[UPDATE 10-29-04] by nadezhda

Things are getting a tad nastier in Bahrain's tug-of-war over free speech, and Mahmood in his den doesn't appear terribly optimistic about either the commitment to Freedom of Speech or the political IQ of certain MPs (Concentration Camps: A Natural Progression). Even with the apparent leadership of a modernizing crown prince, the forces of conservatism act as a dead weight. Mahmood's cri de coeur is, unfortunately, one heard all to frequently across the region when attempts at reform are taken.
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praktike's Cairo trip will coincide with the second annual convention -- Sept 21-23 -- of the ruling party (National Democratic Party). The theme of this year's conference is "New Thinking and the Priorities of Reform" which, will highlight economic reforms and political reforms.

On the political reform side, according to "Reform Debate Heats Up" from Al Ahram Weekly, it seems some changes are to be made to the process that regulates the formation and operation of opposition parties. At the least, the changes should improve on the current "system" of vague and arbitrary application of the rules.

Parellel to the preparations by the NDP for the conference, a group of eight opposition poltical parties has taken some steps to organize themselves to press for constitutional reforms prior to the transfer of power from Mubarak that will come, sooner or later. They have created a joint secretariat to develop a unified reform agenda, coordinate action and speak with a unified voice. They intend "outreach" not only to professional and human rights groups but to others currently even further outside the political system, such as the Muslim Brotherhood.

Apparently both the opposition groups and the NDP agree that this is not a "declaration of war" or serious threat to the ruling party. There is considerably less agreement on the sorts of reforms that should be front and center. The NDP doesn't plan for constitutional reforms, and orderly succession, to be on the list at their convention labelled "Priorities for Reform."

NDP Secretary-General Safwat El-Sherif said the ruling party did not see the opposition conference as an overt attempt to sabotage the ruling party's upcoming conference. He said the NDP did not think constitutional reform was a priority right now. "[Too] much talk on constitutional reform on the part of the opposition will open the door to foreign intervention in domestic affairs," El-Sherif said. "The opposition should recognise this fact, and opt to seek common ground with the NDP, so as not to allow foreign powers to meddle with the country's future."

Somewhat sad that Bush's loud advocacy of freedom and democracy is being used to justify avoiding fundamental democratic reforms by the regime that the US hopes will "lead by example" in reforming the Middle East!