Annas [Archives:2005/896/Press Review]

14 Nov.2005
Main headlines

– Amnesty International requests Yemen to release its citizens in detention

– Heated beginning at the parliament, Al-Awadhi urges MPs against the president

– As government media describes the visit as successful, A president's delegation member seeks asylum with America

– YSP demands reinvestigation in the issue of Jarallah assassination

Wadie Atta wrote on the front page a report saying the political researcher Balqis Abu Isbaa has justified the retreat of the Egyptian opposition performance in parliamentary elections in comparison with its performance in the presidential elections. She mentioned that the national party coming out strong from those elections, its strength because of its control over most of media and financial power, are elements affected performance of the opposition. He added that Ms Abu Isbaa had also attributed strength of the Egyptian opposition during the presidential elections to a popular strength supported by external pressures. She said the power of opposition was enhanced by an international situation heading towards genuine democracy as it is the first experiment witnessed in Egypt. Therefore there was rush for taking part in them and that trend had had beyond the political parties to the Egyptian street. Ms Abu Isbaa added that the Muslim Brotherhood organization, from among opposition forces, is considered the only power capable of competing due to its broad base in the Egyptian street.

On the other hand, unofficial reports, confirmed by the opposition, mentioned the existence of doctoring cases and pressures by using the authority's influence of the ruling party I the parliamentary elections in Egypt.
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