The president, the general and the enemy
Wael Qandil
Al-Shorouk newspaper
In one of his habitual columns opposing the President, Qandil criticizes Morsy for his latest statements that praise former field marshal Tantawi (and other former military generals) for being the revolution’s guardians. As dozens of lawsuits claim the army is responsible for most killings and injuries recorded during the 25 January Revolution, Qandil sarcastically considers Morsy’s tribute to the military junta as indirect proof of their innocence.
Raving about Tantawi and his team pushes Qandil to defend the public frustration towards the president and urges him to believe that firm judiciary decisions are the sole solution to decipher the current perplexing atmosphere. The columnist also recalls the recent incident to appoint Egypt’s new envoy to Israel. He depicts the move as a proper form of disgrace to Egyptian revolutionaries. Instead of proceeding with a step as such, Qandil expected an official presidential apology that describes the occasion as a diplomatic mistake, especially after an Egyptian citizen has climbed up the building of the Israeli embassy and turned down its flag. Wrapping up his column, the writer intensified his criticism of Morsy and censures the presidential actions that happen to arise within the already inflamed climate against the presidency.
Out!
Mohamed Salmawi
Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper
In an attempt to dissect the recent dismissal of the newly appointed editor-in-chief of the state-run newspaper Al-Gomhuriya, Salmawi believes the move marks a persistent attitude tocrush the dignity of all journalists and the entire Egyptian press. The Shura Council decided to sack the editor only few months after it had considered appointing him as the leader of the paper. The writer chides the decision believing it undermines the whole press institution in Egypt. In his opinion, the step signifies that Egypt has never been for all Egyptians as the president claims, yet ensures that the country is owned by a group which simply decides to kick out whoever doesn’t serve its interests.
Comparing the incident to an earlier scenario that occurred during the era of late President Anwar El-Sadat, who used to head the Shura Council, Salmawi commends Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, the former editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram, who refused to suspend the Shura Council correspondent despite El-Sadat’s decision to lay him off. For young journalists, Heikal’s determination is a good lesson that affirms the journalists pride that should not shake within the reign of the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt’s state newspapers should not be the village owned by the Islamist group who are apparently capable to dismiss any editor with a simple phrase of “Out!”
Resolution is good
Mahmoud Khalil
Al-Watan newspaper
Touching upon the president’s latest statements in which he expressed gratitude to former military leaders, Khalil believes that Morsy will not want to upset anyone. After incorrect news spread that Field Marshal Tantawi and General Samy Anan were banned from traveling, Morsy insisted to show off his good relations with the ex-rulers. Ironically, Khalil writes that Morsy would probably also want to pay tribute to ousted President Mubarak so as to prove to the entire population that he is keen on maintaining good terms with former leaders. If Morsy starts using this approach, Egyptians shouldn’t be surprised to see official cooperation being sealed with remnants of the old regime or the ousted National Democratic Party (NDP).
In his view, Khalil considers Morsy’s acclaim of the old military gang as a waste of martyrs’ blood. If the president prefers being in harmony with all parties to pointing fingers at those who have brought the country to its knees, then Egyptians have the absolute right to oppose him, his group and the entire government. If Morsy would like to appear friendly even with the corrupt, Khalil asks why are we not sparing the headache and just stop thinking that a revolution happened less than two years ago.
