CAIRO – During the week of July 23, Egypt witnessed several curious events. While national forces were preparing to mark the 59th anniversary of the July 23 revolution, others were warming up for a different task. Their motives should be debated and carefully analysed. It is puzzling and hard to explain why some political groups decided to attack the Army (represented by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces) on July 23 and attempt to lay siege to the Ministry of Defence. The same building was already besieged 59 years ago by the Army officers, who sparked the July revolution. According to archived documents, Army generals convening in the military headquarters at that time were arrested by young officers. So, why did present-day demonstrators attempt to reconstruct the 59 years old scenario by laying siege to the very same building? Their reason for the curious move was not very convincing; they wanted to knock on the Defence Ministry's door and submit their ‘revolutionary demands' to the Army generals. How ridiculous and hard to believe! These revolutionary demands have been widely broadcast in Tahrir Square, in the local press and on television channels. The members of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) are fully aware of the nation's post-Revolution aspirations and prospects. Some Army generals visited Al Tahrir Square and had extensive talks with demonstrators to have firsthand experience and knowledge of these aspirations and ambitions. Therefore, last weeks' cynical demonstration in front of the Ministry of Defence must have intended to spoil the Army's annual July 23 celebrations and overshadow its role in protecting the January 25 revolution. It is also not unlikely that the demonstration was intended to blemish the Egyptian Army's glorious history and besmirch the image of late president Gamal Abdel-Nasser. Posters featuring Nasser are traditionally unfurled across the Arab world during national celebrations. Nasser posters and placards inscribed with his socialist principles have been main features in Al Tahrir Square. Let's confess that the Army would fail to maintain endless self-restraint, if last week's demonstrators had attempted to escalate the situation by stoning the Ministry of Defence or storming the building. Such worrying and provocative options must have been carefully weighed by those, who mobilised the protesters. They could have ignited a violent confrontation between Army and citizens. It was fortunate that this anti-Army conspiracy collapsed so spectacularly, when residents of Abbassiya, in northern Cairo, rushed to chase the demonstrators away and resist the treacherous attack on the nation's history. Allegations that the demonstrators were attacked by thugs and villains are being examined by legal authorities, which will also shed light on ulterior goals and motives. The investigation will hopefully reveal the identities of perpetrators behind arson attacks on private properties and stores in Abbassiya. In the meantime, we have the right to know more about the reason why an Army general accused the April 6th Movement of having received training and money overseas, particularly after some of the movement's pioneers confessed to these accusations. Next week I am going to look into these shocking charges in detail. [email protected]
