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PRESIDENT MUBARAK: THE PEACE STRATEGIST
Mohammed Abu El Einen, Egyptian Senator and Member of the US-Egypt Presidency Council
Foreign and domestic policy in Egypt is forged under the influence of President Mubarak, a man with genuine and deeply held feelings about human welfare, social stability and the care of vulnerable groups. These traits are guided by his self-committed personality, a character acquired as a fighter and pilot in Egypt's defense forces.
If we follow Egypt's policies in the field of peace, at both regional and global levels, we immediately see his persistence in seeking to establish a fair and just peace in the Middle East, between the Israelis on one side, and the Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese on the other. The president's pursuit of peace reflects a genuine desire to guarantee stability and peaceful relations between the region's people, which he sees as an indispensable basis for improving welfare and international cooperation in this historically important area.
The close ties Mubarak is establishing with the U.S. government and American institutions are not the only evidence of his belief in peace. The president has been mediating for several months between Syria and Turkey in efforts to avoid military confrontation between those nations. He personally mediated between the leaders of both states to establish the principles of peaceful conflict resolution.
Mubarak's commitment to peace is also shown through his fight against world terrorism. He was the first leader to seek the cooperation of other nations in organizing international efforts to fight world terrorism, regardless of its ethnic origin or its creed. He realized that terrorism has become a phenomenon that threatens all humanity. It is not now limited to a specific country or region.
His concern for human safety and fighting terrorism is welcomed by the people of the Middle East, as the basis for development and economic prosperity. In particular, the business community across Egypt and the Middle East appreciates these efforts, as investment opportunities grow.
With an historic reconciliation between the Israelis and the Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese, and the reform and restructuring of the Egyptian economy, investments in Egypt and the region will inevitably rise. Egypt has already initiated the regional electricity grid which is now connected to Jordan and which will soon be connected to Europe, Libya and Algeria. It will, no doubt, extend to all countries in the region.
President Mubarak's dream of peace means establishing business partnerships and opening up investment in industry, agriculture, energy, water and other sectors. This is also good news for U.S. investors, able to direct their money into a secure and peaceful region.
Such a dream will create job opportunities for the people of the Middle East, enabling them to work and live together. Rather than living amid war and destruction, they will be able to co-exist in a productive and prosperous environment.
Mubarak's belief in the twin goals of peace and prosperity makes his strategy one of peace, both inside and outside Egypt. This, to be sure, deserves to be supported by all the world's nations, and in particular by the people of the United States and the U.S. Administration, in their pivotal role in the Middle East peace process.
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