IN A BRIEF statement he made on Monday on the occasion of honouring university graduates, President Hosni Mubarak provided plenty of statements that targeted local and foreign audiences. The presidential statements seemed to be particularly tailored to addressing the wide public concerns over economic reforms in view of the recent demonstrations of thousands of workers protesting against economic hardships. "A healthy and strong economy is a pre-requisite for the strength of all nations and it is only fair that the ongoing economic reforms should be positively reflected on the lives of Egyptian men and women," Mubarak said. He added that he had much sympathy for the economic difficulties being sustained by low-income citizens and promised to instruct the government to take effective measures to contain such implications as much as possible. Mubarak promised commitment to the cause of social justice and equitable distribution of investment among all governorates. Mubarak also gave a strong vote of confidence to the members of the economic cabinet. The president made several references to the improved economic indicators secured by the country's economic planners, especially in relation to the increased volume of foreign investments and the healthy indicators of economic growth. Asked if these statements were to be taken as an indication that members of the economic cabinet should not be expected to be included in any possible cabinet reshuffle, a senior government source answered, "the presidential statement was a positive nod." Mubarak, on the other hand, steered clear of the most controversial home-front debates: freedom of the press and judiciary prerogatives. However, he indicated that in view of the many challenges facing the country in relation to future economic and political reforms, the nation needs efforts that aim at bringing its political forces together rather than creating uncalled for divisions. On the foreign front, Mubarak chose to offer an indirect response to critics who have been suggesting a retreat in Egypt's political weight. "Egypt is a regional power. This is a status that we are pursued after, although we have never pursued it ourselves." Mubarak also reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to harness its foreign policy tools to serve the objectives of regional stability on all fronts. The president, however, did not dwell on too many details regarding the upcoming Arab-Israeli peace conference or the crises in Lebanon and Iraq.
