A number of political forces and intellectuals have prepared a lengthy memorandum that includes a drastically reformed plan for the remainder of Egypt's transitional period. Al-Masry Al-Youm has obtained a copy of the document, which the drafters said they will submit to the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) within days. The memorandum suggests postponing parliamentary elections, and in their place forming a "national rescue cabinet," having Egyptians elect a constituent assembly to draft the new constitution, holding presidential elections and fully transferring power to a civilian government. After all this, the memorandum reads, parliamentary elections should be held in accordance with the laws set out in the new constitution. Among those involved in drafting the memorandum were former President of the Democratic Front Party Osama al-Ghazaly Harb, presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei, Coordinator of the National Association for Change Abdel Galil Mostafa, writer Alaa al-Aswany and journalist Sakina Fouad. The memorandum also criticizes the Interior Ministry's performance during the transitional period, saying, "Eight months were long enough for the interior minister and his staff, who should have worked diligently to quickly rebuild the police and make them capable of handling the current security challenges." Serious measures should be taken to improve Egypt's economic conditions and address the huge gap between Egypt's rich and poor, the memorandum says. The document considers holding elections now a dangerous venture, in the absence of security and amid sectarian tensions and economic hardships. Translated from the Arabic Edition
