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Jerusalem Post
6/24/04

Mubarak reassures Egyptians he will return soon

HERB KEINON and AP Jun. 24, 2004

President Hosni Mubarak, in Germany for treatment for a slipped disc, gave an interview to Egyptian television from his hospital room to reassure Egyptians that he will return home soon.

It is very rare for state media to report on the health of the 76-year-old president. The appearance seemed designed to counter rumors that Mubarak is seriously ill.

The three-minute interview first aired Wednesday night, was replayed several times Thursday, and was front page news in all national papers.

"I thank the concerned brotherly citizens and I tell them that I am currently undergoing daily treatment, and I am doing the required [physiotherapy]," said Mubarak, dressed in pajamas and a dark, striped robe.

"I am running the affairs [of the state] from here to an extent," he said. "The government is working and if they need anything I talk with them. There is no problem from this point at all."

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon phoned Mubarak on Thursday to wish him good health and a speedy recovery from his operation.

According to a statement issued by Sharon's office, the prime minister also thanked Mubarak for Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman's "successful visit to Israel."

Mubarak left for Germany on Sunday and appointed Prime Minister Atef Obeid as acting president during his absence. Mubarak's wife, Suzanne, and sons Gamal and Alaa, accompanied him to Germany.

Mubarak, sitting in a chair and slightly bending forward at times, said doctors will decide to operate if the physiotherapy doesn't yield results.

"It's as if I am on vacation for a week... One has to rest for a while," the president said. "Anyway, I thank the people, and God willing, as soon as the treatment whether physiotherapy or other is finished, I will return and will continue our journey in Cairo." He did not give an estimate of how long he would be gone.

The pro-government Al-Akhbar newspaper reported that more than 87,000 state and private mosques will pray for Mubarak's health during Friday's prayers "as a recognition of the services he offered the country and its people all his life."

In November, Mubarak interrupted a speech to parliament for 30 minutes, suffering a cold and a slight drop in blood pressure. The interruption caused a brief political scare as Mubarak – who has ruled Egypt since 1981 – does not have a designated successor.

Recent months have seen speculation Mubarak was grooming his son Gamal, portrayed as pro-reform and technology-savvy, to succeed him. Some Egyptians have dared to protest, saying it is undemocratic to put the leader's son in line for the presidency.

There is definitely more to the Mubarak story than an attempt to delay back surgery.

Reform in the making
A sense of uncertainty dominated the week as President Hosni Mubarak sought medical treatment overseas. Mubarak's sudden trip to Germany on Sunday for possible back surgery and/or physical therapy generated the kinds of concerns last seen in 2003 when the president interrupted his speech before parliament. That he is to be away for an unspecified period of time has compounded the uncertainty.(snipped)

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/696/fr1.htm

Utter confusion!
What is to happen if all talk of change and reform in Egypt turns out to be premature, or at least short of people's expectations? What is to happen were people to discover that the timing and scope of change -- of faces and policy -- is not governed by rational political and economic thinking? Some party officials and public figures believe they are entitled to have their say in the matter of reform. Most likely, they will be disappointed. (snipped)

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/696/op4.htm