EGYPT favours a peaceful and calm dialogue for solving a water sharing dispute with members of the Nile Basin countries, according to Shura Council Chairman Safwat el-Sherif said. “Cairo is keen on preserving co-operation and partnership links with all the Basin members states to make use of the Nile water in such a way that serves their interests,” el-Sherif said during a meeting with a group of 200 young persons at the Council on Tuesday. He was referring to a split by the riparian nations over a controversial water-sharing pact that is strongly opposed by Egypt and Sudan. The new pact, signed by six countries, aims to replace a 1959 deal between Egypt and Sudan giving them more than 90 per cent control of the water flow. For three consecutive hours, el-Sherif discussed with members of Egypt's Vanguards a host of domestic and parliamentary issues ranging from the Nile water dispute to political rights and media revolution in the country. El-Sherif, who is also the secretarygeneral of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), said that the parties had a prominent role to play in enriching the political life in Egypt through encouraging the youth to participate in the decision-making policies. "The success of these parties is measured by the extent of encouraging the nation's youth in taking part in political life," el-Sherif said, adding that the parties represent a channel through which young people can express their opposing views or solutions for social problems. He said that many new publications and satellite channels had appeared in Egypt as a natural by product of the communications and information revolutions that swept the world during the past few years. "Their appearance also substantiates that Egypt is committed to the principle of freedom of expression and free thought," el-Sherif said during the meeting, which was attended by Saffei Eddin Kharboush, the chairman of the National Youth Council. However, he said that the satellite TV channels should not damage social harmony, national unity, public order or traditional values." “The channels should also conform with the religious and ethical values of Arab society and take account of its family structure,” he added. El-Sherif affirmed that the Government would not tolerate illicitly gained wealth, or graft at any level from any public officials or person regardless of his status in the country. He told the youth that Government would tackle graft problems, which are not acceptable by any means.
