Egyptian opposition rejects Laura Bush comments
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-24 18:26

Opponents of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday rejected U.S. first lady Laura Bush's interpretation of Egyptian politics, saying they could not even see the progress she was praising.

"There are no reform steps at all. The regime is still following the dictatorial and repressive method toward the Egyptian people and opposition," said Mohamed Habib, deputy leader of the opposition Muslim Brotherhood.

Laura Bush said on Monday that Mubarak's proposal to introduce direct presidential elections was bold and wise and that political reform must happen slowly.

"We feel the speed is not even slow, but even backwards sometimes," said Mazen Mustafa, a member of the liberal Ghad Party and the Kefaya protest movement.

"I don't think Mrs Bush represents the administration and she is not aware of the government's low maneuvers," he added.

Laura Bush's remarks, made during a visit to the Giza pyramids on the outskirts of Cairo, adopted the Egyptian government position on Mubarak's proposal and on the pace of reform which Egypt can sustain.

The opposition says that a constitutional amendment on how to choose the president will in effect ensure that the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) can stay in power indefinitely.

They are calling on Egyptians to boycott Wednesday's referendum on the amendment, which sets tough conditions for independents and political parties to seek the presidency.

The recognized parties have an exemption from the conditions this year but analysts say that after years of exclusion from the mainstream media they cannot field a credible rival to Mubarak, who is widely expected to seek a fifth six-year term.

Habib said: "The regime is eager to ensure that the situation remains just as stagnant and frozen as ever. The emergency law is still in place and public freedoms are still suffering from deficiency and atrophy."

Habib said the number of Brotherhood members in custody had reached 960 in a crackdown which began in March. Most of the charges are for offences such as belonging to an outlawed organization, organizing demonstrations, possessing leaflets for distribution or "inciting hatred of the regime."

Laura Bush had more praise for Mubarak and the Egyptian government on Tuesday when she spoke to a group of Egyptian women at the U.S. ambassador's residence.

"Egypt is a very, very important friend of the United States. We have a longtime friendship, and Egypt has been a leader in peacemaking, and I appreciate that," she told.

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