8 - 14 February 2001
Issue No.520
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Al-Ahram Weekly
On-line 8 - 14 February 2001 Issue No.520 | ||
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'Frankly speaking'
Bringing the curtain down on rumours that have titillated the domestic political palate for years, Hosni Mubarak's youngest son Gamal confirmed on Sunday that he would not seek public office as long as his father is president. At a seminar at the Cairo International Book Fair, the younger Mubarak said: "Neither the president nor I would agree that I seek, accept or be offered any executive post while my father is the chief executive."
Gamal Mubarak
photo: Doaa Abu Se'da
Quizzed with unprecedented public frankness on his political ambitions, Mubarak responded with openness: "I do not seek an executive post, I don't want it. I believe that my [current] public work allows me more space to manoeuvre and the ability to give more than any executive post would. This is my belief and the president agrees with me."
Refuting rumours that he was being groomed for any public office, let alone the country's top job, he said: "Frankly speaking, my becoming president is not on the table, it never occurred to me, and is not an issue on my father's mind. All such talk is baseless." He added that people should not let their "imaginations run wild", pointing out that the selection of those who hold executive office in Egypt is regulated by institutions and law.
Hundreds flocked to catch a glimpse of, and listen to, the 37-year-old businessman whose star is rising in national politics and economics, while thousands tuned into the satellite channel which broadcast the discussion live. The younger Mubarak, appointed a member of the ruling National Democratic Party's general-secretariat in January 2000, has been a prominent member of several Non-Governmental Organisations focused on tackling problems faced by the young such as housing and professional skills training. In addressing the seminar, Youth Issues and the Modernising of Egypt, he highlighted the need to involve the young in the economic, social and political changes taking place in order to combat feelings of alienation.
"We need to explain to the youth what is going on around them, how they can benefit from these changes and be part of them. The best insurance for stability and continued development is an inclusive discourse involving as many people as possible. This is the future of our country," he argued.
The scheduled two-hour session finally ran into four hours as the audience pushed for information on the rarely mentioned topic of Mubarak's political future.
While expressing understanding of the reasons behind rumours about his "being groomed", Mubarak insisted that they would not distract him from current goals. "I cannot deny or hide the fact that my father is the president and therefore I have only two choices. Either to withdraw from public life and abandon my ideas, or pursue my work and when I am faced with these questions, speak honestly and clearly, explaining my viewpoint and position. I have chosen the second option."
He urged the public not to "read too much" into his rise to the limelight "and burden me with this extra weight. Let's be practical."
Mubarak spoke about the challenges he faced in public life in establishing his own identity and the importance of "making a clear distinction" to any audience about the capacity in which he was speaking.
"Yes, I am proud of my father, and was, even before he became an executive figure. He has served his country well. But I strive to make others [judge] me on my own credentials, not as the son of Hosni Mubarak, whether he is the president or not. This is a challenge I face all the time and take into consideration in my public work," he said.
While praise and recognition for hard work is necessary, too much of a good thing seems to have taken its toll on the younger Mubarak. "I don't believe that all the youth love and idolise me, that's an exaggeration -- it's impossible, illogical. Let's be realistic. I am only human, and people's opinions about me are bound to differ," he asserted. "I am not the only role model, I am one of many. I do not like hypocrisy and don't know how to practice it," he told his audience.
To his detractors, he stressed that while he understands why they are critical of his public role, they "will not dispirit my will and determination" to serve Egypt. "One deals with situations sensitively because one does not act in a vacuum. But [criticism] will not stop me from doing what I believe in." And while one should follow his beliefs to the end and try to achieve as much of one's ideals as possible, this must be done "in cooperation with others because no one can work on their own."
"If I believe in something, I will give it all I have. If I don't succeed, that's life and others could well succeed where I failed. Anyone who works in public life, must embrace this principle," he noted.
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