Conflicts between late president Sadat's nephew and son reach new heights, reports Magda El-Ghitany There is no denying that Talaat El-Sadat, the nephew of late president Anwar El-Sadat, has long been known for his controversial views and his ability to stir family conflict. Last week, conflicts of the kind came to the fore in an unprecedented fashion. For the first time ever, Gamal El-Sadat -- the late president's eldest son -- released a statement that was published in several local newspapers, in which he accused his cousin of "misusing the name of the late president Sadat in talks with the press". The statement also reaffirmed Gamal's "strict rejection of such use of his family's and the late president's name," as well as his determination to protect his "family from such a manipulation" by the late president's nephew. Gamal, who owns a number of private investment and tourism companies went on to urge his cousin "to stop using the name of Talaat El-Sadat" and to instead go by his full name, Talaat Ahmed Esmat. For his part, Talaat was quick to retaliate. In addition to releasing his own statement within hours of the first's publication, he openly accused his cousin of attacking him to "protect [President Hosni Mubarak's son] Gamal Mubarak," for whom he has a "total bias". Talaat's statement emphasised that he considers Sadat's son a very close friend of the "present ruling family". Meanwhile Talaat highlighted his "deep shock over his cousin's attack, which was propelled by his desire to protect his own private interests." He added that Gamal's statement had been intentionally released at a very critical time for his cousin, as it came amidst his "campaign to head the Liberal Party." Talaat justified his belief that a conspiracy was in the works by stating that "if [Gamal's] genuine goal was to make sure that his father's name was not misused in the press by anyone, including family members, why did he not simply express his thoughts to me -- his cousin -- on the phone? Why did he make it a public issue at such a critical time in my political career?" Talaat went on: "If my cousin was really angry about my misuse of his father's -- and my uncle's -- name, where has he been these past years? Why has he never asked me to stop using my family name in my political career before?" Al-Ahram Weekly was not able to interview Gamal, El-Sadat's eldest son, as he declined to reply to his cousin's retaliating statement. He merely stated that "he had no comment" on the statement, especially regarding the issue of his relations with the Mubarak family, who had nothing to do with the issue. Gamal emphasised the fact that his main goal had merely been "to remind [his cousin] and the press of the historical glory of the Sadat name." Talaat El-Sadat is well known for his controversial statements and actions, regarding not only the late president's family but also domestic politics. Just last month, during an ongoing party dispute, he declared himself chairman of the Liberal Party. Last September, he also announced his intention to run against Mubarak in the presidential elections. Although he then claimed to be the Liberal Party nominee, the then party chairman Helmi Salem said Talaat had no legal right to represent the party, either as a member of parliament or as a presidential candidate, since his membership was annulled during the party's general congress over a year ago. He withdrew his nomination. Last week's conflict between the late president's nephew and other family members was not the first of its kind. Following his announcement to run in the presidential elections, the late president's daughter Roqaya El-Sadat was then quoted in the press saying she "would not allow anybody to manipulate her father's name for political or financial gains."
