lost forever.
A similar scenario was witnessed in Italy following the overthrow of Mussolini. The government was able to manage the affairs of the country only during the last years. Many governments changed, parliaments were dissolved, and political chaos affected the economy. The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and the revolution in Iraq led to the murder of its king and the symbols of power. We do not wish Egypt to enter this dark tunnel because its economy and social status cannot sustain this type of retreat or collapse.
What really concerns us is the prevailing chaos in Egypt and the culture of revenge, which suggests that everything does not bode well for Egypt. We wish reforms will be the way of life and not personal feuds. We want to see Egypt honoring its agreements... a state where people share love and devote time towards reform.
In short, we want to see Egypt a haven of safety... the Egypt that we always knew... not the Egypt as a prison.
This commentary was published in The Arab Times on 27/04/2011
We welcome Egyptian Prime Minister Dr Essam Sharaf to Kuwait. The Kuwaitis and the peoples of the ‘Cooperation Council’ will never forget the support extended by Egypt, particularly former president Hosni Mubarak in 1990 in defense of the legitimate rights of the Kuwaitis during the atrocious Iraqi invasion and occupation.
This historical event makes us look at Egypt with respect and reverence but this does not prevent us from speaking out our frank thoughts to the Egyptian officials on a brother to brother level when the need arises.
What is happening today in the land of Egypt is an internal affair but we cannot hide our emotions. We always want Egypt to be an important and strong Arab country because only Cairo can overcome the adversities. And because of this we must be frank in our talks.
Yes, corruption prevails in Egypt and Cairo deserves to be better than it was before. To achieve this we must adopt certain means and methods without exaggerating the size of this corruption through the media.
This exaggeration has thrown Egypt into a whirlpool of personal revenge and not reform. If we compare the size of this corruption we will find the current revolutionary method of reform and the campaign for revenge will cost Egypt more than the impacts of this corruption. Real reform can cost less and preserve the dignity of the nation and its institutions.
At this moment it is inappropriate to engage in futile controversies over who was better or worse because Egypt in our view is above the interests of all.
Mr Prime Minister, you are talking about investment in Egypt, but let us ask you a question: “How can business leaders from the ‘Cooperation Council’, economists and the entire business community put their trust in your country when they see 300 businessmen put behind bars or being interrogated. Their properties have been seized and agreements signed with financial and investment institutions — GCC and foreign — which were signed during the government of Hosni Mubarak stand cancelled?”
The value of these agreements signed with — factories, investment firms, resorts and agricultural projects — is not the same today. The value of a factory depends on its equipment, the value of investments, the mentality of management and staff and the value of land on which the buildings have already been built. So if there are legal defects in these agreements, they should be corrected not demolished like the temple on the heads of the ‘worshippers’.
It is wise to look at history and learn. It is prudent to look at the experience of the French Revolution which still remains a vivid example to be followed by all.
The revolution destroyed everything. The economy of the country deteriorated and anarchy prevailed in France for ten years. Assassinations and coups were the order of the day and the revolution ended with a counter-revolution. The achievements made by the people were lost forever.
A similar scenario was witnessed in Italy following the overthrow of Mussolini. The government was able to manage the affairs of the country only during the last years. Many governments changed, parliaments were dissolved, and political chaos affected the economy. The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and the revolution in Iraq led to the murder of its king and the symbols of power. We do not wish Egypt to enter this dark tunnel because its economy and social status cannot sustain this type of retreat or collapse.
What really concerns us is the prevailing chaos in Egypt and the culture of revenge, which suggests that everything does not bode well for Egypt. We wish reforms will be the way of life and not personal feuds. We want to see Egypt honoring its agreements... a state where people share love and devote time towards reform.
In short, we want to see Egypt a haven of safety... the Egypt that we always knew... not the Egypt as a prison.
No comments:
Post a Comment