Security cooperation between Egypt and the United Kingdom is growing, writes Gamal Essam El-Din "Egypt and England have suffered from several terrorist attacks in recent years and this is more than enough reason for the two countries to step up cooperation in fighting terrorism," said Kim Howells, UK minister of state at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office whose brief includes the Middle East and helping to develop the British government's counter-terrorism strategy. Visiting Egypt last week Howells told an invited audience of journalists that, "the terrorist organisation of Al-Qaeda... has become excellent in harnessing the Internet and satellite television channels and producing bombs." Al-Qaeda and its followers, he argued, had moved to cyberspace where jihadists have set up virtual schools for ideological and military training. "Cities like Sharm El-Sheikh, Taba and Dahab in Egypt and London in England have suffered greatly from terrorist attacks and now it is time to share a new strategy in standing up to them." Howells underlined the importance of the recent visit to London by Egypt's Minister of State for Parliamentary and Legal Affairs Moufid Shehab. "We were very happy to receive Minister Shehab and his security and judiciary delegation," said Howells. "Egypt lives in a very volatile region and its security is a big concern." Howells revealed that Shehab's visit had concluded with an agreement between Egypt and the UK to exchange intelligence on terrorism and other issues relating to domestic security, and that they had discussed Britain's experience formulating its anti-terrorist laws. Egypt is in the process of replacing its 25-year-old emergency law with an anti-terror act. A committee led by Shehab was formed a year ago and is expected to present a draft anti-terror law for discussion in the forthcoming session of the People's Assembly. Yet, despite repeated assurances from Shehab that any new legislation would not infringe on personal freedoms or human rights, civil society organisations are sceptical. Hossam Bahgat, director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, views Shehab's visit to London as a warning sign. "Britain's anti-terror act gives the police draconian powers... they can hold terrorist suspects for long periods for questioning before being charged with an offence." While in the UK the exercise of such prerogatives is subject to judicial oversight, in Egypt, says Bahgat, "we know how the police manipulate the law without judicial or parliamentary scrutiny." The British anti-terror act allows the police to detain suspected terrorists for up to 28 days without a charge. "Tony Blair was defeated twice in the House of Commons when he attempted to extend this period to 90 days," said Howells. "The British anti-terror act," he continued, "is not as tough as many believe and some European countries have much tougher laws against terrorism." During his visit Howells signed an agreement between the UK Foreign Office and the British Council in Cairo on one side, and the University of Al-Azhar on the other, reflecting the new British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's interest in opening up dialogue with moderate Islamic institutions like Al-Azhar. The agreement will establish an English-language training centre at the university. Howells said press reports that British Muslims repeatedly face discrimination were without substance. "British Muslims do not live in isolation as some suggest and I do not know a European country in which Muslims feel tolerance like England," said Howells, drawing a comparison with France, where the Muslim community rioted last year. Howells also dismissed charges that the recent knighthood of the novelist Salman Roshdi constituted an insult to Islam. "Roshdi is one of the best Muslim writers in the world and we are not ready to be subjected to the extortion of Iran or Osama bin Laden," he said. On Iran Howells insisted, "it is no secret that Iran is trying to acquire nuclear weapons and this is a big worry for Egypt and other Middle East countries," pointing out that Mohamed El-Baradei, the Egyptian director- general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), had made it clear that Iran is not complying with IAEA rules. But what about Israel's nuclear arsenal? The EU is urging Israel to join the nuclear non- proliferation treaty and open the country for IAEA inspections, said Howells. "But the fact remains that a country like Iran should not be left to develop nuclear weapons because another country like Israel has refused to join the treaty or owns nuclear weapons." Howells also met Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit and Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa. With Nazif he discussed economic cooperation between Egypt and Britain, and with Abul-Gheit the need to contain "the statelet of Hamas" in Gaza. He said he had agreed with Abul-Gheit that Egypt and Britain should support the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and urge the Americans to back the former British prime minister, Tony Blair, in his new role as envoy of the Quartet. Howells's regional tour also included Oman and Libya.
