1
News Coverage prepared for: The European Union delegation to Egypt
“This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of authors of articles and under no circumstances are regarded as reflecting the position of IPSOS or the European Union.”
Disclaimer:
2
Thematic Headlines
HEC Prepared for Third Phase Domestic Scene
UK Documents: Mubarak Dim and Corruption-Free Egypt Police Raids US-Backed Pro-Democracy Organizations Reunion Friday: A Fiasco Salafis: Promotion of Virtue Page Defames Us Fatwa War on Ballots Egypt Requests Freezing 100 Mubarak Officials’ Accounts Al-Masry al-Youm Elections Updates Sectarian Violence in Asyut Clerics Dispute over Obedience to Army Advisory Council Succumbs to Islamists Shafiq: I Received Threats But Won’t Be Shaken Presidential Election Law Won’t Be Postponed Weak Expatriate Voters Turnout in Third Phase What Will Islamists Bring to the New Constitution? Protesters Claim Adly’s Head Thanking SCAF Awwa: Islamists Cannot Force Sharia Al-Shorouk Election Updates Mubarak’s Trial Imminent
Zawahiri Establishes Qaeda Base on Egyptian-Libyan Border
Regional Development
3
Newspapers (31/12/2011)
Page: 1 Author: Mohamed Anz, Amani Magued and others
HEC Prepared for Third Phase
The High Elections Commission headed by Judge Abdel-Muez Ibrahim finished preparations needed for the third phase of the elections scheduled for January 10 and 11. The political parties in third phase elections will be conducted in 9 governorates will be competing for 150 seats as follows: Minya (24 seats), Qalyoubia (18 seats), Gharbiya (30 seats), Daqahliya (36 seats), North Sinai (6 seats), South Sinai (6 seats), Matrouh (6 seats), Qena (18 seats), and al-Wadi al-Gadid (6 seats).
4
Page: 1 Author: AFP
UK Documents: Mubarak Dim and Corruption-Free
Classified documents revealed that Mubarak was assessed by the UK Foreign Ministry before his accession to power as dim, no intellectual and free of any taint of corruption, reported the Daily Telegraph.
5
Page: 1, 5 Author: Ahmed Mousa, Mohamed Shoman and others
Egypt Police Raids US-Backed Pro-Democracy Organizations
The Egyptian Police and Army forces stormed 17 civil organization offices in 5 governorates, last Thursday. The security searching campaigns were justified by a Judicial source on the grounds that these organizations are not registered with the Ministry of Solidarity and thus unauthorized to work in Egypt. A senior judicial source said that these organizations circumvented the law and managed to open offices in several governorates across Egypt.
The security forces confiscated documents and computers found in those offices and interrogated employees inside offices. Among the confiscated items were reports on the Egyptian parliamentary elections and the torture of prisoners.
The raids on the US-backed pro-democracy groups angered a number of international and inter-governmental organizations. The spokesperson of the United Nations Human Rights Council condemned the raids and called for an end to such “violations.” She was quoted as adding that oppression against human rights pro-democracy groups hinders its role in supporting human rights and assisting in the transition to democracy in Egypt.
On top of the said organizations were the US-funded International Republican Institute, National Democratic Institute and Freedom House.
The US State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland warned that it would be difficult to persuade the Congress to continue to provide military aid to Egypt if conditions do not improve. "We are very concerned because this is not appropriate in the current environment," she said.
In reaction to the raid on the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation, German foreign Ministry summoned Egypt’s Ambassador in Berlin to express denouncement.
6
Similar news was reported in al-Masry al-Youm, pages 1, 4, 5+ Islamists hail the security raid on pro-democracy groups. Al-Baradei condemns raids on human rights organizations and said they will be monitoring attempts to defame them.
Similar news was reported in al-Dustour, pages 1, 4+ Former program manager at the National Democratic Institute, Dawlat Eissa, a US citizen, said she quit her job at the Institute when she learned that the funds it received aimed at training parties that were born out of the womb of the dissolved NDP. She added, in her televised interview on al-Hayah on Dream 2 station, that the Institute received funds directly from the US Congress to implement a plan to ruin political life in Egypt and occupy it in 2015.
Similar news was reported in al-Tahrir, page 1, 4, 5; al-Shrouk, page 1, 5.
Similar news was reported in al-Youm 7, page 5, 2+ Hafiz Abu-Seda, director of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights: Security targeting of human rights organizations is an aggressive attack.
7
Page: 4 Author: Sameh Lshine, Ibrahim Omran, and others
Reunion Friday: A Fiasco
The Friday’s protests of this week which was called ‘Reunion Friday’ as it meant to unite all political forces failed miserably as none of the representatives of political forces showed up.
The few protesters who took to the square in what was supposed to be another million-person march chanted slogans against SCAF. Sheikh Mazhar Shahin gave the Friday Ceremony in Omar Makram Mosque, in which he called on SCAF to not allow a wedge between the people and the Army.
The protesters also condemned the acquittal of the Sayida Zaynab police station officers who were tried for killing protesters. A number of political forces called for protests in front of the High Court of Justice premises to protest its ruling.
In Abassiyah square, to where pro-SCAF protesters were supposed to flock in response to the calls to the Reunion Friday, the number of protesters was zero.
Similar news was reported in al-Masry al-Youm, pages 1, 6; al-Gomhouriya, page2; al-Dustour, page 1; al-Tahrir, page 3; Youm 7,page 1, 4; Al-Akhbar, page 4.
8
Page: 4 Author: Sameh Lshine, Ibrahim Omran, and others
Salafis: Promotion of Virtue Page Defames Us
Salafi parties, al-Nour and the Salafi Call Youths, disclaimed links to the Internet page ‘The Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.’ Al-Nour spokesman, Nader Bakkar, said the page was meant to depopularize the Salafis who came on top in the results of the second phase of the parliamentary elections.
Similar news was reported in al-Tahrir, page 2
9
Front Pages: 1, 8 Authors: Hamdi Dabsh, Hani al-Waziri and others
Fatwa War on Ballots
Fatwas issued by Sheikh Yasser Burhami, deputy head of the Salafi Call, sparked conflict between the main competitors in the third phase of the parliamentary elections: the Salafis, 144 candidates, and the Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm FJP, 136 candidates.
In his fatwa, Burhami deemed invalid voting in constituencies in which al-Nour candidates are not running as voters should not support those who fight the Islamic sharia. “Annul your vote if the candidates in your constituencies are only liberals,” he said. He also added that it was ok to use mosques for campaigning as it is not publicity in this case, but a call for “promoting virtue.”
Legal consultant to the FJP, Dr. Ahmed Abou-Baraka, criticized Burhami’s fatwa, saying that it was a national duty to cast votes.
Similar news was reported in al-Masry al-Youm, page 8.
10
Front Page: 3 Authors: Agencies
Egypt Requests Freezing 100 Mubarak Officials’ Accounts
Egypt Ambassador in Washington, Sameh Shokri, said that Egypt requested freezing of bank accounts of about 100 officials in the toppled Mubarak regime. The decision was made as the officials were suspects in corruption cases.
Shoukri said that the Embassy received request of judicial aid from the Public Prosecutor in Egypt to refer claims to the US bodies concerned.
Similar news was reported in al-Gomhouriya, page 3; al-Dustour, page 3; Youm 7, page 1; Al-Akhbar, page 3.
11
Front Page: 8 Authors: Agencies
Al-Masry al-Youm Elections Updates
A number of independent candidates in the first constituency in the third phase of the parliamentary elections expressed their deep concern over the dominance of the Islamists parties in the new Parliament, referring to the violations they committed with regards to the publicity rules. In a conference they held yesterday, the independents pointed out the violations by the Muslim Brotherhood’s FJP that uses schools and streets of polling stations for publicity. “We utterly reject the Islamist and military dictatorships,” said Mohamed Abou-Hamid, representative of the Egyptian Bloc. The Kefaya candidate, former brigadier general Mohamed Badr, held a conference in Gharbiya as part of his campaigning. He described the coming Parliament as the most dangerous in the History of Egypt. In Sharqiyah, 50 candidates run, for the second time, the elections to People’s Assembly. Candidates will be racing for two individual seats in the fifth constituency in Sharqiyah in which elections were annulled by the Administrative Court, for enlisting a dead candidate in the candidates’ list.
12
In the second constituency, which includes Nag Hammadi, 15 political parties compete for 8 seats, while 89 candidates compete for two individual seats. The third constituency in Qalyoubiya, one of the largest constituencies in terms of area and number of candidates, 87, of which 76 are independent, is witnessing a heated competition.
13
Front Page, 3 Authors: Mahmoud al-Usseiri
Sectarian Violence in Asyut
Clashes erupted in the Upper Egyptian city of Asyut as Muslims and Copts pelt each other with rocks, causing casualties on both sides and a police officer.
A Coptic school student, Massoud Abdellah, posted offensive caricatures depicting Prophet Mohammed, on his Facebook page. A protest demonstration was organized, Thursday morning, in front of Manqabad High School where the Coptic student goes.
Police intervened to break up the clashes but the Muslims later attacked his house and the Copts responded by throwing rocks.
Similar news was reported in al-Dustour, page 3; al-Tahrir, page 2; al-Shorouk, page 1; Youm 7, page 1
14
Front Page: 13 Authors: Ahmed al-Dawi and Omar Abdel-Gawad
Clerics Dispute over Obedience to Army
In the Friday prayer ceremony in a mosque in 6th of October city, the Mufti of Egypt, Sheikh Ali Gomaa, preached that disobeying the Police and Army security orders is against the Islamic sharia.
The Mufti’s view was met with utter rejection by other clerics, including some Salafis, who accused him of representing the despotic ruler.
Sheikh Khaled Saed, spokesperson of the Salafi Front, argued that there were limits to obedience and criticized the Mufti’s statement as glorifying injustice and idolizing a new tyrant.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Yusri Hammad, official spokesperson for the Salafi al-Nour party, disagreed with sheikh Saed, saying that it was the Army’s job to ensure security in the state.
Similar news was reported in Youm 7, page 2.
15
Page: 1 Author: Mohamed al-Sawi and Ahmed Ghoneim
Advisory Council Succumbs to Islamists
The SCAF Advisory Council decided to put off discussions related to criteria for forming the constituent assembly until unanimity is reached by the representatives of the various political forces and the Council’s members. A step seen as a surrender to the Islamist’s wish.
16
Page: 1 Author: Mahmoud al-Hosary
Shafiq: I Received Threats But Won’t Be Shaken
Former Prime Minister and presidential hopeful, Ahmed Shafiq, said in the conference he held in Menoufiya as part of his campaigning that he received death threats upon his arrival. He warned those he called “haters” that his reaction would be tough, adding that such threats made him more determined to resume his electoral campaign.
17
Page: 2 Author: Emad Hamdi
Presidential Election Law Won’t Be Postponed
Judge Mohamed Attiya, Minister of Local Development, said the law on presidential elections was tabled for discussion last Tuesday, and will be submitted for the approval of the Cabinet and SCAF soon. He added that this will not be postponed until the first session of the People’s Assembly.
Similar news was reported in al-Tahrir, page 1
18
Page: 3 Author: Dalia al-Hamshari and Mohamed Faisal
Weak Expatriate Voters Turnout in Third Phase
Expatriate Egyptians continued, yesterday, to cast their votes. Turnout was weak in some constituencies, which previously witnessed huge participation in the first two phases.
In Kuwait, the Muslim Brotherhood’s FJP remained on top, followed by al-Nour, then
the Egyptian Bloc.
19
Page: 2 Author: Iman Abd al-Munim
What Will Islamists Bring to the New Constitution?
The new constitution is said to will be drafted by a constituent assembly of 100 people. Disputes arose over what forces will be represented. While MPs defend their rights to choose the members or the assembly, the SCAF argues that the Parliament does not represent all spectrums of society. Al-Selmi’s document was done away with. Five versions suggested to resolve the issue, says author of the article. Three, proposed by the Islamists, one by SCAF and another by the liberals, she added.
Sheikh Hassan Aboul-Ashbal, Salafi member of the legal committee for reform and change, said that the committee did not coordinate with the Muslim Brotherhood or the Salafis, despite their agreeing to the proposed constitution. He added that the committee will submit the draft written by the Sufi Dr. Abou-Taleb, former People’s Assembly Speaker, in cooperation with the Islamic Research Academy to the constituent assembly to use it while drafting the new constitution.
Dr. Ahmed Abou-Baraka, meanwhile, legal advisor to the FJP, said that the Muslim Brotherhood has been working on drafting a constitution since 1984. He added that the group’s vision agrees with the 1971 Constitution except for Chapter 5, which regulates the authorities of the President of the Republic, referring to the amending article 74 of this chapter to allow a parliamentary-presidential system.
20
Pages: 1 Author: Mamdouh Hassan
Protesters Claim Adly’s Head
Families of the victims who were killed or injured in the incident that took place in front of Sayida Zaineb Police Station crowded in front of the Tora prison gate, protesting the acquittal of the 4 police officers who were involved.
Protesters threw rocks and bottles at the prison security, chanting they wanted vengeance of al-Adly, former minister of Interior under Mubarak’s rule.
21
Page: 1 Author: Abir Salah and Wael Shebl
Thanking SCAF
An Arabic Language exam at the Aboul-Sir high school asked students to write a thank-you letter to the SCAF for protecting the revolution. This calls to minds the stereotypes praising Mubarak in all public entities, say authors of the article.
Similar news was reported in al-Masry al-Youm, page 3; Youm 7, page 1
22
Page: 1 Author: Younis Darwish
Awwa: Islamists Cannot Force Sharia
Presidential hopeful, Selim al-Awwa, said in a reply to a question by an attendee of his electoral conference, that Islamists cannot force women to wear hijab or cancel Coptic celebrations. He said that Egyptians will no longer allow a ruling similar to Mubarak’s.
Al-Awwa also criticized the SCAF, saying that they issued a bunch of laws but hardly implemented any.
23
Page: 6 Author: Mohamed Adel, Hassan Salih, and others
Al-Shorouk Election Updates
A Carter delegation monitors preparations, in Qalyoubiya, for the third phase of the parliamentary elections.
The Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm, FJP, attempts to garner votes through women marches and motor-bike rounds.
In a conference held by the Salafi party, al-Nour, anti local media slogans were chanted as well as chants against the liberals, branding them “infidels.”
24
Page: 3 Author: Agencies
Zawahiri Establishes Qaeda Base on Egyptian-Libyan Border
Libyan sources reporting anti-terrorism officials told CNN that the leader of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahri, assigned a member, who holds a European nationality and was formerly detained in British prisons, to recruit and train militias.
The said member was sent by al-Zawahiri to the Eastern region of Libya, near its borders with Egypt, where he managed to recruit 200 fighters.
Similar news was reported in al-Akhbar, page 17.
25
Page: 4 Author: Not Mentioned
Mubarak’s Trial Imminent
Cairo Criminal Court resumes, in two days, hearing sessions in the trial of former president Hosni Mubara, his two sons, minister of Interior al-Adly, and 6 senior security officials, facing charges of murdering protesters and corruption. The Plaintiff defense insists to summon Lieutenant General Sami Anan, SCAF member, to give his testimony.
Similar news was reported in Al-Masry Al-Youm, page 3
26
TV Coverage (30/12/2011)
Program: Al-Hayat Al-Yom (Talk Show)
Channel: Al-Hayat
Host: Lobna Assal
Major General Tallat Mosalam, Former Head of Military studies unit in Al-Ahram Center for Political Studies)
Guests:
Saber Abu-Khadra, Activist
Hundreds in Tahrir chanting against SCAF in Friday of Unity.
- - Program: Sabah Al-Kheir Ya Masr - Channel 1 “National TV”
- USA, United Nations and France condemn inspection of 17 foreign and civil
organization headquarters. - National forces coalition calls for demonstrations demanding the unity of the citizens. - Investigative judge referred inspecting and brining documents from the organizations
suspected in receiving foreign financing.
- Low turnout for accepting the calls for the reconciliation between Tahrir and Abasseya
protestors. - Tuesday is the last phase of the elections.
27
Program: Masr Tantakheb
Channel: CBC
Host: Khairy Ramadan
Dr. Al-Sayed Al-Badawy, Head of Wafd Party
Guest:
- All options are available either by protesting or by organizing marches in order to resume work in the organizations.
- Essam Al-Eryan said, Constitution Committee has to include all parties of the society. - Mansour Hassan said, the parliament is fully responsible for choosing the members of
the committee drafting the constitution. - Revolution Youth Coalition boycotts Friday of Unity as they are not sure of the
intensions of who called for it. - According to Al-Masry Al-Yoom Newspaper: investigative judges called 13 activists and
judges to be questioned regarding foreign finance cases. - Wafd Head said:
• The results of the first phase of the elections surprised us. • Voting in the elections was according to the religious orientations of each party. • No coalition between Wafd and any party in the third phase of the elections. • It’s better for the upcoming period to form a coalition government that includes
some of the political forces.
28
Internet Coverage (31/12/2011)
We ara all Khaled Saed
As everyone expected, the trial of ousted president Mubarak was postponed till January 2, 2012.
A picture that says a thousand words: A female suspect in the Ministerial Cabinet events – interrogations with her have not even started- handcuffed to her hospital bed. While a suspect in several cases who received jail sentences in a number of them wears no handcuffs at all outside the court room. https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-
snc7/s320x320/399067_313535142029690_104224996294040_759701_79044987_n.jpg
The revolution will continue, till we witness a free Egypt.
Egyptian Cabinet
Cabinet approved:
Draft law of amending some provisions of exercising political rights law that allows vote counting in the substations as per HEC.
Increasing pensions by EGP50 monthly for each family, starting 2012
Al-Ganzory said we have the right to celebrate the first memory of the unprecedented January 25 revolution.
Asmaa Mahfouz
- Nonviolence is about challenging authority without relying on weapons. Pacifism! - SCAF’s use of tanks to suppress a peaceful protest made by young people is only evidence to their weakness.
29
- The question is how we can resist using violence to counter their attacks and how to maintain our peacefulness. - Army leaders are brainwashing Army officers and soldiers by telling them that the revolution is a Zionist conspiracy that they must fight. We need to convey the truth to those officers. - SCAF is using state institutions to smear our images. We need to convey the truth to employees in these institutions and to other people in the streets. - Do you remember our efforts in 2010 that got us to see January 25 demonstrations? We reached people through the simplest ways possible; silent stands, displaying videos, spreading flyers and posters, etc.
- English translation of Maikel Nabil's message to us from prison: "The One Citizen"
AalamWassef
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gMMLi3r-X0o7Ix1QsPLUY9DDY4cdQOBpY-4mucAy9mE/edit - Please join the demonstration in Tahrir tomorrow 6pm.
- Gem: Check out the poster Maikel Nabil was holding in front of an Army tank on January 30th! Join the demonstration today.
- The story of Maikel Nabil... His life is now in danger
Monasosh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBHs1Xs2lF4 #FreeMaikel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBHs1Xs2lF4
- Didn't see this yesterday:
Iyad_ElBaghdadi
Arab League monitors visiting a home in #BabaAmr, #Homs, #Syria
- Read the theory of abusing the use of rights in Islamic Jurisprudence. What should be done when a legitimate right is used to inflict harm upon others?
- Nothing surprises, shocks, and/or amuses society as much as a new example of common sense. And yet we call it "common".
Gsquare86
30
- A conference on “Violations against women after the revolution” on Thursday December 29 at 11:00 AM at the Journalists Syndicate. http://www.anhri.net/?p=46281
- A conference on “Violations against women after the revolution” on Thursday December 29 at 11:00 AM at the Journalists Syndicate.
- Journalists Syndicate Board holds the military council responsible for attacks against journalists and threatens to escalate. http://www.dostor.org/society-and-people/variety/11/december/28/65448
- State Security Prosecution will call for investigation Revolutionary Socialists even though the complaint filed against them was withdrawn. http://www.e-socialists.net/node/8056
- We all agree on the demands of the revolution. The disagreements only arise on how to achieve them. It is normal that we disagree on how to achieve the demands of the revolution given our various political backgrounds. What doesn't make sense to me or seem even logical is trying to say "we will agree to achieve the goals of our revolution."
- Twitter was good before the January 25 revolution but post revolution Twitter is changing the way we communicate and influence people and especially media!
UWaelAbbas
- Committee for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Egypt published their funding documents by Al-Nour Salafi Party. They said they will beat up those they deem sinful with wooden sticks until they buy teasers!
- They said they will inspect public gardens to detect immoral behaviors.
31
Al-Ahram: Egyptian state-run official daily newspaper
Publication overview
Founded in 1875, is the most widely circulating Egyptian daily newspaper, and the second oldest after al-Waqa'i`al-Masriya (English: The Egyptian Events, founded 1828). It is majority owned by the Egyptian government.
Al-Akhbar: Egyptian state-owned semi-official daily newspaper
It was founded in May 1952 as a part of Akhbar El Yom
Al-Gomhoria: Egyptian state-owned daily newspaper
.
An influential state-owned Egyptian Arabic language daily newspaper. It was established in 1954.
Al-Shorouk: Egyptian daily independent newspaper
Is a prominent Arabic newspaper published in Egypt [1] and several other Arabic nations It is a daily independent newspaper, covering mainly politics, militant affairs and sport.
Al-Masry al-Yom: Independent daily newspaper
On 7 June 2004, it published its first edition. The paper initially circulated primarily amongst Cairo’s intellectual elite, providing objective news coverage in the belief that good news would beat sensationalist reporting found in other Egyptian print media. After 3 years, it was challenging Al-Ahram for the status of being the national paper of record. Though
Tahrir: Daily independent newspaper
Dostor: Daily independent newspaper
Yom 7: Daily independent newspaper
32
Newspapers ………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………3-23 Table of Content:
HEC Prepared for Third Phase…………………………………………………………………………………3 Al Ahram Newspaper
UK Documents: Mubarak Dim and Corruption-Free…………………………………………………………..4 Egypt Police Raids US-Backed Pro-Democracy Organizations……………………………………………….5-6 Reunion Friday: A Fiasco……………………………………………………………………………………………7 Salafis: Promotion of Virtue Page Defames Us……………………………………………………………………8
Fatwa War on Ballots………………………………………………………………………………………………..9 Al Masry Al Yawm Newspaper
Egypt Requests Freezing 100 Mubarak Officials’ Accounts………………………….……...............................10 Al-Masry al-Youm Elections Updates…………………………………………………………….……………..11 Sectarian Violence in Asyut …………………………………………………………………………..…………13 Clerics Dispute over Obedience to Army……………………………………………..………………………14
Advisory Council Succumbs to Islamists……………………………………………………………………….15 Al Gomhoreya Newspaper
Shafiq: I Received Threats But Won’t Be Shaken……………………………………………………………….16 Presidential Election Law Won’t Be Postponed…………………………………………………………………17 Weak Expatriate Voters Turnout in Third Phase……………………………………………………………….18
What Will Islamists Bring to the New Constitution?...........................................................................................19 Al Tahrir Newspaper
Protesters Claim Adly’s Head……………………………………………………………….………………….18 Thanking SCAF…………………………………………………………………………………….…………….19 Awwa: Islamists Cannot Force Sharia…………………………………………………………………………22 Al-Shorouk Election Updates……………………………………………………………………………………23
Zawahiri Establishes Qaeda Base on Egyptian-Libyan Border………………………..……………………24 Al Yawm Al 7 Newspaper
Mubarak’s Trial Imminent……………………………………………………………….………………………25 Al Akhbar Newspaper
TV CoverageAl Hayah TV Channel ……………………………………………………………..….………….………………………….26
………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………24-27
Channel 1…………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………..26 CBC Channel……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………27 Links……………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………28 Radio CoverageRadio Misr……………………………………………………………………………………..….………………………….……28
……………………………………………………………………..…………..…………….……………..28-30
Al Shark Al Awsat Channel…………………………………………………………………….…..……………….…………..29 Links………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………30 Internet coverageFace book………………………………………………………………………………………….………………..…………….28
………………………………………………………………………………...………...…………………31-33
Twitter………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………28-29
