US embassy cable - 05CAIRO5821

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 005821 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NSC/POUNDS 
 
REF: CAIRO 5592 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, EG, Elections 
SUBJECT: MUBARAK ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY; PROPOSES ANTI-TERROR 
LEGISLATION TO REPLACE EMERGENCY LAW 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY RYAN CASTEEL, ECPO OFFICER. REASONS 1.4 (B) 
AND (D) 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (C)  In a July 28 keynote speech, President Mubarak 
made several major announcements, including his decision 
to run for a fifth term, plans to replace the Emergency 
Law with new anti-terror legislation, and a call for an 
emergency Arab summit to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh on 
August 3.  Mubarak also vowed to implement future legis- 
lative, parliamentary, and constitutional reforms with 
an aim to confront terrorism, and to continue economic 
reform.  Given his inevitable victory, the most signifi- 
cant aspect of Mubarak's announcement was his specific 
proposal to replace the Emergency Law with anti-terrorism 
legislation.  Mubarak, in a strong anti-terrorism posi- 
tion following the Sharm bombings, had a perfect opportu- 
nity to propose new measures to fight terrorism and to 
kick off his election campaign on a high note by promi- 
sing to end the unpopular Emergency Law.  End summary. 
 
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The Candidate 
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2. (U) Speaking in his hometown of Shibin el Kom in the 
central Delta governorate of Menoufiyya, President Mubarak 
announced his candidacy in Egypt's first-ever multi- 
candidate presidential election, scheduled for September 7. 
"I intend on applying for nomination so that I might run 
for the office of president in this coming presidential 
election," Mubarak said.  Adding that he will "seek to win 
the trust and support of the people for a new term," he 
emphasized that he was seeking another term not for glory, 
but for the opportunity to continue serving the people of 
Egypt.  As part of his campaign kick off, Mubarak high- 
lighted his military experience, his rise to the presi- 
dency, and his post-election vision for reform. 
 
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Emergency Law to be Abolished? 
------------------------------ 
 
3. (U) President Mubarak also called for new anti-terrorism 
legislation to replace the decades-old Emergency Law, empha- 
sizing that constitutional and legislative reforms would be 
needed to eliminate terrorism.  Noting that the Emergency 
Law had been in effect since 1914, Mubarak said "the time 
has come to create a decisive mechanism to fight terrorism." 
While defending the use of the Emergency Law to respond to 
"the tragic circumstances" of the past, he said that the 
time had come to follow the example of other countries that 
had recently passed comprehensive laws to combat terrorism. 
 
4. (U) In vowing to implement future legislative, parlia- 
mentary and constitutional reforms, especially to combat 
terrorism, Mubarak pointed out that the reforms would also 
include legislation to curb emergency powers granted to the 
President of the Republic during threats to national 
security. 
 
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Arab Conference in Sharm 
------------------------ 
 
5. (U) Mubarak also called for a regional conference to be 
held in Sharm el-Sheikh on August 3.  Stating that the 
region was witnessing "worrisome developments" in the Pales- 
tinian arena and in Iraq, and facing "many other challen- 
ges," Mubarak said a summit was needed to formulate a shared 
Arab vision. 
 
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Highlighting the Reform Agenda 
------------------------------ 
 
6. On economic issues, Mubarak confirmed his commitment to 
economic reform.  He stated that economic liberalization 
-- aimed at increasing employment and economic growth -- 
would continue to be the foundation of Egypt's economic 
reform policies.  Pledging to raise and modernize Egyptians' 
standard of living, Mubarak said that economic reform would 
continue to target modernization of the pension and social 
security systems, women's rights, support for female single- 
parent families, and protection of the lower class, inclu- 
ding workers, and farmers.  He emphasized that his policies 
would also help the middle class achieve their aspirations 
and ambitions.  Mubarak concluded that his vision was not 
wishful thinking or rosy promises, but rather an expression 
of his ability to implement it. 
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Initial Media Reaction 
---------------------- 
 
7. (SBU) Egyptian television offered its predictably 
positive commentary on President Mubarak's speech, with 
Nabil Helmy, professor of Law at Zagizig University, 
touting the "historical significance" of the announcement 
on morning talk shows.  Al-Jazeera, however, aired inter- 
views with commentators who were highly critical of speech. 
They included:  Magdi Hussein, editor of the Islamist 
newspaper Al Shaab; George Ishaq, a leader of the Kifaya, 
or "Enough" movement; and Abdallah Senawi, editor of the 
Nasserist weekly Al Arabi.  These commentators denounced 
the presidential elections as a "farce," and questioned 
Mubarak's plans for reform. 
 
8. (C) Comment:  In light of the inevitable victory for 
Mubarak in the September 7 elections, the most significant 
aspect of Mubarak's announcement was his specific proposal 
to replace the Emergency Law with anti-terrorism legisla- 
tion.  The Sharm El-Sheikh bombings provided Mubarak with 
a reason to address the long-simmering Emergency Law issue 
without appearing to back down on terrorism and gives him 
a popular move-both domestically and internationally-to 
kick off his presidential election campaign.  End comment. 
 
JONES