Securing Egyptian interests in a complex and increasingly combative regional context is what the ruling party says it can do, Dina Ezzat reports "Egypt, with its influence and status, needs to accord adequate attention to the deteriorating regional situation and to the new elements [that have been contributing additional challenges]. A process of reassessment is highly required." Meanwhile, any new foreign policy designs that are tailored to address the current situation or its repercussions should be based on a fair mix of legitimate political ambition and prescribed realism. This is perhaps the most crucial line in an otherwise generally predictable document of over 30 pages that was produced, on foreign policy priorities, by the National Democratic Party (NDP) for debate by its ninth congress, and likely beyond. National security, in terms of old and new priorities and challenges, was one of four main issues the NDP congress addressed extensively during its three- day meetings inaugurated Saturday with a speech by the re-elected chair of the party President Hosni Mubarak and concluded Tuesday by another presidential statement. In both statements, Mubarak, in his capacities as party leader and head of state, made sure to underline the importance of advancing present formulations of national security. "Egypt's national security [strategy and apparatuses are] the country's shield that preserves [Egypt's] sovereignty in a turmoil-led region and secures our independence against all sorts of pressures and conditionality," Mubarak said. Mubarak's definition of national security and that of the NDP position paper revolves around the "prime need to maintain the internal political stability of the country". It does not, sources maintain, defy traditional theories of Egyptian national security interests (Arab, African, Islamic and Third World) coined since the early days of the Egyptian republic, or before. However, it re-envisages the emphasis that Egypt is now according to these differing circles in view of new regional developments and challenges. And it adds a previously excluded element: nuclear security, in terms of the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, especially in electricity generation. According to NDP-proposed foreign policy directives, "in the short run, Egypt's strategy should be containment-oriented with an eye on reducing the negative impact of current regional disturbances on Egypt's vital interests." The same policy document argues, "in the medium and longer terms, Egypt's national strategy will have to design an approach that would help bypass and/or overcome the causes of disturbance." As such, the NDP is foreseeing a more engaged Egyptian foreign policy style in the management and resolution of major regional conflicts. In particular, the policy paper projects a role for Egypt in dissuading against further military options in the handling regional crises. Indirect references are made criticising the "US invasion of Iraq" which is qualified as an added burden to a Middle East already exhausted by perpetual armed conflicts, either among or within its countries. Another indirect reference is critical of potential military strikes that Washington might entertain with regard to quelling Tehran's nuclear technology ambitions. On Monday evening, in a question and answer session that leading figures of the NDP dedicated to addressing the queries of foreign diplomats, politicians and think-tank analysts, Gamal Mubarak, NDP assistant secretary- general and chairman of its Policies Committee, suggested possible higher engagement on the part of Egypt in two major proximate regional crises: the Palestinian-Israeli struggle and internal conflict in Sudan. This commitment, Gamal Mubarak stressed, does not overlook the fact that Egypt is not the only player seeking a settlement to either or both conflicts. New NDP foreign policy directives also assert the need for a more proactive Egyptian role, in coordination with Arab partners, to address the current state of disintegration in Iraq. Further, Iran is recognised for its growing and interwoven presence in regional politics. Israel, meanwhile, is recognised for its growing intransigence that is hampering a negotiated end to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the overdue establishment of a Palestinian state. Consequently, Egypt should move towards pursuing a less reserved but still carefully calculated approach towards Iran, and a still tolerant but more demanding approach towards Israel. While Iran and Israel are not exactly put in the same basket by the NDP foreign policy paper, throughout its 32 pages there are sufficient references to indicate that its authors perceive both countries as contributors to growing regional instability that in turn could impact on Egypt's national security interests. Iran, through its nuclear standoff with the West, and Israel, through its wars and ongoing occupations of Arab lands, are qualified by the NDP as meriting careful treatment on the part of Egypt. "The Egyptian-Iranian relationship is not necessarily 'conflict-' or even tension-based," provided that Iran refrains from pursuing "policies that might undermine Egypt's national interests", the NDP paper suggests. For better rapport with Egypt, the NDP notes certain requirements of Tehran. These should include an end to any existing interference in Arab affairs, the elimination of all Sunni versus Shia and Islamist versus non-Islamist discourse and the presentation of satisfactory guarantees that Iran's nuclear programme will strictly serve peaceful purposes. As for Israel, the NDP is demanding an end to its settlement policy that is eating up Palestinian territories, eliminating the chances of Palestinians establishing an independent and viable state. Above all, the policy document demands in clear terms an end to Israel's policy of nuclear ambiguity. The position paper accuses Israel of contributing to chronic regional instability, either through its continued occupation of Arab territories or its un-inspected and un-safeguarded nuclear facilities. The paper demands that Israel join the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty. "It is only through the efforts of a regional power such as Egypt that this part of the world can exit its current dilemma," the NDP paper suggests.
