CAIRO - The Egyptian revolution is still in its transitional period and, accordingly, its anticipated fruits have not been reaped. However, some people are apprehensive about the revolution's possible abortion at the hands of the former regime's loyalists remaining in power or by those who seem to lurk in the dark. They may be right in their suspicions and fears because of the many corruption cases that already have been opened expected to bring many former officials to justice. Apparently, those suspects would spare no effort to abort the revolution so as to escape punishment and confiscation of the wealth they have accumulated over the years. Still, there is another group of people, including myself, who still believe in the success of the revolution. We trust in the ability of the people and the sincere military to go beyond this difficult stage and create a real democracy in Egypt that would herald a new phase in the national history. One can still have doubts about the possibility of achieving our dream of having a democratic developed state in the near future. This distrust is not attributable to national inability, lack of resources or the dearth of will power to do so, but to an old question: Will the world powers let the Egyptians create a strong political and economic state of their own? Seeing the words of praise and encouragement and even the generous offers of financial support to Egypt being made from different world countries to nurture democracy, could induce one to believe that the world is eager to help this nation launch its giant development process. However, does history tell us otherwise? In its modern history, Egypt witnessed two projects for development, one during the era of Mohamed Ali Pasha in the first half of the 19th century and the second during the era of President Gamal Abdel Nasser in the second half of the 20th century. On both occasions, the then superpowers worked hard to sabotage the projects, regarding them as major threats to their colonial interests, if Egypt were to turn into a large and influential power in the region. Now the major world powers, mainly the United States and the European Union, show the same concern about seeing this revolutionary spirit erupting in Egypt and fast sweeping through the Arab world. They know that this revolutionary movement in different Arab countries would create a new reality that might nullify all their old policies they have long cooked up for the region and effected. These conspicuously include planting Israel in the heart of the Arab world to weaken and divide the Arabs so as to protect the world powers' interests in such a strategic region. This could explain the long hesitation before making statements and the fluctuating attitudes of officials of America and Europe towards Egypt's revolution in its early stage. Despite its acknowledgement of the absence of democracy from Egypt and most Arab states, the West was happily dealing with these totalitarian regimes that were protecting US, Israeli and European interests in the region. Now, any democratic system that were to be chosen by the Egyptians or other Arab people would consider the national interests and public opinion first before any foreign interests. This is why Israel showed real concern at the ongoing developments in Egypt and, after it had always claimed to be the only democratic country in the region, was seen requesting the Obama administration to protect Mubarak's regime. Both Israel and the US interpreted this Israeli concern over the transition of rule to fears about the fate of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. However, Israel was at heart afraid that the new Government in Egypt would not accept playing the same old role the regime of the expresident played in the so-called peace process. In addition, Israel is apprehensive that Egypt would not have strong economic ties with Israel against the will of the nation, of whom most still consider Israel their biggest enemy. Both Israel and the US are confident that the Egyptian people and their expected democratic government will not scrap the peace treaty or wage a war against Israel. This confidence is based on the simple fact that Egypt has liberated its land from the Israeli occupation and will not pursue war on any neighbouring country. Instead, it would concentrate on building itself to occupy the position it deserves in the world as a great and civilised developed country. While this goal should be a right for any nation, it is not acceptable to these powers that it should be attained by Egypt. On the one hand, enjoying a strong economic and political clout would strengthen Egypt's status in the region to form a new challenging power to Israel similar to that of Turkey. Besides, any progress in Egypt has always reflected on other Arab countries, which, if united, would form a strong economic and political bloc scaring Israel and forcing it to make long-avoided concessions to establish peace with the Palestinians and the Arabs in general. For this reason, in looking forward to the future, I am fearful of the way that the world powers could make our dream evaporate. However, I am still hopeful that the Egyptians, some of whose previous development projects were subverted in the 19th and 20th century, would be more persistent and keen to fulfil them in the 21st century. Dear readers are invited to contribute their comments, views and questions via 111-115 Ramsis St., Cairo or e-mail: (manalgazette@ yahoo.co.uk)
