US-based Egyptians have established a pro-Gamal Mubarak association for the 2011 presidential elections, calling it the “National Association for Stability and Development.” The association, based in Brooklyn, New York, has so far around 80 members. Its first official meeting is scheduled for September. Ten Egyptians have been elected to the board of directors, but their names have not yet been unannounced. Hamed Abdel Azeem Bayoumi, association founder, told Al-Masry Al-Youm he is not a member of the National Democratic Party (NDP), nor has he met with Gamal Mubarak. He added that he also doesn't personally know Ahmed Ezz, NDP secretary of organization, Safwat el-Sherif, NDP secretary general, or Ali Eddin Helal, the party's secretary of information. Bayoumi said watching Gamal on television had assured him that the son of President Hosni Mubarak is smart, educated, and clearly politically active. "The main reason for establishing this association was to ensure there are other points of view,” Bayoumi said. “The NAC [National Association for Change, founded by ElBaradei] members don't have a clear agenda or vision for the future. I respect ElBaradei, although he spent 28 years abroad. He'd be better as a director of some scientific research academy.” Bayoumi said he hopes the Egyptian Constitution may be amended to limit the president's stay in office to just two terms, and for the president to be no older than 70 years. He also said the transition of power from President Hosni Mubarak to his son would guarantee stability, and consequently development. Regarding Article 76 of the Constitution, Bayoumi said the provision is not tailored to promote certain people, since anyone who joins a legal party may nominate himself for presidency. Concerning complaints of torture in Egypt, he asked, “Do you press on Congress to take a stance against Egypt? Can't you press the Egyptian parliament?” Bayoumi said the new pro-Gamal association is against dramatic change, and he rejected statements by the Wafd Party which allege that Gamal would freeze the Camp David accords if he becomes president. “Doesn't he know what that means? Are we able to wage another war, with this many poor people?” Translated from the Arabic Edition.
