I have written before to express my disappointment at the attack launched by some writers against Mohamed ElBaradei. Those writers, who speak so passionately about their love of Egypt, often end up tarnishing the country’s reputation instead. It also seems like some of them believe that abandoning objective analysis and outrightly condemning any opposing ideas is the right way to win their case.
Then came the voice of reason, and the ferocious anti-ElBaradei campaign subsided, leaving a favorable atmosphere for a more serious, fact-based discussion.
I still feel surprised, though, at the rather gullible people who are awaiting the arrival of a knight in shining armor to bring about the change which they, with all their parties and organizations, could not produce.
Commenting on the current political scene, I would like to make the following remarks:
1) Much of the discussion now is based on incomplete or inaccurate information. Some may think that ElBaradei is a nuclear scientist simply because he headed the IAEA, which is an organization of a political and legal nature. They even started to connect him to Egypt’s long-standing dream to join the nuclear club. It’s also quite unclear what ElBaradei’s political affiliations are.
2) I personally respect the competence of ElBaradei in his field, though I have some personal comments on his behavior. When he was close to former foreign minister Ismail Fahmy, some of his colleagues, who may have admittedly had less knowledge than ElBaradei, used to complain about how he treated them.
I’m citing this complaint because it was said that ElBaradei chose to use a gate at the airport that would take him away from the throngs of people who came to receive him when he arrived at the airport.
3) I’m convinced that many of the reforms called for by ElBaradei are worthy of consideration and have, in fact, been proposed by many others. For instance, I’m all for amending Articles 76 and 77 of the Constitution to provide the opportunity for others to compete for the presidency.
I also believe that effective guarantees for the integrity of elections should be put in place, though I have to say I was surprised that ElBaradei expected the people to demand that he leads the process of reform even though he has no mechanism to develop a detailed program to present to the people.
5) I was also surprised when ElBaradei said he has submitted a request for establishing a party that reflects his ideas. I’m aware that the current conditions for the formation of parties must be reconsidered, but I also recall how the Wafd Party resorted to the judiciary to resume its activity, and other instances in which the judiciary intervened in favor of parties.
It’s still unclear, at least to me, if ElBaradei will run in the presidential election. If he runs, which is his right even though the current constitutional stipulations don’t allow it, then it’s quite logical for him to place the issue of constitutional amendments on the top of this new party’s agenda. That’s what ElBaradei should do if he’s thinking of long-term action, even if that would mean postponing his aspirations for the presidency until later.
6) Still we have to thank ElBaradei for revitalizing political life and opening up new horizons. And I would like to make two final comments.
First, I would like to say that I was disappointed to know that a citizen has filed a report against ElBaradei accusing him of threatening the stability of the country. Second, I am surprised that ElBaradei only spent a week in Egypt and then flew outside the country to attend conferences to honor him, since he was expected to stay here for a longer time in order to demonstrate his seriousness and the continuity of his efforts.
Ahmed Maher el-Sayed was the foreign minister of Egypt from 2001 until 2004
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
