abso
10-21-2011, 03:01 PM
Egypt and Anti-Terrorism
In a report entitled “Freedom from Fear” issued March 2005, a UN panel described terrorism as any action "intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act."
This definition applies to acts of terrorism witnessed by Egypt in the first half of the 1990s. The policy adopted by the country’s government at that time was both wise and effective. The goal was as much to correct misconceptions as to contain terrorist elements and bring them to justice.
Terrorism is an expression of evil that remains dormant until the opportunity presents itself, either from within or due to prevailing circumstances, for it to awaken and wreak havoc.
Having brought the wave of terror within its borders to a recess, Egypt was concerned that the acts of violence it had witnessed might spill out into the world outside. It was as if it had a premonition of the 9/11 events. Hence was its call for an international conference on terrorism.
In the fight against terrorism, Egypt relies on several principles.
1. It is essential to avoid confusing acts of terror with acts of national resistance. All international agreements and conventions have endorsed peoples’ right to carrying arms against occupation forces as well as their right to self-determination.
2. It is inevitable to condemn all acts of terror; and ostracize terrorists.
3. Egypt has been calling for the convening of an international conference in which nations would pledge to confront terrorism, thus legitimizing the overwhelming wave of solidarity extended to the United States in its hour of grief and agony in the aftermath of 9/11.
4. It is essential to present a clear image of Islam and its tolerant teachings to non-Muslim nations, who deem it synonymous with extremism and violence. The fact that a number of Islamic countries are still knuckling under occupation and are resisting their occupiers has translated in the eyes of other people into being a clash of civilizations.
5. Religion has sometimes interfered with political, economic and military groups, thus reviving out-dated rhetoric and polemics. If not checked the trend may lead to religious conflicts and to greater waves of violence and extremism.
It should be made clear that no religion, be it Islam, Christianity, Judaism or Buddhism, preaches terrorism. The struggle against terrorism should proceed from collective solidarity, love of life, and not from hatred which provides neither a solution nor a refuge.
Moreover, Egypt believes that terrorism is not a religious but a political issue given that terrorist groups seek to overthrow existing legitimate regimes and assume power by using military force.
Egypt is also preparing to become a regional anti-terrorism training hub for other Middle Eastern and North African nations. Both government and religious officials continue to make statements supporting the war on terrorism and condemning terrorist actions around the world.
Following are highpoints reflecting Egypt’s efforts in the fight against terrorism:
January 26, 1986: Addressing the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, President Hosni Mubarak launched a two-point anti-terror initiative seeking a) to pursue terrorist elements and establish global security cooperation and b) to investigate and eliminate the roots of terrorism.
January 27, 1987: President Mubarak addressed the Kuwait-hosted 5th Islamic Summit, underlining the need to differentiate between obnoxious acts of terror and national resistance against foreign occupation.
March 12, 1993: Mubarak describes terrorists as a group of outlawed criminals, who fought against the Soviet Union until it collapsed in 1991 and then put their military know-how to use in acts of terror.
December 7, 1995: : President Mubarak underlines that a) terrorism is not country-specific but rather a universal phenomenon and b) global cooperation is required to check terrorist operations.
March 13, 1996: Addressing the Sharm al-Sheikh Conference of Peace-Makers, President Mubarak said that acts of terror cannot be completely prevented and that an international conference on terrorism is a must if only to inspire a feeling that terrorism is condemned by the majority of world leaders.
January 14, 1998: President Mubarak underlined that a) acts of terror spreads fear in safe communities; b) Islam is a religion that respects and cares for human life; and c) Arab cooperation is required to fight extremism.
January 25, 1999: In his speech marking Police Day celebrations, President Mubarak hailed their role in containing terrorist threats.
February 12, 2000: In an interview given to L’Agence France Presse, President Mubarak said that extremism and terrorism are not confined to Egypt but they represent an international phenomenon. Acts of violence have taken place in Europe and the US. Meanwhile, for ten years now the President has been calling for an international conference on terrorism.
September 25, 2001: Interviewed by America’s CNN, following 9/11 events, President Mubarak highlighted the fact that all countries will cooperate with the US in the fight against terror.
March 6, 2002: In remarks to the US Council on Foreign Relations, President Mubarak emphasized the fact that the tragic events of 9/11 should speed up global cooperation in the fight against terror and that Egypt has long been seeking to uproot this cancerous phenomenon.
March 10, 2003: Addressing the 6th Arab Information Ministers’ Conference, President Mubarak described terrorism as a "poisoned dagger stabbed in the heart of all those who defend it and an organized threatening the stability and security of the entire globe. He further underlined that he has called upon the international community to investigate and uproot the causes of the phenomenon.
March 21, 2004: President Mubarak renewed his call for a UN-sponsored conference on terror, in which participants commit not to grant asylum to terrorists.
April 15, 2004: In remarks to the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, President Mubarak described terrorism as the third major cause of instability. He said that the phenomenon recognizes no ethical, national or religious boundaries. Acts of violence are known to have hit places in Egypt, the US, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Israel among other countries. Acts of terror reflect the powers of evil in society. The perpetrators use religion to justify their crimes. A collective will is required in the fight against terror.
May 29, 2004: Addressing the Moscow State University of International Relations, which gave him an honorary doctorate, President Mubarak reiterated his call for an international conference on ways of fighting terrorism. His quest: to eliminate despair and frustration, on which terrorists prey as they perpetrate their evil deeds.
November 9, 2004: Marking Laylat al-Qadr, the night on which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad, President Mubarak said that neither violence nor terror can be uprooted by superimposing reform policies that are alien to our society.
He underlined that there can be no sense in implementing ambitious plans for greater democracy and freedoms when our States are denied the same rights as other members of the international community.
November 11, 2005: Addressing a joint session of the People’s Assembly and Shura Council at the opening of a new Parliamentary session, President Mubarak stressed the need to counter international terrorism, the phenomenon which he said was lately associated with a universal trend using violence as a means of protesting the failure of the international community to respond to peoples’ political, social and economic problems.
The President added that while the Police Force realized a great many achievements in order to protect the security and safety of the Egyptian society from the evils of crime and terror, the recent incident in Taba is an evidence that there remain a few stray elements that stand posing a threat to Egypt’s stability. Vigilance and awareness are therefore required to fight them.
January 4, 2005: Marking Police Day, President Mubarak said Egypt has fulfilled its responsibility with regard to the fight against terror. Egypt has long warned against the consequences of the phenomenon and has at the vanguard calling upon the international community to take action to face the threat it stands to pose to humanity’s dream of achieving peace, stability and development.
March 25, 2005: Interviewed by the French daily Le Figaro, President Mubarak was asked about the reason why the Emergency Law was still effective in Egypt. The President explained that the Law was promulgated to fight terror and drug trafficking. He further elaborated that the Egyptian authorities apply only the articles relating to acts of terrorism, which Egyptians take very seriously. "It is our duty," he said, "to adopt all the precautionary measures that countries apply in this regard."
April 21, 2005: President Mubarak addressed the nation on Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday. He says that Egyptians reject all anti-Islam and anti-Muslim sentiments as well as all forms of discrimination, hatred and bigotry. "We also discredit all prejudiced allegations which seek to stigmatize Islam and Muslims with terrorism and extremism."
"We have a responsibility, as Muslims, to refute those false accusations and to prove to the entire that ours is a nation that is capable of giving without reluctance in order to promote the values of tolerance and moderation and contribute to formulating the world present and future just as the Islamic values helped create the legacy of the past," he added
July 23, 2005: President Mubarak offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the Sharm al-Sheikh triple bombings. "Terrorism has shown us its ugly face from time to time. Acts of blind terror has been sweeping the world around us, frightening and targeting the safe. Yesterday, the evil hand of terror took the lives of innocent victims on the eve of celebrating the July 23, 1952 Revolution. This cowardly crime has sought to undermine Egypt’s security and stability and put both its nationals and its guests in harm’s way. This, however, is more likely to increase our resolve to pursue, contain and uproot terrorism."
July 28, 2005: At a public meeting held in his village school, President Mubarak said that the threats posed by terror require legislative and constitutional changes.
November 28, 2005: President Mubarak addressed the EUROMED Summit asserting that he called for an international conference on terror long before the phenomenon took on a global form.
December 8, 2005: Addressing the emergency OIC Summit in Mecca, President Mubarak said that the Islamic world recognizes the threats which are rosed by the acts of terror and extremism and realizes that by maintaining numerous problems unresolved we only feed terrorists, providing them with the causes and pretexts they need to cover their evil deeds.
August 8, 2006: Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit, interviewed by Al-Wafd newspaper said that a) Egypt does not cooperate only with the US but with the entire world in the fight against terror; b) that this cooperation is based on the resolutions adopted by the Security Council and the General Assembly and the agreement regulating this endeavor; and c) Egypt seeks to counter international terror as a phenomenon dangerously affecting international relations and local and regional conditions.
February 6, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak said extremism and terrorism have become a major world challenge.
During the ceremony held to honor Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for receiving the Nobel Prize Mubarak said that terrorism poses major threats to world peace and security. He urged the international community to reach just settlements of international conflicts to avoid fueling extremism and terrorism.
February 8, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak addressed the nation on Police Day. He said the Egyptian security agencies have been fighting terrorism and extremism over the past two decades. He said that terrorists were seeking to tarnish the image of Islam and sow seeds of sedition among Muslims and Copts.
March 12, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak told a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Egypt and Germany share identical views on the United Nations and the need to reform the world body. He said that the two countries also agree on the necessity of pooling international efforts to combat terrorism and eliminate all weapons of mass destruction.
March 25, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak says some foreign powers are raising issues with the aim of de-stabilizing Egypt’s home front.
He told the Sudanese news agency that Egypt’s security and stability were red lines that are not to be crossed; that the Egyptian people are resolved to protect their national unity.
Mubarak warned that any efforts to harm Egypt’s stability would consequently influence the situation in the Middle East. He stressed that both Muslims and Copts were fully aware of efforts aiming to sow seeds of sedition among them and were resolved to stand up against extremism and terrorism.
April 6, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak said that Muslim scholars and intellectuals shoulder the responsibility of raising the awareness of their peoples.
He told the opening session of the 18th conference of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs that it was the responsibility of Muslim scholars to promote the true image of Islam, highlight its merciful teachings and clear misconceptions associating Islam with terrorism and extremism.
He said that Muslim scholars were also called upon to encourage young people to abide by Islamic teachings to achieve progress in Muslim societies. He said that scholars must also work to highlight the peaceful and tolerant nature of Islamic civilization and underline its respect of all people.
April 12, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak calls on the Muslim nation to join hands to clear misconceptions associating Islam and Muslims with terrorism.
He said in a speech marking the occasion of the Prophet’s Birthday that terrorism was posing a threat to the whole world including Muslim countries.
He said that Egypt and the whole world were fighting together to uproot terrorism. He called for rallying international efforts to dry out means of financing acts of terrorism and solving conflicts that fuel terrorism and extremism.
April 24, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak hailed the role played by late president Anwar al-Sadat. He said in a speech marking the occasion of the Sinai Liberation Day that Sadat was assassinated by terrorists before liberating Sinai. He said Egypt has engaged in a long fighting against terrorists.
Mubarak said that terrorists were posing a threat to the world and were seeking to sow seeds of sedition among the Egyptian Muslims and Copts and to trigger instability in Egypt.
He stressed that the Egyptian people and the armed forces were resolved to defend Egypt’s national security and to achieve peace and stability in the region.
April 25, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak and the first lady visited the Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital to check on those wounded in the terrorist attacks that rocked the Red Sea resort of Dahab a day earlier.
Mubarak vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. He stressed that Egypt would take all measures necessary to secure tourists.
April 27, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak vowed to win the fight against terrorism.
He said in a speech marking Labor Day that Egypt would spare no effort to dry out the sources funding acts of terrorism. He stressed that Egypt would always be a secure and stable country.
April 29, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian Monarch Abdullah II held talks at the Jordanian city of Aqaba in which the two leaders tackled stability and security of the whole region and also discussed ways of fighting terrorism.
May 10, 2006: President Mubarak, answering a question on the Emergency Law, said that "the law was used only to protect Egypt from the threat of terrorism and to defend national security and stability." "Studies" he asserted, "are now underway to promulgate a new anti-terror law to replace the State of Emergency."
May 19, 2006: President Mubarak called for holding an anti-terror conference to face the threat of terror, now a global phenomenon affecting the entire world.
August 8, 2006: In press statements, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said Egypt cooperates with the whole world in the fight against terror based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
On April 2, 2007: President Mubarak indicated in his speech on Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday, that Egypt is doing its best to boost solidarity within the Islamic world with a view to countering attempts to associate Islam with terror. The country strives moreover to promote the true image of Islam, its tolerance and forbearance.
Anti-terrorism events:
December 1992 (Cairo): The Arab media expert panel meeting: Following are highpoints of the meetings conclusions:
Terrorism cannot be dissociated from either the regional or international social, economic or political conditions surrounding us.
Terrorism is religiously, legally and morally condemned.
December 1994 (Rabat Morocco): OIC Declaration of Principles on International terrorism:
1. Under no condition is any act of terror justified.
2. Commits not to financially support terrorist operations.
3. Improve cooperation within the Organization is required in the area of fighting terrorism.
4. Full commitment necessary with a view to supporting media activities promoting the correct image of Islam.
5. Proper anti-terror ethics and morals should be introduced into member-countries’ educational curricula.
April 1998: Meeting of the Arab League’s Councils of Ministers of Justice and of Interior (Cairo):
The Arab anti-terrorism treaty is endorsed which seek:
1. To maximize penalties for terrorist crimes.
2. To punish those planning to carry out acts of terror to the full extent of the law.
3. To freeze all funds used to finance acts of terror.
November 2001: Meeting of the Arab Ministers of Justice.
June 2002: 5th Arab Anti-Terror Conference.
November 2004: Meeting of the Arab Ministers of Justice on Terrorism.
April 4, 2007: Opening of Al-Gomhuria Center for Terror Studies, the participants discussed terrorism and its impact at the regional and the international levels.
They also indicated that Egypt worked to develop an effective strategy to combat terror and extremism based on foiling terrorist moves.
June 5, 2007: Prime Minister Ahmad Nazif condemned terrorism which feeds Iraq’s sectarianism and obstructs efforts to achieve national reconciliation and development in the beleaguered country. Egypt, he said, was ready to contribute to the reconstruction and rebuilding of Iraq.
June 30, 2007: At the Egypt-Europe Cooperation Conference marking the transfer of the EU presidency from Germany to Portugal, People’s Assembly Speaker Dr. Fathi Sorour outlined the key role played by President Hosni Mubarak in warning against the threat of acts of terrorism which does not differentiate between races or religions.
Sorour further highlighted Egypt’s efforts in fighting terror in all its forms and expressed support for Europe’s call to convene a conference on terrorism.
July 5, 2007: Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit strongly condemned the act of terrorism which took place in the Yemeni city of Ma’rib and targeted a group of Spanish tourists.
July 21, 2007: Minister of Legal Affairs & Parliamentary Councils Moufid Shehab said that Egypt was committed to protecting public freedoms in drafting its new anti-terror law. The Law not only abides by international agreement but is also consistent with the articles of the Constitution.
July 21, 2007: Chairman of Committee on Arab Affairs Brigadier-General Saad al-Gammal, addressing the 11th Arab-African Parliamentary Conference in Damascus, called upon Egypt to renew its call for convening an international conference on terror to be held under a UN umbrella. Participants refused to brand as acts of terrorism the resistance mounted by the Iraqi and Palestinian peoples.
Egyptian Anti-terror legislations
1- Law no. 105/1980 to establish State Security Courts which was amended by virtue of law no. 95/2003.
2- Law no. 80/2003 to combat money laundering in order to prevent funding terror groups.
3- The State of Emergency which the People’s Assembly decided to end it on May 31, 2008 unless an anti-terror law is issued before that time.
4- Law no. 477/2006 to form a committee for the preparation of anti-terror law.
5- Amended Article 179 of the Constitution has introduced the foundations for combating terror. It stipulates as follows:
"The State shall seek to safeguard public security to counter dangers of terror. The law shall, under the supervision of the judiciary, regulate special provisions related to evidence and investigation procedures required to counter those dangers. The procedure stipulated in paragraph 1 of Articles 41 and 44 and paragraph 2 of Article 45 of the Constitution shall in no way preclude such counter-terror action."
August 1, 2007: Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils Dr. Mofied Shehab said that Egypt’s anti-terrorism Law proposes to swiftly deal with terrorist crimes given the present international conditions.
The law, he added, regulates arrest and search procedures.
August 8, 2007: Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils Dr. Mofied Shehab said that the idea of revoking the state of emergency and promulgating an anti-terrorism law is the product of the country’s current stability and security.
August 15, 2007: Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils Dr. Mofied Shehab said that the provisions of the anti-terrorism law will soon be finalized and be submitted for debate by the political parties, civil society institutions and university professors. Later, the agreed draft will be discussed by Parliament.
September 26, 2007: Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar Dr. Mohammad Sayed Tantawi said he rejected using religion as a cover for achieving political and/or terrorist ends.
September 26, 2007: Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit said that terrorism is divorced from civilization and culture and that it does not reflect the tolerant teachings of any religion founded on fraternity, forbearance and peace. Abul-Gheit was addressing a meeting of the “Alliance of Civilizations” initiative in Istanbul, Turkey.
Failure by the international community to deal with the Palestinian Question, and other instances of injustice and occupation, provides fundamentalists with ample opportunity to promote their extremist ideas, he added.
October 2, 2007: Minister of Islamic Endowment Hamdi Zaqzouk, speaking at an intellectual forum in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, said tat Islam advocates tolerance and understanding, rejects violence and terrorism.
November 19, 2007: Shura Council Speaker Safwat al-Sherif said that fighting terrorism is at the top of Egypt’s national security priorities.
November 30, 2007: Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils Dr. Mofied Shehab said that the drafting committee has developed a 58-article blue-print of the anti-terrorism law. The draft, he added, strikes a balance between the rights and duties of individuals and the safety and security of society.
December 12, 2007: Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit strongly condemned the appalling assassination of Lebanon’s Army Chief of Operations Major-General François al-Haj.
The People’s Assembly Arab Affairs Committee has meanwhile issued a statement denouncing the twin-terrorist incidents that took place in Algeria killing 68 and injuring 400. The Committee said that terrorism seeks to spread chaos and instability in Algeria.
December 27, 2007: The ministerial committee has completed its first draft of the anti-terror law. Minister of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Moufid Shehab said the law comprises 58 articles, which scarcely infringe on human rights or basic freedoms.
The law also defines the terms: terrorist crime, terrorist organization, financing of terrorism and perpetrator of terrorist crimes.
January 25, 2008: Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit denounced the terrorist blast taking place in Beirut which killed a Lebanese policeman and a number of innocent civilians.
Abul-Gheit said that it would be a misconception to maintain that the current assassination campaign could settle Lebanon’s on-going crisis in favor of one party to the detriment of the others. Events can only lead to greater persistence on both the Arab and international sides to bring the crisis to an end.
February 9, 2008: Greek Minister of Interior Prokopis Pavlopoulos said his country supported President Mubarak’s call for an international anti-terror conference. He also expressed his appreciation of the Egyptian government’s stance on illegal immigration.
December 16, 2008: The Assistant Secretary of State, who is in charge of the piracy file, said that Egypt proposed to establish an international court by a decision of the Security Council to prosecute pirates. The resolution would result in the formation of an international contact group to deal with this phenomenon and it is expected that Egypt would be among the member states.
Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Dr. Mohamed Sayed Tantawi rejected all forms of terrorism and bigotry which lead to destroy the interests of nations and peoples and prevent the progress and advancement of these nations. He stressed the role of the sound minds, intellectuals and wise men of these nations against violence and seeking the progress of the peoples.
December 17, 2008: Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the UN Maged Abdel-Fattah stressed the absence of any acts of piracy in the Red Sea. In his speech before the Security Council, he stressed the need to provide legal and practical cover for all efforts to fight piracy and not to exceed the sovereign rights recognized by the member states. He also stressed that the acts of piracy did not go beyond the Western Pacific and the Gulf of Aden in front of the coast of Somalia only.
January 24, 2009: Engineer Mohamed Mansour , the Minister of Transport announced that Egypt is keen to support all international efforts to counter sea piracy, which could affect the national income and consequently affect the national security of Egypt.
On February 6, 2009, the Interior Minister Habib el-Adli confirmed, in an interview with the Egyptian television, that Egypt’s security agenda is governed by the law and the Constitution. He explained that this agenda is given a key priority to terrorism because of the seriousness of this crime and the extent of its human, economic or social effects. He pointed out that conflict and the dangerous international changes, the latest of which is the economic conditions have severe repercussions which lead to the creation of a new hotbed of terrorism, which led to the rise of great interest to the fight against terrorism.
On March 10, 2009, President Mubarak confirmed during his speech on the celebration of Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday that the dogmatic religious discourse leads to extremism, which in turn is the beginning of the road to terrorism. The evidence we have, confirms to us all that terrorist forces are still lying in wait for us , looming from time to time with their evils, targeting this safe country and the lives and livelihoods of its citizens.
On March 22, 2009, Interior Minister Habib el-Adli confirmed, during the opening session of the Conference of Arab Interior Ministers held in Lebanon, that terrorism is an international crime, its reasons and circumstances change and evolve rapidly and we cannot say that there is no region in the world that is free from terrorism and called for international cooperation to combat terrorism and to develop plans to address this phenomenon. He pointed out that Egypt was the first country that called for the convening of an international conference on terrorism under the umbrella of the United Nations and President Hosni Mubarak warned of the danger of terrorism often.
Report Prepared and Puplished by Egyptian SIS (State Information Service), Puplic Report with No CopyRights.
In a report entitled “Freedom from Fear” issued March 2005, a UN panel described terrorism as any action "intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act."
This definition applies to acts of terrorism witnessed by Egypt in the first half of the 1990s. The policy adopted by the country’s government at that time was both wise and effective. The goal was as much to correct misconceptions as to contain terrorist elements and bring them to justice.
Terrorism is an expression of evil that remains dormant until the opportunity presents itself, either from within or due to prevailing circumstances, for it to awaken and wreak havoc.
Having brought the wave of terror within its borders to a recess, Egypt was concerned that the acts of violence it had witnessed might spill out into the world outside. It was as if it had a premonition of the 9/11 events. Hence was its call for an international conference on terrorism.
In the fight against terrorism, Egypt relies on several principles.
1. It is essential to avoid confusing acts of terror with acts of national resistance. All international agreements and conventions have endorsed peoples’ right to carrying arms against occupation forces as well as their right to self-determination.
2. It is inevitable to condemn all acts of terror; and ostracize terrorists.
3. Egypt has been calling for the convening of an international conference in which nations would pledge to confront terrorism, thus legitimizing the overwhelming wave of solidarity extended to the United States in its hour of grief and agony in the aftermath of 9/11.
4. It is essential to present a clear image of Islam and its tolerant teachings to non-Muslim nations, who deem it synonymous with extremism and violence. The fact that a number of Islamic countries are still knuckling under occupation and are resisting their occupiers has translated in the eyes of other people into being a clash of civilizations.
5. Religion has sometimes interfered with political, economic and military groups, thus reviving out-dated rhetoric and polemics. If not checked the trend may lead to religious conflicts and to greater waves of violence and extremism.
It should be made clear that no religion, be it Islam, Christianity, Judaism or Buddhism, preaches terrorism. The struggle against terrorism should proceed from collective solidarity, love of life, and not from hatred which provides neither a solution nor a refuge.
Moreover, Egypt believes that terrorism is not a religious but a political issue given that terrorist groups seek to overthrow existing legitimate regimes and assume power by using military force.
Egypt is also preparing to become a regional anti-terrorism training hub for other Middle Eastern and North African nations. Both government and religious officials continue to make statements supporting the war on terrorism and condemning terrorist actions around the world.
Following are highpoints reflecting Egypt’s efforts in the fight against terrorism:
January 26, 1986: Addressing the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, President Hosni Mubarak launched a two-point anti-terror initiative seeking a) to pursue terrorist elements and establish global security cooperation and b) to investigate and eliminate the roots of terrorism.
January 27, 1987: President Mubarak addressed the Kuwait-hosted 5th Islamic Summit, underlining the need to differentiate between obnoxious acts of terror and national resistance against foreign occupation.
March 12, 1993: Mubarak describes terrorists as a group of outlawed criminals, who fought against the Soviet Union until it collapsed in 1991 and then put their military know-how to use in acts of terror.
December 7, 1995: : President Mubarak underlines that a) terrorism is not country-specific but rather a universal phenomenon and b) global cooperation is required to check terrorist operations.
March 13, 1996: Addressing the Sharm al-Sheikh Conference of Peace-Makers, President Mubarak said that acts of terror cannot be completely prevented and that an international conference on terrorism is a must if only to inspire a feeling that terrorism is condemned by the majority of world leaders.
January 14, 1998: President Mubarak underlined that a) acts of terror spreads fear in safe communities; b) Islam is a religion that respects and cares for human life; and c) Arab cooperation is required to fight extremism.
January 25, 1999: In his speech marking Police Day celebrations, President Mubarak hailed their role in containing terrorist threats.
February 12, 2000: In an interview given to L’Agence France Presse, President Mubarak said that extremism and terrorism are not confined to Egypt but they represent an international phenomenon. Acts of violence have taken place in Europe and the US. Meanwhile, for ten years now the President has been calling for an international conference on terrorism.
September 25, 2001: Interviewed by America’s CNN, following 9/11 events, President Mubarak highlighted the fact that all countries will cooperate with the US in the fight against terror.
March 6, 2002: In remarks to the US Council on Foreign Relations, President Mubarak emphasized the fact that the tragic events of 9/11 should speed up global cooperation in the fight against terror and that Egypt has long been seeking to uproot this cancerous phenomenon.
March 10, 2003: Addressing the 6th Arab Information Ministers’ Conference, President Mubarak described terrorism as a "poisoned dagger stabbed in the heart of all those who defend it and an organized threatening the stability and security of the entire globe. He further underlined that he has called upon the international community to investigate and uproot the causes of the phenomenon.
March 21, 2004: President Mubarak renewed his call for a UN-sponsored conference on terror, in which participants commit not to grant asylum to terrorists.
April 15, 2004: In remarks to the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, President Mubarak described terrorism as the third major cause of instability. He said that the phenomenon recognizes no ethical, national or religious boundaries. Acts of violence are known to have hit places in Egypt, the US, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Israel among other countries. Acts of terror reflect the powers of evil in society. The perpetrators use religion to justify their crimes. A collective will is required in the fight against terror.
May 29, 2004: Addressing the Moscow State University of International Relations, which gave him an honorary doctorate, President Mubarak reiterated his call for an international conference on ways of fighting terrorism. His quest: to eliminate despair and frustration, on which terrorists prey as they perpetrate their evil deeds.
November 9, 2004: Marking Laylat al-Qadr, the night on which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad, President Mubarak said that neither violence nor terror can be uprooted by superimposing reform policies that are alien to our society.
He underlined that there can be no sense in implementing ambitious plans for greater democracy and freedoms when our States are denied the same rights as other members of the international community.
November 11, 2005: Addressing a joint session of the People’s Assembly and Shura Council at the opening of a new Parliamentary session, President Mubarak stressed the need to counter international terrorism, the phenomenon which he said was lately associated with a universal trend using violence as a means of protesting the failure of the international community to respond to peoples’ political, social and economic problems.
The President added that while the Police Force realized a great many achievements in order to protect the security and safety of the Egyptian society from the evils of crime and terror, the recent incident in Taba is an evidence that there remain a few stray elements that stand posing a threat to Egypt’s stability. Vigilance and awareness are therefore required to fight them.
January 4, 2005: Marking Police Day, President Mubarak said Egypt has fulfilled its responsibility with regard to the fight against terror. Egypt has long warned against the consequences of the phenomenon and has at the vanguard calling upon the international community to take action to face the threat it stands to pose to humanity’s dream of achieving peace, stability and development.
March 25, 2005: Interviewed by the French daily Le Figaro, President Mubarak was asked about the reason why the Emergency Law was still effective in Egypt. The President explained that the Law was promulgated to fight terror and drug trafficking. He further elaborated that the Egyptian authorities apply only the articles relating to acts of terrorism, which Egyptians take very seriously. "It is our duty," he said, "to adopt all the precautionary measures that countries apply in this regard."
April 21, 2005: President Mubarak addressed the nation on Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday. He says that Egyptians reject all anti-Islam and anti-Muslim sentiments as well as all forms of discrimination, hatred and bigotry. "We also discredit all prejudiced allegations which seek to stigmatize Islam and Muslims with terrorism and extremism."
"We have a responsibility, as Muslims, to refute those false accusations and to prove to the entire that ours is a nation that is capable of giving without reluctance in order to promote the values of tolerance and moderation and contribute to formulating the world present and future just as the Islamic values helped create the legacy of the past," he added
July 23, 2005: President Mubarak offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the Sharm al-Sheikh triple bombings. "Terrorism has shown us its ugly face from time to time. Acts of blind terror has been sweeping the world around us, frightening and targeting the safe. Yesterday, the evil hand of terror took the lives of innocent victims on the eve of celebrating the July 23, 1952 Revolution. This cowardly crime has sought to undermine Egypt’s security and stability and put both its nationals and its guests in harm’s way. This, however, is more likely to increase our resolve to pursue, contain and uproot terrorism."
July 28, 2005: At a public meeting held in his village school, President Mubarak said that the threats posed by terror require legislative and constitutional changes.
November 28, 2005: President Mubarak addressed the EUROMED Summit asserting that he called for an international conference on terror long before the phenomenon took on a global form.
December 8, 2005: Addressing the emergency OIC Summit in Mecca, President Mubarak said that the Islamic world recognizes the threats which are rosed by the acts of terror and extremism and realizes that by maintaining numerous problems unresolved we only feed terrorists, providing them with the causes and pretexts they need to cover their evil deeds.
August 8, 2006: Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit, interviewed by Al-Wafd newspaper said that a) Egypt does not cooperate only with the US but with the entire world in the fight against terror; b) that this cooperation is based on the resolutions adopted by the Security Council and the General Assembly and the agreement regulating this endeavor; and c) Egypt seeks to counter international terror as a phenomenon dangerously affecting international relations and local and regional conditions.
February 6, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak said extremism and terrorism have become a major world challenge.
During the ceremony held to honor Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for receiving the Nobel Prize Mubarak said that terrorism poses major threats to world peace and security. He urged the international community to reach just settlements of international conflicts to avoid fueling extremism and terrorism.
February 8, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak addressed the nation on Police Day. He said the Egyptian security agencies have been fighting terrorism and extremism over the past two decades. He said that terrorists were seeking to tarnish the image of Islam and sow seeds of sedition among Muslims and Copts.
March 12, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak told a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Egypt and Germany share identical views on the United Nations and the need to reform the world body. He said that the two countries also agree on the necessity of pooling international efforts to combat terrorism and eliminate all weapons of mass destruction.
March 25, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak says some foreign powers are raising issues with the aim of de-stabilizing Egypt’s home front.
He told the Sudanese news agency that Egypt’s security and stability were red lines that are not to be crossed; that the Egyptian people are resolved to protect their national unity.
Mubarak warned that any efforts to harm Egypt’s stability would consequently influence the situation in the Middle East. He stressed that both Muslims and Copts were fully aware of efforts aiming to sow seeds of sedition among them and were resolved to stand up against extremism and terrorism.
April 6, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak said that Muslim scholars and intellectuals shoulder the responsibility of raising the awareness of their peoples.
He told the opening session of the 18th conference of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs that it was the responsibility of Muslim scholars to promote the true image of Islam, highlight its merciful teachings and clear misconceptions associating Islam with terrorism and extremism.
He said that Muslim scholars were also called upon to encourage young people to abide by Islamic teachings to achieve progress in Muslim societies. He said that scholars must also work to highlight the peaceful and tolerant nature of Islamic civilization and underline its respect of all people.
April 12, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak calls on the Muslim nation to join hands to clear misconceptions associating Islam and Muslims with terrorism.
He said in a speech marking the occasion of the Prophet’s Birthday that terrorism was posing a threat to the whole world including Muslim countries.
He said that Egypt and the whole world were fighting together to uproot terrorism. He called for rallying international efforts to dry out means of financing acts of terrorism and solving conflicts that fuel terrorism and extremism.
April 24, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak hailed the role played by late president Anwar al-Sadat. He said in a speech marking the occasion of the Sinai Liberation Day that Sadat was assassinated by terrorists before liberating Sinai. He said Egypt has engaged in a long fighting against terrorists.
Mubarak said that terrorists were posing a threat to the world and were seeking to sow seeds of sedition among the Egyptian Muslims and Copts and to trigger instability in Egypt.
He stressed that the Egyptian people and the armed forces were resolved to defend Egypt’s national security and to achieve peace and stability in the region.
April 25, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak and the first lady visited the Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital to check on those wounded in the terrorist attacks that rocked the Red Sea resort of Dahab a day earlier.
Mubarak vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. He stressed that Egypt would take all measures necessary to secure tourists.
April 27, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak vowed to win the fight against terrorism.
He said in a speech marking Labor Day that Egypt would spare no effort to dry out the sources funding acts of terrorism. He stressed that Egypt would always be a secure and stable country.
April 29, 2006: President Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian Monarch Abdullah II held talks at the Jordanian city of Aqaba in which the two leaders tackled stability and security of the whole region and also discussed ways of fighting terrorism.
May 10, 2006: President Mubarak, answering a question on the Emergency Law, said that "the law was used only to protect Egypt from the threat of terrorism and to defend national security and stability." "Studies" he asserted, "are now underway to promulgate a new anti-terror law to replace the State of Emergency."
May 19, 2006: President Mubarak called for holding an anti-terror conference to face the threat of terror, now a global phenomenon affecting the entire world.
August 8, 2006: In press statements, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said Egypt cooperates with the whole world in the fight against terror based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
On April 2, 2007: President Mubarak indicated in his speech on Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday, that Egypt is doing its best to boost solidarity within the Islamic world with a view to countering attempts to associate Islam with terror. The country strives moreover to promote the true image of Islam, its tolerance and forbearance.
Anti-terrorism events:
December 1992 (Cairo): The Arab media expert panel meeting: Following are highpoints of the meetings conclusions:
Terrorism cannot be dissociated from either the regional or international social, economic or political conditions surrounding us.
Terrorism is religiously, legally and morally condemned.
December 1994 (Rabat Morocco): OIC Declaration of Principles on International terrorism:
1. Under no condition is any act of terror justified.
2. Commits not to financially support terrorist operations.
3. Improve cooperation within the Organization is required in the area of fighting terrorism.
4. Full commitment necessary with a view to supporting media activities promoting the correct image of Islam.
5. Proper anti-terror ethics and morals should be introduced into member-countries’ educational curricula.
April 1998: Meeting of the Arab League’s Councils of Ministers of Justice and of Interior (Cairo):
The Arab anti-terrorism treaty is endorsed which seek:
1. To maximize penalties for terrorist crimes.
2. To punish those planning to carry out acts of terror to the full extent of the law.
3. To freeze all funds used to finance acts of terror.
November 2001: Meeting of the Arab Ministers of Justice.
June 2002: 5th Arab Anti-Terror Conference.
November 2004: Meeting of the Arab Ministers of Justice on Terrorism.
April 4, 2007: Opening of Al-Gomhuria Center for Terror Studies, the participants discussed terrorism and its impact at the regional and the international levels.
They also indicated that Egypt worked to develop an effective strategy to combat terror and extremism based on foiling terrorist moves.
June 5, 2007: Prime Minister Ahmad Nazif condemned terrorism which feeds Iraq’s sectarianism and obstructs efforts to achieve national reconciliation and development in the beleaguered country. Egypt, he said, was ready to contribute to the reconstruction and rebuilding of Iraq.
June 30, 2007: At the Egypt-Europe Cooperation Conference marking the transfer of the EU presidency from Germany to Portugal, People’s Assembly Speaker Dr. Fathi Sorour outlined the key role played by President Hosni Mubarak in warning against the threat of acts of terrorism which does not differentiate between races or religions.
Sorour further highlighted Egypt’s efforts in fighting terror in all its forms and expressed support for Europe’s call to convene a conference on terrorism.
July 5, 2007: Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit strongly condemned the act of terrorism which took place in the Yemeni city of Ma’rib and targeted a group of Spanish tourists.
July 21, 2007: Minister of Legal Affairs & Parliamentary Councils Moufid Shehab said that Egypt was committed to protecting public freedoms in drafting its new anti-terror law. The Law not only abides by international agreement but is also consistent with the articles of the Constitution.
July 21, 2007: Chairman of Committee on Arab Affairs Brigadier-General Saad al-Gammal, addressing the 11th Arab-African Parliamentary Conference in Damascus, called upon Egypt to renew its call for convening an international conference on terror to be held under a UN umbrella. Participants refused to brand as acts of terrorism the resistance mounted by the Iraqi and Palestinian peoples.
Egyptian Anti-terror legislations
1- Law no. 105/1980 to establish State Security Courts which was amended by virtue of law no. 95/2003.
2- Law no. 80/2003 to combat money laundering in order to prevent funding terror groups.
3- The State of Emergency which the People’s Assembly decided to end it on May 31, 2008 unless an anti-terror law is issued before that time.
4- Law no. 477/2006 to form a committee for the preparation of anti-terror law.
5- Amended Article 179 of the Constitution has introduced the foundations for combating terror. It stipulates as follows:
"The State shall seek to safeguard public security to counter dangers of terror. The law shall, under the supervision of the judiciary, regulate special provisions related to evidence and investigation procedures required to counter those dangers. The procedure stipulated in paragraph 1 of Articles 41 and 44 and paragraph 2 of Article 45 of the Constitution shall in no way preclude such counter-terror action."
August 1, 2007: Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils Dr. Mofied Shehab said that Egypt’s anti-terrorism Law proposes to swiftly deal with terrorist crimes given the present international conditions.
The law, he added, regulates arrest and search procedures.
August 8, 2007: Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils Dr. Mofied Shehab said that the idea of revoking the state of emergency and promulgating an anti-terrorism law is the product of the country’s current stability and security.
August 15, 2007: Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils Dr. Mofied Shehab said that the provisions of the anti-terrorism law will soon be finalized and be submitted for debate by the political parties, civil society institutions and university professors. Later, the agreed draft will be discussed by Parliament.
September 26, 2007: Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar Dr. Mohammad Sayed Tantawi said he rejected using religion as a cover for achieving political and/or terrorist ends.
September 26, 2007: Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit said that terrorism is divorced from civilization and culture and that it does not reflect the tolerant teachings of any religion founded on fraternity, forbearance and peace. Abul-Gheit was addressing a meeting of the “Alliance of Civilizations” initiative in Istanbul, Turkey.
Failure by the international community to deal with the Palestinian Question, and other instances of injustice and occupation, provides fundamentalists with ample opportunity to promote their extremist ideas, he added.
October 2, 2007: Minister of Islamic Endowment Hamdi Zaqzouk, speaking at an intellectual forum in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, said tat Islam advocates tolerance and understanding, rejects violence and terrorism.
November 19, 2007: Shura Council Speaker Safwat al-Sherif said that fighting terrorism is at the top of Egypt’s national security priorities.
November 30, 2007: Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils Dr. Mofied Shehab said that the drafting committee has developed a 58-article blue-print of the anti-terrorism law. The draft, he added, strikes a balance between the rights and duties of individuals and the safety and security of society.
December 12, 2007: Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit strongly condemned the appalling assassination of Lebanon’s Army Chief of Operations Major-General François al-Haj.
The People’s Assembly Arab Affairs Committee has meanwhile issued a statement denouncing the twin-terrorist incidents that took place in Algeria killing 68 and injuring 400. The Committee said that terrorism seeks to spread chaos and instability in Algeria.
December 27, 2007: The ministerial committee has completed its first draft of the anti-terror law. Minister of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Moufid Shehab said the law comprises 58 articles, which scarcely infringe on human rights or basic freedoms.
The law also defines the terms: terrorist crime, terrorist organization, financing of terrorism and perpetrator of terrorist crimes.
January 25, 2008: Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit denounced the terrorist blast taking place in Beirut which killed a Lebanese policeman and a number of innocent civilians.
Abul-Gheit said that it would be a misconception to maintain that the current assassination campaign could settle Lebanon’s on-going crisis in favor of one party to the detriment of the others. Events can only lead to greater persistence on both the Arab and international sides to bring the crisis to an end.
February 9, 2008: Greek Minister of Interior Prokopis Pavlopoulos said his country supported President Mubarak’s call for an international anti-terror conference. He also expressed his appreciation of the Egyptian government’s stance on illegal immigration.
December 16, 2008: The Assistant Secretary of State, who is in charge of the piracy file, said that Egypt proposed to establish an international court by a decision of the Security Council to prosecute pirates. The resolution would result in the formation of an international contact group to deal with this phenomenon and it is expected that Egypt would be among the member states.
Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Dr. Mohamed Sayed Tantawi rejected all forms of terrorism and bigotry which lead to destroy the interests of nations and peoples and prevent the progress and advancement of these nations. He stressed the role of the sound minds, intellectuals and wise men of these nations against violence and seeking the progress of the peoples.
December 17, 2008: Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the UN Maged Abdel-Fattah stressed the absence of any acts of piracy in the Red Sea. In his speech before the Security Council, he stressed the need to provide legal and practical cover for all efforts to fight piracy and not to exceed the sovereign rights recognized by the member states. He also stressed that the acts of piracy did not go beyond the Western Pacific and the Gulf of Aden in front of the coast of Somalia only.
January 24, 2009: Engineer Mohamed Mansour , the Minister of Transport announced that Egypt is keen to support all international efforts to counter sea piracy, which could affect the national income and consequently affect the national security of Egypt.
On February 6, 2009, the Interior Minister Habib el-Adli confirmed, in an interview with the Egyptian television, that Egypt’s security agenda is governed by the law and the Constitution. He explained that this agenda is given a key priority to terrorism because of the seriousness of this crime and the extent of its human, economic or social effects. He pointed out that conflict and the dangerous international changes, the latest of which is the economic conditions have severe repercussions which lead to the creation of a new hotbed of terrorism, which led to the rise of great interest to the fight against terrorism.
On March 10, 2009, President Mubarak confirmed during his speech on the celebration of Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday that the dogmatic religious discourse leads to extremism, which in turn is the beginning of the road to terrorism. The evidence we have, confirms to us all that terrorist forces are still lying in wait for us , looming from time to time with their evils, targeting this safe country and the lives and livelihoods of its citizens.
On March 22, 2009, Interior Minister Habib el-Adli confirmed, during the opening session of the Conference of Arab Interior Ministers held in Lebanon, that terrorism is an international crime, its reasons and circumstances change and evolve rapidly and we cannot say that there is no region in the world that is free from terrorism and called for international cooperation to combat terrorism and to develop plans to address this phenomenon. He pointed out that Egypt was the first country that called for the convening of an international conference on terrorism under the umbrella of the United Nations and President Hosni Mubarak warned of the danger of terrorism often.
Report Prepared and Puplished by Egyptian SIS (State Information Service), Puplic Report with No CopyRights.