CAIRO: Saad Eddin Ibrahim, democracy advocate and political sociology professor, called upon the European Union (EU) to support the spread of democracy in Egypt and in the Arab region at the International Parliamentary Conference in Geneva last Thursday. Addressing EU representatives, Ibrahim assessed the political situation in the region, focusing on Egypt's numerous setbacks and minimal efforts in applying democracy. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of the role of the EU in the democratization of the Arab world. "Development is equally essential to both Europe and the Arab region; it is through poverty and unemployment that Arab youth are driven to join extremist groups or seek illegal immigration to European countries. Therefore, it is of mutual interest for the European powers to support development in the region, Ibrahim told Daily News Egypt in a phone interview from Dubai, where he was attending a forum about the future of the region during which he relayed the demands he had made at the EU meeting. European representatives expressed their concern about Egypt's future when President Hosni Mubarak's term ends in 201, he said. Ibrahim explained three possible scenarios for succession after Mubarak: the army would take over the government, inheritance of powe to Mubarak s son Gamal, or the formation of a provisional government comprised of members of all parties. According to Ibrahim, the third scenario is most likely to happen, with an international body designed to monitor the transitional government. This will make room for political activists like Ayman Nour, the imprisoned leader of Al Ghad Party, to take a leading role in establishing a new political system, he added. Ibrahim urged the European community to "demand the release of Nour, call upon an end to the emergency law, promote the protection of human rights and stand up against initiatives such as the 'Principles for Organizing Satellite Broadcast and Television Transmission and Reception in the Arab Region' [the Arab Charter]. Ibrahim assured parliament members that any European intervention that will directly benefit the Egyptian people rather than the ruling party will always be welcomed and appreciated by the general public. In a similar meeting with the American congress and the Italian parliament, Ibrahim acknowledged the efforts made by the European nations in assisting the developing world. When asked whether the current economic crisis will have an effect on the initiatives taken by the US and European powers in the region, Ibrahim said concerns over the global crisis will soon be laid to rest while issues such as the development and democratization of the Arab World are far more prolonged. Addressing the European parliament earlier this year, Ibrahim had criticized the current political system and Mubarak's political agenda which raised fury and led him to flee the country. He was later charged for spying, betrayal and defaming Egypt. He was sentenced to two years in prison or paying LE 10,000 bail. The court said he was found guilty of trying to convince the American administration to tie economic aid with the progress of political reform, in addition to publishing articles in the international press that tarnished Egypt's image. Ibrahim, a human rights activist, is known for openly criticizing Mubarak's policies in Egypt. "There is no personal rivalry between me and the president. I hope that he will protect human rights and democracy here in Egypt, he said. "I am for a presidential pardon for me and for Ayman Nour, he added, "because this is a right the constitution grants the president and he should make good use of it. Ibrahim is anticipating his return to Cairo, but assures that residing abroad is not going to get in the way of his political activism.
