Egyptian newspapers today reported on a wide variety of topics, including an interview with former Minister of the Economy Mustafa al-Said during which he explained that the security situation in Egypt is risky and will deteriorate. Al-Ahram published part two of its interview with former Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri, during which he explained his solution for Egyptian economic recovery. Youm7 Youm7 published an interview with former Minister of the Economy and former Head of the Economic Committee in the dissolved Parliament Mustfa al-Said. The former minister said the Egyptian economy is witnessing a serious decline and if the pressing issues are not met, the only option left is to print money. “Lawlessness, categorical protests and divisions amongst the revolutionaries are the reasons for the deterioration of the economy,” al-Said said. “I welcome the application of the treachery law but I'm against the exclusion of uncorrupted former NDP members,” he added. Youm7 also published the reasoning behind the abolition of Misr Shebin el-Kom Spinning & Weaving and the Tanta Flax & Oil Co. privatization. Al-Ahram Al-Ahram published the second part of its interview with former Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri, during which he presented a plan for economic recovery. Ganzouri pointed out that the former regime relied solely on the Suez Canal, the communication sector and gas exports for revenue – a strategy that precipitated the economic crisis. Forty Yemeni nationals were killed and hundreds were wounded during clashes between the Yemeni army and demonstrators, the paper also reported. Al-Akhbar Al-Akhbar published an investigative report about the increase of electoral lists to include two-thirds of the Parliament. The investigation reported that the Islamic powers and other political movements approve this measure, calling it a genuine attempt to frustrate former regime members' attempts to return to political life. The paper also printed a fact-finding report outlining the scope of foreign funds in Egyptian NGOs in the past six months. The report concluded that U.S. contributions over the last five months were more than its previous contributions in the last six years. The report also found that the EU offered contributions to 29 Egyptian NGOs. The ruling military council referred the election law amendments to the government for discussion, the paper reported. Field Marshal Tantawi, the leader of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), gave a 60-minute testimony at the Mubarak trial, the paper reported. He was asked 28 questions. Al-Masry Al-Youm Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak “had both a friend and partner in fugitive Egyptian businessman Hussein Salem,” and the ousted President received gifts from the businessman including “four villas costing 40 million EGP (U.S. $6.69),” reported Tarek Marzouk, an official in the Public Money Investigation Department. Mubarak used the power of the presidency to make Hussein earn as much money as possible, said Marzouk. “The toppled leader allocated billions of meters of Sinai land at below market prices to Salem,” he said. Field Marshal Tantawi refused to look at the former Egyptian president during his testimony at the Police Academy, but Mubarak reportedly stared at the leader of SCAF, the paper reported. Al Shorouq Al Shorouq revealed the names of members of the dissolved NDP Party who will run in the parliamentary elections in the al-Wafd Party. Among those named include Saddeek Afify, who donated 50,000 EGP (U.S. $8,371) to the al-Wafd Party after becoming a member, and Abdel Haleem Fawzy, who will be a candidate in the Manial district. Al Shorouq also published an interview with likely presidential candidate Mohamed Selim al-Awwa, during which he reported that his main project is to help Egyptians realize their self, freedom and dignity. He also said that any citizen can follow his own religion and religion should not be on Egyptian identification cards. Al Goumhoreya The military council decided to refer the elections law back to the Council of Ministries to discuss recent amendments demanded by political movements, the paper reported. Al Goumhoreya also reported that the public transportation drivers' strike continued and drivers protested outside the Council of Ministries with their buses.
