With the myriad of problems facing the people and government, Jailan Halawi wonders what lies ahead for what was once a nice country to live in Fresh from the Eid Al-Fitr (Lesser Bairam) holiday following the holy fasting month of Ramadan, the nation's publications seemed uncertain as to the future, as increasingly high hurdles contrasted sharply with the government's constant promises of reform and a bright future. From humble incomes unable to cope with skyrocketing prices to contaminated drinking water which has killed, to the country's convoluted foreign policy, the press kept swinging to and fro. And while there are undeniable efforts by the state to provide better services and a more secure future, such measures according to many writers pale in comparison to what has been genuinely attained for the limited-resourced individual. The press took aim at several recent life-threatening problems like contaminated drinking water, pollution, the use of pesticides in crops, along with the deteriorating conditions of public services, be they hospitals, schools or transportation. In one issue of the pro-government daily Al-Ahram, prominent writer Fahmi Howeidi wrote "The impossible in Egypt" criticising the government for pledging to provide a computer for every household before exerting serious efforts to ensure citizens a healthy life which meets the basic needs of edible food and clean water, and the basic services of transport and education. Howeidi cited garbage and pollution in a city once described as the "capital of the world". He spoke of the discrepancy between void statements by officials promising miraculous developments, and real life. With the deterioration in education in Egypt, poor state of public hospitals and the spread of provincial corruption, one, according to Howeidi, can easily reach the conclusion that "governmental bodies have failed in fulfilling their basic task of managing the vital establishments aimed at serving the citizens, something which jeopardises the people's right to life. And, when a people's life is at risk, the nation is equally at risk. Thereby I say that what is taking place in Egypt now resembles a threat to our national security." The government, noted Howeidi, offers many ambitious plans for the future like boosting its nuclear programme. But, as legitimate as this is, he advises the government to first pay attention to basic needs otherwise "it would be like one who seeks a PhD while failing to obtain a preparatory education." A series of downtown sexual harassment incidents for three days running during Eid Al-Fitr was strange and worrisome. Reportedly, a group of young men sexually harassed a number of girls in separate incidents in the most crowded streets of Cairo in broad daylight. Although nothing was published in the national press, the news spread in blogs and satellite channels and the daily independent Al-Masri Al-Youm included two articles in its Tuesday edition. Borrowing the title from economy professor Galal Amin's book "Whatever happened to Egyptians?", Sherine Abul-Naga blamed the security forces "whose heavy presence prevail during demonstrations and elections but in such events their absence is inexcusable." Equally, the writer argued that such incidents were "a clear manifestation of an oppressed society deprived of its right to have a decent life and a lost youth fulfilling suppressed needs." All this, noted Abul-Naga, falls under the responsibility of the government which by failing to fulfill its role pushed such youths to the edge. The saga of selling the retail chain Omar Effendi surfaced once more this time with news of the Ministry of Awqaf, or religious endowment, offering a "sudden" bid to buy the chain for LE300 million instead of the LE200 million offered by the Saudi company Anwal. Ever since news of the sale was announced, the retail chain deal has been problematic and in a way its real worth has been, at least for the press, enigmatic. "Omar Effendi back into the dark tunnel," read a front-page story in the daily pro-government Al-Gomhuriya in its Tuesday edition, adding that Anwal wants to decrease the purchasing price and seize the summer resort houses built for the workers. The article criticised what it described as "squandering of public money manifested in the obvious legal shortcomings of the chain's contract". Like a breath of fresh air in the middle of the rubble came President Hosni Mubarak's consent to amend Article 76 of the constitution dealing with presidential elections. His approval -- although what is to be amended has not been announced -- was met with applause from the press, describing it as a positive sign which reflected his keenness to encourage political parties towards more effective participation. With caution and praise concerning the president's trip to China, many writers urged the government to make optimum use of partnering what they described as "the emerging superpower and economic giant". But Al-Ahram' s prominent writer Salama Ahmed Salama urged a more analytical look at the gains of such a partnership. Despite the numerous previous visits to China and many trade agreements, the benefits so far have been China's, noted Salama. By virtue of such agreements, Egypt, he explained, has become an open market for Chinese products, even including Ramadan lanterns. Egypt, however, failed to enjoy the same benefits. In his Tuesday column, Salama urged all concerned parties and those excited about the China visit to ask themselves why previous agreements "failed to establish special industrial zones in Egypt and whether this visit will achieve the gains its predecessors failed to accomplish". Other writers like Hisham El-Hadidi advised more research and a closer look at the future of China before getting too excited about striking deals and raising hopes. El-Hadidi cited a number of books and research papers wondering how long China would keep its economic edge in light of its current political and social conditions. A medical success story happened in Assiut where a hospital managed to separate conjoined twins in an operation conducted two hours following their delivery.
