March 31, 2013
In the aftermath of the anniversary of February 11, 2011, which marked the
turning point in Egypt’s revolutionary transition, we are saddened by recent
disturbances, and meaningless violence that resulted in tragic losses of
innocent lives, and damage to public property. President Abdullah Gül and Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on behalf of the Turkish nation
shared the sorrow of the people and government of Egypt and conveyed their
condolences to the grieving families and relatives of the victims.
Egypt is undergoing a phenomenal process of transition towards democracy. All
Egypt’s friends sincerely hope to see that the process culminates into a just,
lasting, accountable and representative new governing order rewarding the
cradle of the Nile civilization and its beautiful people. This will obviously take
time, since democracy is a system of values that can only be learned, built and
exercised; and not genetically acquired. Therefore it is only natural that on
the path to constitutional democracy there could be pitfalls, institutional
and/or social differences; or the process may take longer than desired. There
may also be moments when certain segments of the society may find it painful
and appalling to relinquish old customs, adjust to the new realities, new
rules, and give up the habits practiced in the past. Yet, centuries-old
civilizational experience testifies to the fact that it is well worth paying
this price, for democracy is priceless.
In my opinion, Egyptian people have already proven to the world that they want
“genuine change” and this change should be “peaceful” towards democratic
governance respectful of universal values. As it builds its own democracy, I am
confident that Egypt will welcome contributions and support from its true
friends through partnership and cooperation, but this should not be in the form
of impositions and dictations.
Egyptian people and political forces are in need of hammering-out a new
national covenant. A social contract that will unite all segments of the
society, empower the people, give them the long needed safeguards for freedom,
dignity, justice, and ultimately, the motivation to build a prosperous future
by reviving the economy through accountable, transparent governance. Such an
understanding will definitely inspire hope and sense of ownership which are essential
for mobilization at national level to face the difficulties and build a common
future.
It is not through despair, fragmentation and vengeance, but through hope and
determination that a nation can lift itself up to mobilization, (now needed
more than ever in the past in Egypt), to regain its glory and rhythm. It is
high time to prove that Egyptian people are perfectly capable of charting their
future based on dialogue and compromise, and not through confrontation.
I personally believe that overwhelming majority of Egyptian people and
political forces want this. They are conscious about their civilizational
responsibility, and actually during multiple phases of electoral transition
they demonstrated again and again to the rest of the world that democratic
governance is not a privilege only for certain “others” but it remains a
sovereign choice, one that Egypt opts for. Yet, one has to also understand
that, the road to democracy is not a short one, and I believe the people of
Egypt will remain determined to walk it through, no matter how steep.
What one has to understand clearly is, democracy is not absolute rule of
majority, but it is governing by majority, but through dialogue, consensus, and
respect towards minorities. In other words, the strength of democracy lies in
its very nature that minorities and/or dissenting opinions are not supressed,
neutralized or disregarded, but they are respected, included and accommodated.
Regime changes and transitions are inevitably turbulent wherever they may
occur, and the societies in question are exposed to extensive internal debate
and arguments with varying aspirations and differences surfacing. The way to
prevent those differences from evolving into violent conflict is to promote a
climate of mutual compromises through balancing acts and "separation of
powers.” In other words: while building a new harmony between various forces
and sources of governance, the society needs checks and balances to safeguard
the interests of different groups, and even more importantly to preserve sense
of belonging and ownership through greater liberties and rights.
That is what democracy is all about. And I am confident that Egypt is
capable of building solid foundations to nourish its nascent democracy by
addressing all these concerns, and responding to the needs and aspirations of
its people. In the final analysis, the virtue and strength of every democracy
depends on the environment it creates, and also whether it can build a broadly
representative viable order balancing individual freedoms, public life, and
various interests inherent in every society.
Throughout history, the keys of solutions to mankind's problems of governance
have been imbedded in two fundamental areas “economy” and “education.” Without
success in these two vital sectors, it will be difficult to achieve progress;
and chances to maintain a rising pattern of progress will be limited. The
challenges ahead of Egypt will not be different.
Egypt is at a crossroads in its contemporary history. It will take several
generations, and more sacrifices will have to be made, till hardships and
turbulence are overcome. But there is no easy way around. Progress and change
always come with a price. Carrying Egypt into 21st Century as a viable
democracy with a free society in dignity and hope, as laid down during the
Tahrir Revolution, will also need sacrifice, patience and determination.
Democracy is no easy task to achieve and one should never underestimate the
challenges ahead.
Yet, I remain optimistic. People's will shall prevail. The on-going debate,
tensions and even occasional frictions,
should not discourage the Egyptians, since they are natural. As long as
they are peaceful, and conducive towards a truly democratic, broadly based,
representative new order uniting the Egyptians, such convulsions will be well
worth enduring. And the pain will vanish while crowning the birth of a healthy
child.
The great River Nile rose again, yet this time it shall not flood its banks,
but carry Egypt into the 21st Century as a shining democracy.
Hüseyin Avni Botsali is the Turkish Ambassador to Egypt