Victory speech MARKING his electoral victory, President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday addressed key members and supporters of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) in his first public appearance since winning this month's first ever multi-candidate presidential elections. Mubarak acknowledged the work of the NDP, the "dedication and honesty" of the judges who monitored the elections and the determination of Egyptian men and women who went to cast their vote. "Together we have been through a new experience. Together we stand at the doorstep of an unprecedented juncture in our history that is ruled by new thinking and clear vision. And together we will live up to the challenges to attain our aspirations," Mubarak said. He added, "our dreams are not to be put on hold but to be realised through our joint efforts." Mubarak is expected to address parliament on 27 September to officially take the oath of office as he assumes a new six-year term. Awkward showing A 25-MINUTE Israeli film has created heated debate among journalists and cinema critics at an Egyptian film festival. Two days after the inauguration of the Ismailia Film Festival (IFF), the Israeli film The Red Toy was shown, symbolising the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by relating the story of two children. In the film, a Palestinian child is playing with a red toy in a fruit garden while an Israeli child takes away the toy by force. Ali Abu Shadi, head of the IFF, told reporters that the film was mistakenly shown. When a participation requirement for such a film was sent, the festival administrative board categorically rejected the request but the film was mistakenly screened. The IFF administrative board issued a statement apologising for showing the film, adding that the festival is strongly against any normalisation attempts with Israel, according to the policies of the Ministry of Culture, until a comprehensive and just solution is reached. Abu Shadi added that no one could deny the festival's role in supporting and defending Arab and regional problems. Don't celebrate THE 2005 Human Development Report was launched in Cairo this week amid concern over the failure of developed countries to live up to their pledges to boost the standard of living in the developing world. While Egypt jumped one step forward in the 177-state index -- from 120 in 2004 to 119 -- the overall picture drawn by the annual report in its 15th year is gloomy. Under the title 'International Cooperation at a Crossroads: Aid, trade and security in an unequal world', the report said the rules of globalisation had so far served only the interests of the developed world and all but crushed the basic economic demands of developing countries. Throughout its five chapters the report offers details on the constraints on the pace of human development, the inequity of trade opportunities, the impact on government spending on health and education -- two main components of human development -- and the excessive limits imposed by rich countries on development assistance extended to the least developed countries. The report warned that the world will have serious problems in combating poverty, illness and illiteracy as was required by the Millennium Declaration. "There is little cause for celebration" despite some positive developments here and there, the report noted.
