Monday, March 21, 2005
Q & A on democratic reform in Egypt
This democratic refrom is one that Bush may be able to take credit for. Actually I will go so far as to assume it is pressure from the Bush administration that is driving these events. Bush is still an evil bastard but Kudos should be given where Kudos are earned. Kudos to Bush.
Jax
What is the change?
Although Mr Mubarak proposed last month that the constitution be amended to allow a competitive race ... the details are still vague. Mubarak's ruling National Democratic party, which dominates the Egyptian legislature and local governments, has floated the possibility of allowing only officials of authorised political parties to run ... Parliament is due to pass new election rules in May. Mubarak has yet to declare his candidacy, but party officials have indicated he will be the nominee.
Daniel Williams in the Washington Post, March 16
What challengers would he face?
An opposition leader just freed from jail [on bail] declared his candidacy for president on Wednesday ... But with the odds heavily against any rival to Mr Mubarak, Ayman Nour is so far alone in stepping forward. Other opposition leaders are waiting for now, dismayed by what they call "the impossible conditions" they say guarantee that Mr Mubarak - 76 years old and the unquestioned ruler of Egypt for nearly a quarter-century - will be the winner this September ... Mr Nour's candidacy is widely regarded as a long shot, because of the ruling party's control of the media and its ability to stop any gatherings or protests, if it wishes.
From the Chicago Tribune, March 17
What sort of views are aired in the state-controlled media?
President Mubarak's decision to amend Article 76 of the constitution to provide for direct multi-candidate elections marks a historic turning point in Egypt's political life. Regardless of their differences, commentators from across the political spectrum agree that the proposed amendment heralds a new beginning in the process of comprehensive political reform.
Ibrahim Nafie in Al-Ahram, March 18
What is Mr Nour's background?
Until his arrest on January 29 he was relatively unknown outside Cairo, where he had become a popular figure in his constituency and an outspoken advocate in parliament for constitutional change. But his detention on charges that he forged signatures needed to gain official recognition for his party last year has made him something of a celebrity. It also raised concern in Europe and Washington, where Bush administration officials had been pressing Mr Mubarak to take the lead in promoting democratic reform in the Middle East. The government has defended the arrest saying it was criminal and not political in nature.
William Wallis in the Financial Times, March 14
And what does Mr Nour say?
My "liberal" dream ... to form a new opposition group in Egypt had suffered governmental rejection for three years, and we won our licence to operate only after four legal battles in court. It was a momentous achievement: ours was the first liberal party to be licensed in Egypt since the military coup of 1952. Now ... I am accused of forging the necessary legal documents to found the Tomorrow party. Most Egyptians seem aware that this is an outrageous fabrication.
Ayman Nour, writing from prison for Newsweek, March 14
What is the electoral status quo in Egypt?
Under the current constitutional arrangement, a single candidate, Mr Mubarak, is approved by a referendum every six years ... Mr Mubarak took over the presidency after the assassination of Anwar Sadat 24 years ago ... [His] rule has been characterised by a state of emergency, military courts, the suppression of opposition, and a tight state control of the media. For more than a decade, he and his ruling National Democratic party have rejected calls for constitutional reform, and as recently as last month he ruled out the prospect of multi-candidate elections, calling them "futile".
Calum Macdonald in the Herald, Scotland, March 11
(Link)
Jax
What is the change?
Although Mr Mubarak proposed last month that the constitution be amended to allow a competitive race ... the details are still vague. Mubarak's ruling National Democratic party, which dominates the Egyptian legislature and local governments, has floated the possibility of allowing only officials of authorised political parties to run ... Parliament is due to pass new election rules in May. Mubarak has yet to declare his candidacy, but party officials have indicated he will be the nominee.
Daniel Williams in the Washington Post, March 16
What challengers would he face?
An opposition leader just freed from jail [on bail] declared his candidacy for president on Wednesday ... But with the odds heavily against any rival to Mr Mubarak, Ayman Nour is so far alone in stepping forward. Other opposition leaders are waiting for now, dismayed by what they call "the impossible conditions" they say guarantee that Mr Mubarak - 76 years old and the unquestioned ruler of Egypt for nearly a quarter-century - will be the winner this September ... Mr Nour's candidacy is widely regarded as a long shot, because of the ruling party's control of the media and its ability to stop any gatherings or protests, if it wishes.
From the Chicago Tribune, March 17
What sort of views are aired in the state-controlled media?
President Mubarak's decision to amend Article 76 of the constitution to provide for direct multi-candidate elections marks a historic turning point in Egypt's political life. Regardless of their differences, commentators from across the political spectrum agree that the proposed amendment heralds a new beginning in the process of comprehensive political reform.
Ibrahim Nafie in Al-Ahram, March 18
What is Mr Nour's background?
Until his arrest on January 29 he was relatively unknown outside Cairo, where he had become a popular figure in his constituency and an outspoken advocate in parliament for constitutional change. But his detention on charges that he forged signatures needed to gain official recognition for his party last year has made him something of a celebrity. It also raised concern in Europe and Washington, where Bush administration officials had been pressing Mr Mubarak to take the lead in promoting democratic reform in the Middle East. The government has defended the arrest saying it was criminal and not political in nature.
William Wallis in the Financial Times, March 14
And what does Mr Nour say?
My "liberal" dream ... to form a new opposition group in Egypt had suffered governmental rejection for three years, and we won our licence to operate only after four legal battles in court. It was a momentous achievement: ours was the first liberal party to be licensed in Egypt since the military coup of 1952. Now ... I am accused of forging the necessary legal documents to found the Tomorrow party. Most Egyptians seem aware that this is an outrageous fabrication.
Ayman Nour, writing from prison for Newsweek, March 14
What is the electoral status quo in Egypt?
Under the current constitutional arrangement, a single candidate, Mr Mubarak, is approved by a referendum every six years ... Mr Mubarak took over the presidency after the assassination of Anwar Sadat 24 years ago ... [His] rule has been characterised by a state of emergency, military courts, the suppression of opposition, and a tight state control of the media. For more than a decade, he and his ruling National Democratic party have rejected calls for constitutional reform, and as recently as last month he ruled out the prospect of multi-candidate elections, calling them "futile".
Calum Macdonald in the Herald, Scotland, March 11
(Link)
