Ayoon wa Azan (Getting Ready to Return to Egypt)

The Egyptian economy is a failure. There are no institutions. There is also no correct experience or practice. The economic committee formed by the Muslim Brotherhood is headed by one weak, obscure man who suddenly wants to obtain a five billion dollar loan from the International Monetary Fund. Our children will die trying to return the loan and its interests. The cabinet of Kamal Ganzouri had asked for a 2.8 billion dollars loan, but the MB stood to protest and contest that demand and now, the people announced their refusal of the loan. The above statement was made by Ahmed Shafik in the context of answering a question of mine on his opinion regarding the current situation of the Egyptian economy. I also asked him what he would do had he been elected president. He said that there is a need for major projects in order to revive the economy. He suggested a free zone that would start at the beginning of Port Said, extending 50 kilometers towards the east and 20 kilometers towards the west. He added that as soon as a 70 kilometer long free zone is declared, investors from around the world will flock to establish their factories and businesses. He also suggested to commercially invest the Nasser Lake fish via specialized companies. He added that the land surrounding the lake is neglected even though it is suitable for building a high end community; this land can also possibly be a food basket for Egypt in the future. Marshall Ahmed Shafik also suggested that special care be shown to the Bedouins of Sinai and western Egypt, because they are marginalized and do not feel like they are Egyptians. I met with the Egyptian presidential candidate in Abu Dhabi in the presence of his three daughters. When I found that he was ready to talk, I laid my papers on a book placed on a low table in front of me. The book was “The Dorri Planet, the Stones, and the Houses of the Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him.” The book gave these lines additional trust. Marshall Shafik categorically denied all the charges against him. He said that he filed lawsuits in the Egyptian courts against those who accused him wrongfully and said he was sorry that, after fifty years of work, he will be spending all his savings in courthouses. I told Shafik that, in the two days preceding the announcement of Dr. Mohammad Morsi’s access to power, I had heard that he was the one who actually won. The Marshall neither confirmed nor denied that and he only said: "I decided to accept the result and congratulate the new president, although I thought that the elections’ committee is responsible for the falsification of the results. I thought I will be leading a strong opposition movement, because half the voters had chosen me similarly to the American style ,where two major parties are in place: one in power and the other in the opposition. However, my plan failed, because of a massive attack against me since day one with unfounded charges. I found out that the president and the regime will not be cooperating with me, which led me to leave Egypt and work from abroad. I currently filed a lawsuit against the electoral committee and I might take this to the international judiciary system, since this case is about gunning down Human Rights and the will of the voters. I hope that the Egyptian judiciary will look into this case. Otherwise, I will be taking it to an international level. Marshall Ahmed Shafik also criticized the president’s monopolization of all the constitutional jurisdictions, since he has a full executive and legislative capacity. He said: the establishment of the constitution drafting committee had some illegal bases since all the national elements should have been represented without any exception. Instead, the committee was rather formed on the basis of a majority of MBs in the ousted People’s Council. Any constitution drafted by this committee would be imbalanced and unrepresentative of the people’s will. I represent half or more than half the voters and I refuse all the decisions of this committee. He further added that his allies and him agreed on coming up with a parallel constitution. If the Brotherhood were to insist on implementing their constitution, he would demand that both constitutions be run by the citizens in a referendum in order to decide on which constitution the people want. I saw Marshall Ahmed Shafik angry with the situation in Egypt. He was sad and ready to respond to his adversaries and to accuse them of the same charges. He also told me that he is bracing to return to Egypt in order to confront them in the court and between the people. --- The views expressed by the author do not necessarily represent or reflect the editorial policy of Arabstoday.