ISPRING 2003 ■ B M EGY L.E. 12.00 SAUDI R. 20.00 UAE Dh. 15.00 Jordan J.D. 2.50 ' J ? | T7MR "I ^5 FjwTTl r 1 i t- m oT ■ _ 2 _ 0 2 S p e a k Ou t Second In Series Exclusive Interview with Dr. Mostafa El Feki: In-depth insight into the political situation Volume 5 • Number 2 • Spring 2003 Magazine Cover Stories and Features p. 18 The Voice of Reason 1 8 I Dr. Mostafa el Feki, chairman of the Committee of Foreign Affairs, presents a i world perspective to past and recent events f Jacqueline Burrell p. 28 The Ethics of war An exclusive interview with the American Ambassador to Egypt C. David Welch W Amr Selim, edited by David Snipes p. 42 Desolation and Despair, but Speaking of it with Hope k Singer Mohamed Mounir speaks his mind about the Iraq War, calling for the Arab world to look to the future r David Snipes p. 46 Small Dreams, Big actions L Actress Raghda has long had empathy for Iraq’s people, particularly its chil- w dren. Deploring the war, she remains committed to improving their lot l 2 8 Amr Selim, edited by Jacqueline Burrell p. 50 Keeping Pace with Sudden Change L Top hotel executives reveal their strategy for adapting to an ever changing busi­ ness environment ^ Jacqueline Burrell p. 60 A Legend in the Making k The anticipated opening of Citystars augurs well for many sectors of Egyptian W life ^ Jacqueline Burrell p. 66 Breaking the Mold L Independent-minded Fathy Salama has been making ohis brand of music for ^ nearly a quarter century David Snipes p. 78 Changing the Face of Banking k G&D’s Moustafa Samaha is at the forefront of helping Egypt’s banks make the V transition to smart card technology Jacqueline Burrell 42 ran 661 7 8 7 2 Magazine Volume 5 • Number 1 • Winter 2003 TjH PFm 5j D r a n m m u i Departments A rts p. 72 The Culturewheel Abdel-Moneim and Mohamed el Sawy celebrate the memory of their father with ^ t h e establishment of a culture center, The Sakia of Abdel-Moneim el Sawy David Snipes p. 102 Book R eview A selection of guides whiten to make living in Cairo easier and more enjoyable Alexander Fuchs Arab History 1 0 0 p. 100 The Lion of the Sea Explorer Ahmed ibn Majid helped pave the way for Europeans to get a foothold l in the Indian sub-continent, a legacy bittersweet to some Dr. Youssef Mazhar Style P- 82 Warm Spring Fashions ►A selection of the top fashions made in Egypt 8 2 The Voice ofReason Mostafa M. el Feki is a National Democratic Party Member of Parliament and as chairman of that august body, the Committee of Foreign Affairs is a vital cog in the foreign relation’s apparatus of Egypt. At the time of the interview, the war between Iraq and the American led coalition had been raging for eight days, so it was obviously uppermost in his mind. His opinions on the subject of the war are concise and well considered as they were for all of the situations that were discussed with him and that currently disrupt the Middle East ostafa el Feki is definite­ with regards to their role in the war. to deciding the future of northern ly a man under pressure This is why both the American and Iraq but the Americans want to use M and obviously, the British troops are attempting a them as sub-contractors.” events of the past few weeks have breakthrough from the southern In el Feki’s opinion, the Kurds are taken their toll, yet his analysis of front but the northern front is not as a tool that have constantly been used the Iraq War was incisive and active as it should be. by the Turks, the Iraqis, the Iranians ranged from the strategic to the El Feki did not express surprise at and the Syrians as it suited them. diplomatic. the Turkish government’s decision Now they are a card that is being “The situation has not been clear to not allow the coalition forces to played primarily by the Americans since the start, and there have utilize their territory, restricting their and the British. already been some surprises. The cooperation to allowing use of their “This is a chronic problem and Iraqi reaction to the aggression is air space. one that will never be solved much stronger than the American, “The Turks have mixed interests, because no one agrees with the idea British or even the Arabs expected. they wish to aid the Americans as of an autonomous Kurdish state, I don’t believe they were fully aware they are members of the North they will never be allowed their own of the Iraqi’s ability to resist to the Atlantic Treaty Organization, but in identity.” extent they are doing now.” the meantime they don’t want to be El Feki, however, is a firm believ­ The northern front is also not as used in the establishment of a sepa­ er of self-determination for any effective as was originally thought, rate Kurdish identity. They want to nation on earth. as the Turks have not been decisive be full partners when it comes down “In general, the Kurds are SPRING 2003 he magazine 19 Muslims and they have lived in this ferent; the two prior wars that T h e Kurds part of the world for a great deal of Saddam has engaged in were nation­ The true origins of the Kurds time.” alistic and initiated by Iraq. The remain an enigma but many his­ El-Feki has great admiration for Iran-Iraq War lasted from 1980 to torians believe that they are the the Kurds and feels they have never 1988, permanently altering the Iraqi result of frequent layering of received the respect and understand­ status quo. This war was closely fol­ cultural and genetic material ing they deserve. lowed by the Gulf War, which supplied over a period of up to “I have never seen the West being resulted in tough economic and eight thousand of years of inter­ sincere about giving them an inde­ political sanctions. If this was not nal migrations, immigrations pendent state.” enough, the Iraqi people themselves and cultural assimilations by The only concession, el Feki suffered unspeakably at the hands of diverse groups of people from believes could be made is the forma­ the ruling regime during both of all over the region. The first tion of a Kurdish federation within these military adventures. mention of the Kurds in histori­ the state of Iraq. “Now, we are faced with a multi­ cal records was in cuneiform El-Feki went on to reiterate his purpose war. It is not just a question writings by the Sumerians in view that the war has not developed of oil but other strategic reasons as 3,000 B.C, who wrote of the as had been expected. well, mainly the security and stabil­ “land of the Karda”. “It is a though we are in ity of the backyard of Israel because The Kurds have made their the American want a new Middle own contributions to history in a jungle where it is a East. It is also a means to observe the past as well as now. El Feki question of the survival what is going on in Iran and Syria. reminded us that Salah el Din of the fittest” The Israelis are behind what is was the most famous Kurd in going on, for Israeli interests are history emerging as the greatest “Of course, in the end the regime paramount in America’s Middle military mind on either side of will implode because of the power Eastern policy and they feel that the the Crusades. Salah el Din was of the coalition but it will be said regime of Saddam and a powerful bom into a prominent Kurdish afterwards that the collapse state like Iraq is always a danger to family in 1137 in Tikrit, ironi­ occurred after determined resis­ Israel.” cally the same birthplace as tance. There is a great difference Not only does el Feki question the Saddam Hussein. In Egypt, he between surrendering immediately stated motives of the coalition in ini­ is reknowned for keeping the and being overpowered after an tiating this war, he is concerned country out of the First unequal struggle.” about the future impact of ignoring Cmsade. He died in 1193, and This will result in the Iraqi layman world bodies and treaty obligations. historians agree that he is one of tolerating an Iraqi dictator rather He feels that by-passing the UN will the world’s towering figures. than allowing himself to be subju­ create a world with no rules, a world “Egyptian born Ahmed gated by a foreign power. that no one wants. Shawky, the prince of poetry, “The psychology of the people “It is a though we are in a jungle was also a Kurd.” needs to be understood, especially where it is a question of the survival Shawky (1868-1932), poet, as we feel that this war is not justi­ of the fittest. Egypt has to respect its playwright and translator wrote fied for it is outside the realm of commitments for it is better to have songs for Umm Kulthum and in international legality. The war could a “cold” peace with Israel. Any vio­ 1924 took on Mohammed have been avoided, and we are not lation of the borders will cause a Abdel-Wahab as a student as saying that because we like Saddam new war in the Middle East, for if well, and enhanced his musical Hussein, of course not, for we know we are involved the whole region is education.