Egyptian Chronicles

When Haikel Speaks “2”

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:43:22 PST

I am 86 years old , I do not look for any position but if I can serve my country though saying my opinion , I will say it

Mohamed Hassanein Haikel

21/10/2009

Al Masry Al Youm

You knew how it had been like before speaking to Al Masry Al Youm , Haikel was having the usual regime attack and the Presidential bid 2010 talk has already been started very early and very hot.
I just want to clarify two points.
1- Haikel knows exactly that this is Al Masry Al Youm , this is not part of the silly war between Al Masry and Al Shorouk which Haikel is well known to be behind it directly and indirectly. I think Haikel chose this newspaper in particular to speak in to avoid any accusation or criticism to Al Shorouk ; after all the owner of Al Masry Al Youm is a NDP member businessman.
2- The regime knew what the newspaper was going to publish and Haikel knew that very well. The regime had to agreed to publish the interview as it was I assume because they know Haikel can speak anywhere he likes , let’s be honest many newspapers “if we exclude the official press” will be more than happy to interview him whether local or regional press.Already the regime must respect the fact that Haikel did not reveal his shocking suggestions on Al Jazeera but rather in our local press.
Now on the 21st and 22nd of October Al Masry Al Youm published two- part interview , Magdy El-Gald, the chief in editor was the interviewer. The first part was more powerful than the second part ; it is the first part that is causing all buzz and controversy as Haikel spoke about internal affairs in Egypt in a way I have not seen in years. The second part was about regional issues ; the Goldstone’s report …etc there is nothing new in it , it was like his Al Jazeera interview.
Here is the interview's highlights in Video with English subtitles and seriously I respect this move from Al Masry ‘ Hats off to Nora Younis ’ . The most important and interesting part of the interview was not included in the video but you can find it below in the summary

المصري يحاور هيكل from AlMasry AlYoum on Vimeo.

Haikel spoke about the following : His expectations for the future , Political parties and trends in Egypt including the Muslim brotherhood, the current political situation and the future of presidency, the Egyptian identity problem in the first part and the Middle East issue in the second part.
Here is a summary for what he said :

Haikel started his interview criticizing the regime for the country’s status quo in the past 30 years and how it affected badly our political life and also our journalistic life. Whole generations were marginalized because of his status quo
There are no parties in Egypt , the new Wafd is still fighting the revolution and the Unionist leftist party has fall with the the fall of communism. “No wonder Al Wafd and the Unionist parties have been attacking since the interview”
People are scared to engage of politics because of the Karate squads as they have dignity.
The MB brotherhood group has an original ideology but unlike other political parties and trends it did not correct its mistakes and upgrade itself like for instance the AKP in Turkey. Essam El-Arian and Abdel Manam Abdel Fatouh are from the promising figures in the group thought. “ I think he contradicts himself in this point, in previous point he said we do not have real parties where as here he said that political parties corrected their mistakes !!?? What political parties he meant in this point !!?? I believe he is biased against the MB as a Nasserite with my all respect to him”
Violence exists in every person who has a need and can’t get it.
There is a need to rebuild the state again and to have a new constitution , those two can be achieved through having a council of experts aka council state and constitution which will work on having a new constitution , the people will vote on it through public poll. The council will consist of 12 experts in different fields in Egypt like General Omar Soliman, Amr Moussa, Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, Dr.Magdy Yacoub , Dr. Ahmed Zoweil , Dr.Mohamed Ghoniam and Dr. Hazem El-Babalawy.The role of the committee will be a transitional one for 3 years where new generations can take over from there. Mubarak and the army should stay to back and support the council in those 3 years and that will the last and greatest service will do to this country. “ I believe I should dedicate a whole post to this point because this is the one that created all the buzz and controversy”
We can have a cabinet headed by Rashid Mohamed Rashid and his vice could be Youssef Ghali !!!???
This is only way according to him as the current constitution and its longest infamous article no.76 are standing the progress of this country and having a real political life.
We can’t have independent universities as long as we do not have independent judiciary.
We will have chaos if we do not find a solution , we will start from the beginning whether we want it or not sooner or later.
The regime will not accept this suggestion , still it has either to serve the country or itself. “The regime will not only accept this suggestion from him but from anyone else too”
It is injustice to Gamal Mubarak to push in the political arena , people dislike him and it is not from his right to run for elections because he is privileged than other citizen plus Mubarak made it clear “Egypt is not Syria” “It is true I agree with him”
Rashid Mohamed Rashid and the rest of the businessmen’s cabinet are not that bad , they are promising but businessmen should remain businessmen and do not get involved in Politics. “ This part can be misinterpreted as being bias to the ministers whose economic policies contributed successfully to his sons’ huge corporations , I think Haikel is not good in economics as he is good in politics as he does not understand the fact that we were already living in economic crisis before the international financial crisis.”
The Middle Class now is living in New Cairo and Sheikh Zaid behind the compounds’ walls !! The old Middle Class is currently the working class. “ I thought those who were living in those new compounds are the rich class !!”
We lost our national identity since the 1970s “Camp David” .
The demands of Egyptians are the same since I do not know when : Justice , freedom and equality.
He respects Mubarak who offered to treat him from Cancer on the expense of the state and he refused because he has got money and other people need it. He respects Mubarak but disagrees with him. What is written in the official press does not represent Mubarak’s views sometimes.
The American administration will treat the Egyptian regime in the same way the Egyptian regime treats its citizens.
Goldstone report ‘s effective and powerful parts were not included in the final published report.
He disagreed wit Lord Owen on what he said about the 1973 , it was a military victory that was lost by politics ; still it is a great military victory with no doubt.

This was what Haikel said and I think it was not too much compared to what other have been saying in reaction of his bold suggestion

Technorati Tags: Democracy,Citizen Journalism,Egypt,Egyptians,Follow Up,Arab,Haikel,Media,Mubarak,Gamal Mubarak,Omar Soliman,ElBaradei,Palestine,Goldstone,Video,war,Press,1973 war,Economy,Mideast,Middle East

Nous Sommes Tous Fatma, We Are All Fatma

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:42:35 PST

Fatma Riahi aka Fatma Arabicca is a Tunisian blogger who was arrested on the 2nd of November 2009 by the criminal Brigade Gorjani in Tunis for defamation and being the woman behind “Debat Tunise” blog !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Strangely Fatma is the only one behind “Debat Tunise” in fact she is be behind it at all as the blog continued to post cartoons after arrest but what can you say !!??

This is the last cartoon published in the “Debat Tunise”

Fatma’s blog as you can see has been closed despite according to the information I could find the 34 years old Tunisian blogger spoke only about her dreams in freedom of expression , of course this is considered as an insult and an attempt to rebel against Ben Ali !!

Tunisian bloggers believe that Fatima was arrested in an attempt to know the real names of those behind “Debat Tunise” blog , hopefully they will fail.
The trial of Fatma is expected to be next 9th of November
I am not really surprised at this , this is Tunisia under Ben Ali’s rule , it is not a strange thing , the strange thing is how the world watches in silence giving no damn , may be because I do not need to tell that Ben Ali is the West’s ally and he knows to play very well. Of course one day Ben Ali’s regime will be down and the Tunisian people will be free and remember those who supported that dictator and those who supported them for real. Believe people do remember very well.
You can find the news of Fatma in this blog , please support her.

Update :

Fatma has been released today :D
This is really good news.
Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Bloggers,Bloggings,Fatma Arabicca,Fatma Riahi,News,Africa,Africans,Arabs,Arab,Human rights Days,Tunisia,Tunisians,Women,Politics,Geek,Ben Ali,Debat Tunise,Cartoon

When Gandhi Met Mubarak

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:40:00 PST

I found this news in an Indian news website and I felt it is worth sharing.

Rahul Gandhi meets Gamal Mubarak

I really like this statement :

The scions of ruling political families in India and Egypt congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Egyptian President's son Gamal Mubarak -- met today and had some serious talk over how to enhance bilateral cooperation

The scions of ruling political families in India and Egypt !!?? I do not know how we can consider or compare the Mubaraks by the Nehru-Gandhi family in India !! The Nahrus are a political family which can be compared to the Kennedys not to the Mubaraks !!

There is a huge difference between the Mubaraks and the Nahrus for God sake , Rahul Gandhi comes from the biggest democratic country in the world where as Gamal Mubarak fears the word democracy with all what it means as in democracy he will not be in that position he enjoys right now !!

The Mubaraks are not an old political family , it is just Mubarak , the father who came from the army to presidency by coincidence and then his son who does not know what politics and economics are.
I do not know how both discussed ways to combat poverty in their countries , after all one of them believes his country does not really suffer from poverty !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,Asia,Democracy,National,Politics,India,Gamal Mubarak,Rahul Gandhi,News,Mideast,Middle East,economy

Farouk Hosni’s Muses

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:16:00 PST

I do not know what is the meaning of those awful posters of CIFF , what those ladies from minority report represent to Egypt or Cairo exactly !!??

Are these Farouk Hosni’s muses !!??

Seriously I understand Cairo international film festival is an Egyptian film festival held in Cairo and thus its poster should reflect something from this Cairian Egyptian factor !!!

Our international film festival is unique despite all obstacles it is facing , its competitive advantages are that it is the oldest film festival in the region and it is held in Egypt , the real Hollywood of Orient which has the oldest Cinema industry in the region. I do not know why I am talking , we know that film festival won’t for real regain its position except if it is not well reorganized and we all know this talk will lead us to Farouk Hosni by the end of the day !!

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Culture,Farouk Hosni,CIFF,Cairo Film Festival,Minority Report,Cairo,National,Egypt,Mideast,Middle East

ElBaradei To Amanpour : Never Say Never

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:26:15 PST

It is international now , ElBaradei was interviewed yesterday by Christiane Amanpour in CNN and it would have been a very repeated interview if Amanpour only focused on Iran “Despite in the website it is all about Iran” ; she could ignore the fact that he caused a buzz last month in his home country when he spoke directly about the Presidential elections in 2011.

Amanpour asked him if he will run for Egyptian presidency and he answered that he does rule out run for Egyptian presidency in 2011 making it clear that he will only consider it if there is a free and fair election and that is a question mark still in Egypt.
A big question mark indeed , he is still using diplomacy but may be this time his answer was more specific , more changeling too to Mubarak and son if I may say. We all know that it will be hardly to have free elections if we do not have a complete and honest judicial supervision or international supervision which by the way was requested by the Egyptian campaign against succession lately.
I really love the fact his indirect statement that we do not have real free democratic elections in Egypt. Man I know how the official media will receive this.
ElBaradei with these statements has renewed the debate and this is a good thing because it shows that from 79,999,999 million Egyptians there are other people than Gamal Mubarak who can actually rule this country.
I think Washington is regarding ElBaradei as a potential candidate ,the man has two things Gamal do not have : Political experience and popularity in the country just like Amr Moussa.
BY the way I am turning to find the complete Amanpour’s interview online but I have not been so lucky up till now. All what I find is that part concerning Iran.

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,National,Democracy,Media,Video,Mohamed ElBaradei,CNN,Chistiane Amanpour,Iran,Nuclear,elections,Presidential elections 2011,Egyptians,International,Mideast,Middle East

An Insult To Humanity

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:49:00 PST

I read the story of Ota Benga whom I believe that the Bronx Zoo should apologize for his terrible exploitation from more than 100 years ago !!

When you read the story of Ota Benga , you find it terribly sad and disgusting ; the poor man killed himself at the end after unpleasant life

Those human zoos were insult to humanity , I just can’t imagine how awful it is , do not tell time then was different and there were some white racists who believe in white supremacy evolution !!

Technorati Tags: Africa,African Faces,America,Zoo,Bronx Zoo,History,Human rights,society,Media,Congo,pymgys,Ota Benga

Remembering The 5th Of November

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:23:01 PST

I really wonder why every time the Suez war or the Suez Crisis is mentioned or remembered in the media , it is considered more of a diplomatic crisis that led to military conformation than from a real war that caused the destruction of a whole city and the death of innocent civilians for no good reason except economic and political domination.
I do not know is it because Port Said had seen another war in less than a decade or what that the world has forgotten how its people had suffered in those terrible days or what exactly that suddenly no one remember those terrible scenes I see in the photos and I read in the stories who lived and saw their houses destroyed and their families killed in front of their eyes. We are not whiners , in 1956 despite the fact that two powerful countries unleashed their hell on the city , the honorable people of Port Said stood defending it in a legendary way but it makes me sad that no remembers this.
This slideshow below includes few photos from Port Said in 1956 , they show a little piece of the destruction the city suffered because of the Anglo-French attack on the Suez Canal cities.

You can find more photos here from Modern Egypt’s memory

There is no excuse what so ever to UK,France and Israel to unleash this war , there is no real excuse what so ever despite their claims which do not meet the death and destruction they caused in Egypt. There were terrible war crimes committed by the three countries and as usual they got away with it despite the fact at that time they were and up till now are chasing the Nazis for their crimes against humanity.

What is difference between Joseph Mengele and that doctor who took the eyes of Mahran in Cyprus ??

Nothing both were war criminals who thought they are greater than those helpless people under their scalp , the only difference is that the doctor who took the eyes of Egyptian Mahran got away with it !! Man I wish to know who that doctor was and what happened to him , in fact I wish to know how that British soldier who was given the eyes of Mohamed Mahran saw the world through Egyptian eyes !!??? I wish some day we get to that doctor and prosecute him for crimes of war , he should be exposed for his crime. The Nazi hunters looked Hiem for decades and we should do the same for that butcher who took the eyes of Mohamed Mahran !!

Mohamed Mahran does not want to say his name and I do not know why but we can know it from the records and reports if we want !!

Egyptian people do not whine and the evidence is how we re-built Port Said twice in the 20th century after two awful wars , we do not whine but I believe we should remember all those great people who died in Port Said whether unarmed or armed defending their country , they should not be forgotten ever.

By the way here are very rare news reels from UK about the protests against the war Eden launched on Egypt.

Here was a speech by Hugh Gaitskell , the leader of opposition demanding the resignation of Eden.

Here was a students protest in Glasgow condemning the war

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,National,Politics,Video,media,Suez War,Port Said,1956,war,Mideast,UK,France,Israel,Human rights,war crimes,Mohamed Mahran

NDP Web 2.0

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:27:00 PST

The NDP has launched an official Youtube channel online. Do we have to head to Vimeo now or what ??
Of course I can't take anymore of the NDPians comments on their videos, these comments I would to hint do not represent the majority of the Egyptian people
The NDP marketers are being paid LE 1500 per month and they have to work to deserve every penny in it !!
Man I am scared on twitter.
Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism, Egypt, Democracy , Media, Youtube, Politics, Web, activism, Middle east, mideast, NDP

Did Not I tell You !!??

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:22:00 PST

As I have expected MBs in the parliament are rejecting and fighting Beyonce concert in Port Ghalib this weekend reopening a debate about raising similar issues in the parliament.
First of all knowing how Beyonce's concerts are even before the her Sasha demonic theme in the latest tour I expected that religious parties or rather groups from both religions in the country will reject and attack the concert.
Second of all it is something expected from the Muslim brotherhood.
Third again and again this is a Very A VIP class concert , the Egyptians whom the MBs and the conservatives Christians fear on their morale and represent in the parliament are not the target audience of the concert and they have never been in the minds of this concert organizers.
Fourth before blaming the ministries of tourism and Culture , why no one is blaming Port Ghalib and El-Kharafi for hosting Beyonce and destroying the morale of the Egyptians and their values !!?? Port Ghalib is a city owned by El-Kharafi just El Jouna and the Swairises !!??

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,Beyonce,Culture,Media,Economy,Society,Follow Up,National,Port Ghalib,Red Sea,Concert,Religion,Mideast,Middle East

A Beautiful Marketing Disaster

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:05:10 PST

If you hear tomorrow that angry Algerian hooligans have crashed every single Coca Cola bottle in their country , do not be surprised.

If you hear tomorrow that someone has set the Coca Cola factory there on fire do not be surprised.

If you find that the Algerians are calling for boycotting Coke do not be surprised.

Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to present to you the latest Coca Cola Ad “With no offense to our Algerian brothers and sisters”

Coca Cola 1989 TVC Egypt vs. Algeria

This can be , in fact it will be a marketing disaster for Coke in Algeria by all measures , Coca Cola the official sponsor of Egyptian football fans as it calls itself in Egypt reminds people with what happened on the 17th of November 1989 !!

Honestly from artistic view I like the ad and the song of Shadia moved me a lot , I can’t remember that day but I remember the 1990 world cup. Anyhow back to the ad I think Coke is trying to make people forget its ugly advertising Campaign in the U-20 World Cup in Egypt and they will with that ad so easily especially that Pepsi’s Tamer Hosni latest advertising Campaign proved to be big fiasco by all means.

Despite how beautiful this ad is from the artistic point of view , I do not know if it is the suitable time to release it in this tension between the two countries.

The Algerian FM has visited Egypt to speak with his Egyptian counterpart and there is talk that the presidents of both countries will attend the match in order to ensure maximum security , I do not know about the Algerian President’s security but I know ours very well.

Officially the ministers in both countries are trying to avoid the coming disaster Next Friday the 14th and honestly all the people in Cairo are expecting to have a war between the hooligans of both countries regardless of who is going to win.

Technorati Tags: Egypt,Algeria,Video,Media,Citizen Journalism,Arab,Africa,Culture,Ads,Arts,1989,World Cup 2010,Football,Soccer,Middle East,North Africa,Coca Cola

Le Monde Sans Egypte*

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:07:13 PST

We have an Arabic edition from Le Monde Diplomatique which is published as a monthly supplement of Al Akhbar newspaper and I noticed that the supplement rarely includes any articles about Egypt from near or far. Of course I should have known better , it turned out that Al Akhbar can remove all the articles and topics concerning Egypt they see inappropriate according to an agreement with the French Publisher !! Of “inappropriate” means all the articles criticizing the current political , economic and social situations in Egypt.

This is according to the Chief in editor of the Le Monde Diplomatique’s Arabic edition who revealed to Al Masry Al Youm this dirty little secret !!

Here in French a list of articles and reports published in original Le Monde Diplomatique and I do not see why they would be censored and removed !!

With my all respect to the French publishing house but if I were in their shoes I would say big No. For God sake this is a newspaper dealing with geopolitics not a Cosmopolitan magazine so it would be censored to fit a conservative society !!

*“Le Monde sans Egypte means the world without Egypt”

Technorati Tags: Politics,Democracy,Egypt,France,Le Monde Diplomatique,National,Europe,Freedom of expression,Press,Mideast,Middle East

H1N1 Follow Up : No.5 to be accurate

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:28:36 PST

First of all the minister of health has declared that the 9 years boy who had died last Saturday did not die because of H1N1 , the boy died because of medical implications resulted from the dosage of medicine he was given, he died because of the wrong prescription of medicine and currently those who treated him whether in private hospitals or private clinics are interrogated.It is a scandal and a disgrace which did not take its correct position in the media coverage ; wrong prescription kills hundreds of people annually in this country because of neglect and stupidity.
Yesterday the ministry of health has announced the death of 23 years old lady from Giza governorate because of H1N1 , she has been in some medical center since last 28 of October 2009. Now the media has considered her our H1N1 fatal case No. 6 where as she is no.5 if we take in consideration that the 9 years old boy officially did not die because of H1N1 thus our death toll should be 5 !!
I hope that I am not the only one to notice in this H1N1 mania.
Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism, Heath, Society, H1N1, Swine Flu, Death toll, Egypt, Giza, Mideast, Middle East

So These Were Not The Real Numbers

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:44:00 PST

My mom’s cousin is a surgeon and one of his patients is from the survivors of Ayyat train crash and he told him that the numbers the government declared officially were untrue and far from the actual numbers.

The death toll was much , much higher than what was officially declared , the death toll is like what the villagers living near the railways at Ayyat had said , about 150.

The injured are also more than those declared.

By the way the families had to pay LE 200 to get their relatives’ dead bodies from the morgue too !!!

And they are wondering why people do not trust the government or the regime or the party.

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,News,National,Follow Up,Health,Ayyat,Train collision,trains,Mideast,Middle East

Was Not This An Agricultural Land ??

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:33:00 PST

I saw an ad yesterday in Al Sharq Al Awsat’s first page about a luxurious residential project on the Nile , yes on the Nile. This project is called Nile Residence ; it is simply a compound of villas directly on the Nile. What made me interested in knowing more about that project the fact that it is 30 minutes from Cairo Sheraton which means it is Cairo and it turned to be true ; it is in Badarshin and now I have a question : Was not this piece of land an agricultural land in the first place ?

The ad was about its second phase , yes the first phase was finished and its unites were sold !!

The project is owned by a company called Al-Moaz group that seems to target the rich Gulf clients , otherwise why are they advertising in Al Sharq Al Awsat and do not advertise in Al Ahram !!??

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,Economy,National,Society,News,Nile,Residential projects,Mideast,Middle East

Happy Egyptian Love Day

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:25:22 PST

Happy Egyptian Love Day
Today is the 4th of November our Egyptian Love Day
The Egyptian Love Day which was invented by Mustafa Amin is more general than the Valentine's day and more local if I may say.
Happy Egyptian Love Day
For Egyptians , try to love Egypt more and more

Best Minister in Africa and Asia

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:02:00 PST

Youssef Ghali has been chosen as the best minister of finance in Africa and Asia !! Yes this is for real , it is not a joke nor it is April’s fool. It seems that an economic journal called “African Banker” has chosen him as the best minister of finance in Africa and Asia despite it is “African Banker” not “African and Asian Banker” !!

Seriously I do not know on what basis they chose Ghali to be the best minister of finance in Africa and Asia even in some unknown journal with my all respect to its editors ; we are not speaking here about the Economist for God Sake !!

Look Ghali can claim what ever he wants , he can be happy with that position in IMF which I wonder he got and he could not improve his country’s own economy for God sake !!

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,Economy,Democracy,Africa,Asia,Media,National,Politics,Youssef Ghali,Middle East,Mideast

Visionary Leader !!

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:03:00 PST

I wonder if Abu Mazan truly sees the misery and suffering of the Palestinian people !!

Technorati Tags: Palestine,Arab,Abu Mazan,Mahmoud Abbas,Politics,Photos,Regional,Palestnians,Human rights

Before Haikel Speaks “1”

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:45:17 PST

You may agree or disagree with Haikel , you may like or dislike him but you have to admit that he managed to become one of Egypt’s icons in journalism and politics in the 2nd half of the 20th century. I do not need to introduce him to you.
Haikel managed in the past four weeks to create a political buzz or rather political uproar in the midst of this early elections talk unlike anyone else , I believe he created more buzz than Moussa and El-Baradei .
Of course It is an old news that Haikel is considered from the opposition in the eyes of the regime now and annually he must attack Mubarak and his regional policies or Gamal Mubarak’s his succession’s plans whether directly or indirectly ; it became an annual habit but this year in the past 4 weeks let’s just say he had done what he used to do in a whole year.
Starting with his interview on Al Jazeera commenting about the latest regional events beside his weekly show about the history of Egypt from his point of view and his experience, from time to time Al Jazeera records a special episode with Haikel discussing the latest regional events where the veteran journalist and former minister of information in Egypt shares his views and also what he knows from the backstage or to be accurate from political gossip.
As usual in his latest Al Jazeera interview he criticized the Egyptian regional policies mainly and directly stating that Egypt has lowered the price Israel pays for our gas for the eyes of Farouk Hosni , well Hosni has lost and according to press reports Egypt did not lower but increased the price a little bit. He also criticized the Egyptian/Arabic- Iranian relations , wondering why our mutual relations were good during the monarchy and bad after the Islamic revolution !! I do not know when the Arabic Iranian relations were good , even in the time of Shah, the Shah had very few Arab friends in the regions , the rest were behind Egypt and did not like him. They were fighting over the name of the Gulf : Arabian or Persian !!
Even when Egypt befriended Iran during the Shah’s last era , we began to lose our Arab allies one by one because of Sadat’s Peace initiative.
I will not speak much about his interview in Al Jazeera because if you focus in it you will find him repeating what he had said before from indirect attack to Sadat to criticizing Egypt over and over as if we are the only country in the Arab world !! I do not know why he does not criticize the rest 21 countries with their dictators and their relations with Israel. Yes our regional and also international policies suck and they are simply the reflection of bad internal policies but I just can’t take anymore criticism as if we are responsible on everything bad in this world , he should know better that the Egyptian people are so exhausted.
You can read the transcript of the two parts interview here and there.

As usual Haikel received the usual attack from the regime’s speakers , from the type of Abdullah Kamal and Ali Ibrahim
Next Haikel did not speak actually but he hosted Lord David Owen who spoke too much and made too many people angry from him and from Haikel. Haikel hosted Lord Owen in Cairo in his Haikel Arab journalism foundation lecture series where he hosts international journalists and decision makers to speak about politics and journalism..etc.

Lord Owen really chose interesting topics to speak about in Egypt still he chose the wrong timing for sure , he came at the epic time of our national pride to tell us in his first lecture at the AUC that the Yom Kippur was a defeat militarily and politically for Egypt !!! I do understand that he does not have a military background and that’s why he may understand that we lost the war because the Israeli tanks were few kilometers away from Cairo despite those Israeli tanks could not invade two weak cities in the Suez Zone nor could they advance to Cairo ; it was a silly suicide mission from the Israelis backed up by the Americans to restore their dignity nothing more and nothing less. According to news reports the audience were shocked and angry that the moderate of the lecture ; the representative of Haikel’s foundation tried to save the day saying that it was
Lord Owen and other similar Western politicians do not recognize in the first place with my all due respect that Israel was invading our land and that we are capable to restore back our land whether through war or through peace ; to prove what I am saying you only have to read what he told the audience not to consider him as the invader in reference to the British occupation for Egypt !!!!
I really wished that Lord Owen had kept his own political views to himself and stuck to why really Haikel had invited to Cairo ; to speak about the health of the rulers and how their health affects the decision making …etc. I do not need to explain that both Owen and before him Haikel are referring to Mubarak.
This is what mainly Owen I believe was invited to speak about and unfortunately nobody gave a damn.He spoke that topic in his second lecture after it was too late ; the audience were angry from him ,the press was angry from ; nobody listened to what he said !! Mubarak was lucky man that Owen decided to share his views about October war with the Egyptians !!
Haikel did not attend the two lectures but because he invited Owen , because he had had just attacked on the regime in Al Jazeera and because he is Haikel the regime media found it a golden opportunity to attack Haikel who does not respect our martyrs and our victory .. etc. Haikel has his own views regarding the 1973 war which were influenced mainly with his clash with Sadat mainly and everybody in Egypt knows this very well and understands it. Thus the regime press considered a conspiracy of the man who were from those who fooled the public in 1967 to spoil the pride and the joy of the victory.
I do not know if Haikel knew that his friend will speak about Yom Kippur war but I know that 100% he knew his views very well
And As usual Haikel received the usual attack from the regime’s speakers , from the type of Abdullah Kamal and Ali Ibrahim.
If you think that the old veteran journalist has stopped at here ,you are wrong because Haikel has just started his fall activities and I do not think that the regime and its media were ready to the uproar he caused when he really spoke just right after Al Jazeera interview and Owen’s views about the 1973 war at the same time our presidential bid talk has started

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,Democracy,Egyptians,Media,National,Politics,1973 war,Regional,Israel,Haikel,David Owen,Al Jazeera,Mubarak,Sadat

Just Saying….

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:39:07 PST

That Ali Ibrahim of Al Gomhouria reminds me with Saleh Nasr

Ali Ibrahim wrote a firing op-ed today in Al Gomhouria about Mubarak’s Speech in the NDPC 2009.

One thing for sure Ali Ibrahim made the impossible , he made so people miss the days of Samir Ragab !!!

I believe no one is competing Ali Ibrahim in hypocrisy and kissing the regime ass technically except Abdullah Kamal , Kamal wants to be promoted to a major public press house ; I do not know what Ibrahim wants , may be he wants to secure his place.

Ibrahim is not less than rude than Kamal when it comes to defending the regime whether it is right or wrong. He has caused diplomatic crisis with Qatar from couple of months when he attacked Sheikha Mouza and he described Hassan Nasrallah by description no polite gentleman should use in public.

He hates all those against the regime including of course us “The bloggers”

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egyptians,Egypt,Salah Nasr,Photos,Politics,Democracy,Mideast,Middle East,Al Gomhouria,Mohamed Ali Ibrahim

From Cairo With Love To Algiers

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:03:00 PST

Yesterday was the 55th anniversary of the Algerian Revolution of independence aka the Algerian war , I really would like to share our Algerian brothers and sisters their pride with this great occasion . It is not a great independence war in our Arabic history or African history only but also in the modern world history ; it was not an easy mission to liberate a country from 132 years of colonization !!

Personally I love this war because my grandfather had covered that war and as my grandmother described it , it was very intense and scary because he was with the FLN in the mounts , he made interviews and reports about Gamila Bouhird and I remember how he used to tell me that she was a beautiful young girl who was badly tortured because she defended her country. I am astonished at how the Western media is ignoring such woman , of course in the current world diction she would be considered as a terrorist !!

Ahmed Ben Bella was dear friend to my granddad , he is from the people that I wish I would meet them one day ,a truly nationalist icon.

Egypt proudly participated in this war and I think it was from the few achievements of Nasser. By the way I once read that President Mubarak was arrested in Morocco for smuggling weapons to the FLN using the Moroccan skies !!?? I do not know if that rumor was true or not , hopefully it is true as it is an honor to do such thing if you ask me.

I want to apologize to all the Algerians for the insults of those idiot hooligans in Egypt against them and their country , screw the world cup 2010 if it will make us lose Algeria.

I really wish that I would have remember this occasion earlier , I remember that I saw couple of raw photos from my granddad’s archive from this war ; hopefully one day I will upload them.

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,Arab,Africa,War,Women,Politics,Algeria,Ahmed Ben Bella,Gamila Bouhird,National,regional,Algerian War,Sports,football

The Party Woman

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:23:02 PST

Rumors are circulating that minister of employment force Aisha Abdel Hady has kissed the hand of Suzanne Mubarak today morning in the NDPC 09 , there are some news that Abdel Hady will get sacked off her position in the so-called coming ministerial reshuffle after the increasing rate of strikes in factories across the country. Abdel Hady knows to whom she would bag to stay in her place : Suzanne Mubarak. I am currently investigating if it is true.
Only now publicly Suzanne Mubarak has merged as the supporter of her son’s quest to presidency against Hosni Mubarak according to opposition icons like Dr.Hassan Nafea whom at last said it clearly after years of speaking about it in closed doors.
According to Nafea the first lady is the one who is supporting her son with the help of the businessmen , where as Hosni Mubarak who is also according to several sources dislike the idea is fighting that by his own way !!
I remember reading from couple of years ago that a Russian magazine had claimed that Mubarak was going to appoint Omar Soliman as his vice president and that Suzanne Mubarak stopped against that decree for the sake of her son !! The half Welsh-half Upper Egyptian is a strong woman indeed !!
I do not know where truth is from all that , let’s be straight here , if Mubarak does not want his son to become the President after him , he can prevent that very easily he got the army and the intelligence plus the people if he wants too !! But in reality Gamal Mubarak is too close to inherit his father’s throne !!
Look I understand the ambitions of Suzanne Mubarak and how much she loves her son but seriously if she is behind him in this presidency thing then she is throwing him in the hell by her own hands in front of her own eyes.
Anwar Al Sadat was smart enough to make his son Gamal stay from politics, Nasser’s offspring were still young despite Huda was said to be prepared to become Egypt’s Indira Gandhi.
Suzanne Mubarak whether we like or not has reserved for herself an important position in the history of modern Egypt , very few women in our modern history have affected decision making like her.

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,Women,Politics,Photos,Media,Video,Suzanne Mubarak,National,Democracy,Gamal Mubarak,Hosni Mubarak,Omar Soliman,National securtiy,Mideast,Middle East

Follow Up : NDPC 2009 Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:42:40 PST

Ok today was the second day of the NDPC circus ; Prime minister Nazif and Gamal Mubarak spoke today. Nazif spoke as usual as the prime of another Egypt in far far away Galaxy in a long time ago !! I do not know how he thinks that people believe him seriously !!

Anyhow most people do not give damn about what he said but about what Gamal Mubarak said today.

Just like Ahmed Ezz he attacked the opposition and the media which do not respect the party ,which paint it black for the public and just like Ahmed Ezz he refuses to admit that the people actually are against him.

I really wish that Gamal Mubarak and Co. watch Amr El-Lathy show every Thursday before speaking. El-Lathy can’t be considered from the opposition and what he presents is the real achievement of Hosni Mubarak and the NDP in 28 years !!

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,National,Politics,Follow Up,NDPC 2009,NDP Conference,Gamal Mubarak,Ahmed Nazif,Economy,photos,Cairo,Mideast,Middle East

This Was Fast

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:21:00 PST

It is very interesting that right after the announcement of the Egyptian campaign against succession we find this big media quarrel between Ayman Nour and Ragab Hamida !!

Here is a clip from a confrontation that happened between them last Thursday night.

He accused Nour of forgery and treason and Nour accused him of the same thing in a very loud voice intended to divert the attention from the succession campaign.

This was really fast and if I may say , we should have seen this coming !!!

MP Ragab Hamida was all respect reminds with Mohammad Azzam of The Yacoubian building , it is well known that he is from the regime’s faces that claim to be from the opposition.

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,Politics,News,Ayman Nour,Ragab Hamida,NDP,El-Ghad Party,National,Middle East,Media,Democracy,TV,Video

Photos Of The Week : NDPC 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:27:00 PDT

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,NDP,Mubarak,Politics,Gamal Mubarak,News,National,Photos,Ahmed Ezz,Mideast,Middle East,The photo of the week

RIP Amin Howeidi

noreply@blogger.com (Zeinobia) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:58:13 PDT

Amin Howeidi , the former spy Chief and minister of war during presidents Nasser has passed away today after month of severe illness.

Amin Howeidi who was born on 22nd of September 1922 was the first official in Egypt to head GIS and minister of war at the same time. He occupied 3 ministerial positions , first as the national guidance minister then State’s minister then minister of War.

He became Egypt’s spy Chief from 1967 to 1970 , several successful operations against Israel and Mossad happened during his era for the record

He was arrested among the centers of power in 1971.

He was from the few spy chiefs who spoke after leaving the agency , he wrote more than 25 books in Arabic and English about the Middle East. He was also a regular columnist in several Egyptian newspapers like Al Ahram Weekly

His funeral was today afternoon and despite he was the minister of war the president did not attend , it seems that he was busy with the NDP Conference. Anyhow the former general according news reports had a military funeral attended with the army and intelligence men.

I disagree with Howeidi’s political views as a hardcore Nasserite but I can’t deny what he had done to this country. May God bless his soul.

Technorati Tags: Citizen Journalism,Egypt,Egyptians,Photos,Egyptian X-Files,History,Media,National,National Security,spy,Politics,War,Amin Howeidi,GIS,Egyptian Intelligence,Nasser,Middle East Mideast