Egyptian Newspaper Editor Abd Al-Halim Qandil: Mubarak Plans to Get His Son, Gamal, Appointed President

Following are excerpts from a speech by Egyptian newspaper editor 'Abd al-Halim Qandil, which aired on Al-Jazeera TV on September 22, 2005.

'Abd al-Halim Qandil: Husni Mubarak, with 25,000 prisoners, can compete with the worst regimes. No regime in the region or anywhere in the world has such a large number of prisoners. Only two other regimes compete with him in this – the American occupation regime in Iraq and the Zionist-Israeli occupation regime in Palestine.

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Husni Mubarak is the number one collaborator with the American-Israeli policy in the region. Husni Mubarak has extended his term as president... Husni Mubarak reached his fifth term as president under the sponsorship of Sharon. Sharon is the official sponsor of Mubarak's present term. That is why Husni Mubarak refers to Sharon as a man of peace and as a rescuer, because it was Sharon who had rescued him.

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Husni Mubarak started his election campaign months ago by bartering what was left of Egypt's sovereignty and resources in exchange for remaining in power – he and his son after him. In order to remain president, Husni Mubarak paid in Egyptian sovereignty, by releasing the spy 'Azzam 'Azzam, by signing the QIZ agreement, by sending the Egyptian ambassador back to Israel, by sending the Egyptian ambassador to his death in occupied Baghdad, and by agreeing to export gas to Israel – having signed a similar petrol (deal) – at today's prices for the next 15 years.

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There is no way Egypt can tolerate six more years under the rule of the (mythological) Roc bird called Husni Mubarak, because we know as well you know, that a great political crime is being contrived, behind all this false talk about democracy, about competitive presidential elections, reformists versus conservatives, the new guard versus the old guard - hinting that (he) will get rid of Kamal Shadhli, Safwat al-Sharif, and Fathi Surour - All this is a cover for a political crime - President Mubarak's attempt to appoint his son as president.

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By now, every Egyptian knows that the important decisions concerning economy, politics, and personnel changes, are being made by a man who does not have any constitutional status – Gamal Mubarak. We want to say to them in a very straightforward manner... They are playing a kind of game now, thinking that they can sell us more freedom of movement and freedom of speech and in exchange appointing Gamal Mubarak. We are saying to that we will not allow this crime and that Gamal Mubarak will not be appointed President of Egypt. I, like all Egyptians, feel that prison, and maybe even death, is better than living in or tolerating a kingdom of disgrace, ruled by the Mubarak family.