Abdellaziz Rahabi to Echorouk: “Repression only breeds extremism and terrorism”
The former Algerian Communication Minister, Abdellaziz Rahabi, has granted an exclusive interview to “Echorouk” in which he dwells on the historic developments unfolding in Egypt and their telling repercussions on other countries in the Arab world and elsewhere notably with a prime focus on the vexed Middle-East equation.
- What is your appreciation of the latest events unfolding in Egypt?
- I should say that what is happening in Egypt is tantamount to a revolution because it is aimed at bringing about a drastic change at the helm of the state. With the unabated street protests still the order of the day, everyone now is waiting for the Egyptian Armed forces’ next move regarding the future of the embattled Mubarak regime.
- In your opinion, will the Egyptian protesters be content with any other alternative rather than the departure of President Mubarak himself?
- The Egyptian revolution has brought down the walls of fear and liberated freedom of expression. And this is in itself a major achievement.
- As a result, the presidency for life and inheritance of power is now seriously called into question and denounced in Egypt and in other Arab states by all the Arab populations.
- What is your reaction to the US Administration’s shilly- shally stance towards the events in Egypt and Tunisia?
- Well, we should view the western countries’ stand through a pragmatic perspective taking into account only their vested interests in the Arab world. For instance, France and the US used to back the Ben Ali regime and when the latter collapsed, they expressed their support for the Tunisian protesters saying their demands were legitimate.
- But the western countries should understand that their backing for autocratic and undemocratic Arab regimes is counter-productive and doesn’t serve their interests and their professed ideal of democratic rule in all parts of the world.
- In your sense, what are the weak and strong points of beleaguered Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak?
- As a matter of fact, his strength on the domestic front is derived from the support extended to him by the Army and the wealthy business circles in Egypt. But, Mubarak’s weakness was brought to light on the Middle-East issue when the Palestinians began to negotiate directly with the Israelis without Mubarak’s prior green light and blessing.
- And now, without the Army’s backing, the Mubarak regime could tumble down at any moment. Life will tell, anyway.
- The Israeli authorities have expressed fear that Egypt could turn into another Iran, what is your reaction?
- This is an Egyptian revolution aimed at fulfilling the democratic aspirations of the Egyptian people in the first place and Israel should learn to deal with the new Egypt.
- Do you think that the historic events in Tunisia and Egypt could also occur in other Arab countries?
- This is quite possible and all the Arab states should ponder on these landmark events by enforcing genuine political and socio-economic reforms in order to meet the legitimate concerns and aspirations of their respective peoples.
- What have you got to say about the march for change planned for February 12th in Algiers?
- I am confident that the people’s leverage in Algeria could help foster salutary political reforms. I bring my full support to this planned march as it is aimed at calling on the authorities to enforce genuine political reforms and break with past practices in a peaceful atmosphere. We hope that the planned popular march for change due to be staged in Algiers will not be quelled forcefully by the security forces on the orders of the relevant authorities.
- Twenty years have now elapsed since the imposition in Algeria of the state of emergency, what is your comment?
- We should not be deluded on this very point. We have been to all intents and purposes under a state of emergency since the year 1962, with the exception of the period between 1989 and 1992.
- The problem now doesn’t lie at the level of the individual and collective liberties but it rather lies in the total lack of justice and equity in the distribution of national wealth which should have in principle benefited every Algerian citizen with no exception.