July  22, 2002

Mubarak addresses celebration marking 50th anniversary of 1952 Revolution

Fellow Citizens,
Brothers, sons ... officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces. The graduation of this new batch of the Military Academy cadets coincides with elapse of 50 years since the outbreak of the glorious July Revolution at the hands of Egypt's loyal sons, the officers of the Armed Forces whose blazing patriotic feelings and sublime affiliation to the people inspired them to launch their blessed revolution.

    It was an all-out revolution against the country's domestic situation that had become irreparable due to the rein of the foreign occupation and the absence of political and social maturity and awareness of the ruling elite besides the disregard by the executive and legislative authorities of the people's aspirations and hopes in a way that the homeland came to lose its dignity and will and came under the threat of class conflict and sectarian sedition.

    The new generations that didn't witness the Egyptian circumstances that prevailed before the 1952 July Revolution, may not know that the great majority of the Egyptians were leading a hand-to-mouth life because 80 per cent of the villagers were have-not workers. Moreover, the State was at the service of only a limited category of interest-hlders.

    The political life was a farce and puppet controlled by the Palace and the foreign occupation. As for the parliamentary life, it was a fake formal frame lacking a real essence. There were no sustained efforts to score a serious socio-economic development to meet the demands of the growing people's categories whocould not accomodate the means of daily subsistence.

    Amidst all these deteriorating situations, it was inevitable that the old regime would reach a deadlock, crack up and start the way of fall and collapse.

    There is no doubt that the July Revolution was a culmination of a protracted struggle of the Egyptian people in order to defend their right for an independent, lofty and dignified nation , free of usurping occupation that paralyzed their national will. Therefore, it is not a surprising that the revolution,ever since its very early hours, achieved that magnificent cohesion between the masses of the people and the Armed Forces vanguard. As a result, the Revolution radically changed all walks of Egyptian life and launched its battles at home and abroad to realize their national independence, pride and dignity as well as to restore the lost rights of the overwhelming majority.

    In fact, eliminating foreign hegemony, achieving independence and agriculture reform, the nationalization of Suez Canal company and the industrilization of Egypt were great objectives for the Egyptian struggle all over its modern history. The July Revolution came then to formulate out of these objectives, a national working programme to which it was committed and for the sake of which it fought successive battles at home and abroad.

    Hence, those who judge the July Revolution in view of today's criteria fall into a grave mistake because they forget that the Revolution faced difficult internal circumstances and stood out firm against regional and international challenges and variables such as cold war, alliances policies and super powers struggles.

    But in spite of such thorny circumstances and increasing challenges, the July Revolution has maintained its genuine national spirit.

    It has offered many great achievements to its people. It has effected deep changes in the Egyptian history, marking the end of an era, paving the way for a new one, and endorsing our country pursuit for progress and construction.

    Naturally, being an outcome of human action, the Revolution has committed some mistakes while fighting at home and abroad. These mistakes, however, should never make us lose sight of the outstanding achievments that will always kindle Egypt's modern history whatever the malicious and the susceptible may claim.

    It was quite natural that the impact of the July Revolution; after its great victory against the tripartite aggression, would transcend to the rest of the Arab world and the entire Third World which was then struggling bravely against the forces of colonialism and racism. It goes without saying that the world map has changed after the July Revolution. Banners of freedom and independence soared high over most of Arab and African states. The world witnessed the regression of old colonialism and the birth of major blocs among the Third World countries, allowing them full control over their natural resources and the opportunity to develop and mobilize their human resources in accordance with the new increasing challenges .

    It gives me great pleasure to welcome today with you the Libyan Leader Muammar al-Gaddhafi, the commander of the glorious Al-Fateh Revolution in September 1969 which was inspired by the 23rd of the July Revolution. They were closely linked by the same vision as regards the Arab endeavours to get rid of imperialism, to hail Arab nationalism and to support the joint Arab action.

    Brothers and Sisters,
We shall always underline the Capability of the Egyptian Revolution to rectify its course all over the various stages, never restricting itself into rigid dogmatic frames but insisting on placing the interests of the nation and the people above all considerations.

    With such piercing vision and deep awareness of history's movement, the Revolution was capable of clinging to the established invariables as represented in: its keenness on social justice, its bias to the interests of the overwhelming majority of our people, its commitment to the comprehensive development in order to realize a real progress from which the national community can benefit; as well as maintaining the independence of the national resolution besides being intent on providing Egypt with a powerful army that protects its security and interests and maintains its national role; thus, Egypt will remain a strong support for the Arab nation and the Third World peoples in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

    Greetings to the heroes who set off to lead the Revolution and risked their souls in a glorious night of Egypt's history so as to create a new dawn for their country.

    Special greeting to the Revolution leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, who sacrificed his life for the sake of the homeland and the people and who until the last moment of his life, remained faithful to his principles, committed to the Revolution's principles and the interests of the masses. He had a great capability to conceive the nature of the movement of history and the laws that control it. He remained carrying the Revolution banners until he sacrificed his soul for the sake of Egypt and the Arab nation.

    Due greetings to the late President Anwar Sadat who participated in rejuvenating the Revolution and rectifying its course; taking benefit from successive experiences, monitoring the phenomena and the variable challenges as well as establishing each stage depending on the achievements of the past. Hence, President Sadat started a political and social reform that has aimed to establish a multi-lateral party system, and free press. He also led the course of economic open-door policy as well as opening the gates for the private sector to participate in the production of commodities and services so as to realize the goals of joint social and economic development.

    It will always be recalled in history that President Sadat was the leader of the glorious October War in spite of the then unfavorable international circumstances. He set to restore for the nation its confidence in itself and pride of its army; as well as paving the way for a just and comprehensive peace and for Egypt to regain its full sovereignty over its territories.

    Brothers and Sisters,
We percieve that our present time is one of the links of the successive history stages, with supreme objectives deep in our hearts and strong determination to keep Egypt fully independent, dignified and capable of rendring its sons happy and preserving the constants of the national experience along with its pan-national commitments. Furthermore, we have to keep alert to the accelerating variables of our age and its new concerns to which Egypt, with its distignuished geographical location and pioneering regional role, can never isolate itself from world changes.

    Thus, we set it incumbent upon ourselves to deepen the democratic march and reinforce the individual as well as the social freedom, in correlation with previous efforts. This emerges out of our full conviction of the Egyptian people's right to enjoy sober democracy, sound party system and a strong internal front that protects its march, preserves its legitimate struggle, guides its continuous movement, both at home and abroad, and reinforces its remarkable role on the local, regional and international arenas.

    Undoubtedly, it has been a necessity to reconstruct our national economy on strong bases that agree with the international orientation towards globalization and correct the concepts of the economic open-door policy so as to turn it into a productive one. Consequently, this will bring about welfare and prosperity to all Egyptians, intensify the competitiveness of our products in world markets and promote the quality of our commodities and services.

    In this respect, tangible achievements have been realized, which in turn led to notable improvement in the performance of the Egyptian economy. We all hope that the coming period will witness more progress in spite of all problems and adverse circumstances that emerged as a result of inconvenient international developments and events.

    After we had regained every inch of our homeland, we grew more capable of pursuing efforts so as to complete the successive links of a just and comprehensive peace, overcome the hurdles impeding its way and enable the brotherly peoples to regain their lands that have been occupied since the fifth of June, 1967 in the Western Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights and South Lebanon. Furthermore, we aim at enabling the brotherly Palestinian people to defend its usurped rights, on top of which its right to self-determination, liberate its occupied territories and establish its independent state.

    We believe that the peace which is aspired by all the peoples of the region is still possibly attainable inspite of the huge obstacles hindering the peace march, provided that reason prevails, greed vanishes and hope drives out frustration and depression amongst the Palestinian people.

    I find it an appropriate chance to re-give Israel a word of advice: not to miss this historic chance; to put an end to conflict and etruggle. Moreover, we should enter into a new phase where peoples of the region, same as any other nation, are engaged in facing the challenges of development and progress, and should rally their sons' efforts to achieve their common interests and not to waste them uselessly.

    I would like to remind the Israeli people that all the demands of neighbouring Arab countries to achieve peace and to establish normal relations are included in the Arab initiative accredited by Beirut Summit. These demands called for commitment to legitimacy and rule of law, respecting the terms of references accepted by the international community as a basis to settle the conflict. It stipulates that Israel should withdraw from the lands occupied on June 5, 1967, abandon illusions of expansionism which are futile and can not stay side by side with peace or peaceful co-existance, in addition to respecting the rights of all peoples in the region, to lead a secure and stable life.

    Israel will gain nothing from masking itself behind calls for changing the leadership fully chosen by the independent will of Palestinian people or insisting on occupying lands, shedding blood, destroying houses and closing roads. This policy resulted in domination of hardline forces over moderate voices and lack of trust of the Arab nation's new generations. Israel will gain nothing of these policies except raising hatred in their souls and escalating tendencies towards hostility and extremism. Israel would better withdraw from the occupied cities and lands, end its incursion and closure of Palestinian territories and all the suppressive and revengeful practices, and would rather hold serious political negotiations aiming at establishing an independent sovereign Palestinian State which will be the best guarantee for peace, security and stability.

    Brothers and Sisters,
The comprehensive progress led by Egypt and the secure society we are living in could not have never existed but for all the preceeding efforts. These efforts made sustainable development a top priority for any national rule moreover, it set interests of the sweeping mojority of the people as a basis of the legitimacy of the rule and its responsiblity.

    Our obligation now is to pursue those efforts persistently and insistently, so as to deepen the democratic track and firm up the people-rule priciple. This is also due to the keeness on distributing fruits of development among all categories of the Egyptian society evenly and justly, and increasing chances of productive work for Egypt's youths that aspire for serving their country and for self-fulfillment. Moreover, these youths are streneously pursuing promotion of their knowledge and enhancing their potentials to cope with the challenges of a new era.

    We have to give a way for the young leaderships to shoulder their responsibility and participate in leading the national work in such crucial stage in the history of the world and the Middle East.

    Dear Graduates,
Today you will start the most honourable task and the noblest mission for defending the dignity of the homeland and its sons and deterring any guilty aggression on Egypt's sacred rights. I have been always confident that you will be the best loyal sons who follow the example of the great leaders who set to you the best example to follow.

    Greetings to the Egyptian Armed Forces. Greetings to the glorious batallions that sacrificially and faithfully made great achievements for Egypt and the Arabs, that were a symbol of our land prestige and loftiness.

    I pray to Allah Almighty to keep for Egypt its dignity and safety, to be always a secure country that builds rather than destroys, protects rather than transgresses, defends rather than threatens. Allah is the best Sustainer and Supporter.

May Allah Keep Peace and
Mercy Ever Upon You.