Parliament 22nd Oct 09 Egypt's Future an overview.

Khalid Nadim had arranged these speakers on Egypt's future and where they should go from here. Nigel Evans MP said for him the key topics on Egypt's future were, Climate Change and Education, and that 2 Billion £'s was spent each year and where was it going?? and people should listen to one another and he felt that Jamal would take over from Mubarrack eventually.
The Brotherhood holds 15th of government seats, someone interjected from the audience. "Why was there no mention of the relationship of the Government, and Hamas and Fatah" this was a member of the Damiyeta Civil Society. Then it was mentioned that the money was coming from Iran from a Sunni province inside the Brotherhood. Iran is specifically supporting the Jundale report. Mr Tony Lerman again reiterated his support for the women of that area. The situation in Gaza: Egypt is playing a treacherous role at the Raffa crossing which could be seen as very sadistic. Islam seems to be in a juxposition role with religion being in the firing line and the Arabs are in control with their hand on the door handle, How far can they go? The Egyptian people are behind the people of Gaza, as Dr Maria Kuma said and she brought up the issue of Women, which became a "hot topic" as 64 seats had been allocated in June 2005 and 8 wealthy women had been appointed by the President but four ladies had been elected.

PLO betrays Palestinians

This is too much. Sami sent us his latest article. Unbelievably poignant:

A diplomatic, political and legal disaster has left people in Gaza shocked and disillusioned, and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), and its President look like they are trying to cover the sun in continuing to deny their responsibility for it.

In a move that stunned Palestinians, the representative of Palestine to the United Nations (UN) mission requested the postponement of a vote last week at the Human Rights Council to endorse the report of the fact-finding mission into the war on Gaza earlier this year. That was the mission – headed by Judge Goldstone – that highlighted Israeli breaches to international humanitarian law.

The Middle East Peace Process- The Latest

Following the tripartite UN meeting; Mr Barack Obama declares his commitment to the Israeli Palestinian process with vigour and identifies the situation as “a key foreign policy priority”. Mr Obama certainly bought about a sense of urgency to the situation. The US secretary of state, Hilary Clinton, echoes the needed urgency at the UN general speech assembly, and describes the administration as “determined” in its efforts to reach a two-state solution. It has been recognised that to reach such an achievement is a difficult objective yet the US administration persists its demand to “end the occupation that began in 1967”.

A sense of cynicism is in the air, considering that the latest developments seem to be replaying historical footage. Reaching “peace” has always been at the forefront of priority, US determinism for change is a continual motion; and a collaborated promise from both Israeli and Palestinian leaders is a consistent exercise. All of which seems to remain within the confines of orchestrated speeches and friendly handshakes. Obama however promises that a resolution will be met with his personal efforts into the crisis. A promise of hope is expressed by Obama as he explains at the latest UN general assembly; “even though there will be setbacks, and false starts and tough days- I will not waiver in my pursuits of peace.”

Unlike his predecessors however, there is a change in attitude to the situation. Previously the US administration has viewed each problem independently; however Obama wishes to readdress the Middle Eastern crisis at an interconnected level. This link which has been highlighted by Obama suggests important developments into the future of the Middle East peace process and US interest. With the prolongation of the Arab Israeli conflict, comes a corresponding ignition of extremism into the wider region. With this association having been made, it is identifiable that the plight of the Palestinians plays into the hands of Islamic extremists.

The tripartite UN meeting ended with Obama initiating blunt warning towards Israel so as to at the very least freeze the Jerusalem settlement activity in the occupied west bank since this “undermines efforts to achieve peace”. With this put into plan, Obama wishes to gradually reach a more “permanent status”.

However it has been reported that such a warning has made little impact, considering that Israel has rejected Obama’s wishes and persists with its illegal settlement construction. Abbas in return has expressed his frustration and insists for Israel to “respect the roadmap to peace” and return to the initial boundaries before the 1967 war. Netanyahu is challenged with Obama’s claim that Jerusalem must be the capital of Palestine, and continues with his claim that Iran is currently a much more dangerous threat.

George Mitchell is due back in the region this coming week so as to re-engage in what seems to be a developing knot in the Middle East process plans, and to re-establish the “absolutely crucial” situation as Obama has described it.