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8th
May 1937
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| Abolition
of Capitulation |
During
the British occupation of Egypt, foreign residents
enjoyed privileged positions under the capitulation
system, including immunity from practically all taxation
and judicial prosecution. Even though Egypt's independence
was declared in 1922, the capitulation system remained
under the pretext of protecting minorities and foreign
interests in the country.
With
the escalation of the nationalist movement and the
signing of the 1936 Anglo-Egyptian Treaty, Britain
undertook to sponsor Egypt's entrance into the League
of Nations as well as to bring capitulation to a speedy
end. At the Montreux conference in May 1937, Egypt
obtained full rights of jurisdiction and taxation
over all residents. The mixed courts took over all
the jurisdiction of the consular courts for 12 years
when they too would be abolished.
As
a result, demands for domestic social and economic
reform were urgently publicised. Educated Egyptians
from within the political party and ruling establishment,
as well as from outside, became concerned with the
long-neglected social and economic problems. |
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Egyptian
Corrective Revolution
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The
Corrective Revolution in contemporary Egyptian politics
means the counter-procedures that were taken after
the events of 15 May 1971. The revolution meant
to correct any faults that could have occurred in
the course of the 23 July Revolution. However, the
revolution at the end of Gamal Abdel-Nasser's days
implied several derivations, including the imposition
of exceptional emergency laws, detention, torturing,
confiscation, violation of individual rights and
freedoms, and abuse of authority.
In
May 1971, Anwar Sadat abolished exceptional laws
and put to trial all officials accused of abusing
authority or making contacts apt to harm internal
security, endanger national unity and harm Egyptian
political life. He also undertook a reshuffle, excluding
all opposing parties. The general prosecution department
was founded in order to organise the sequestration
and ensure the security of the people under the
supervision of the People's Assembly.
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21st
May 1962
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National
Charter
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In
May 1962, Gamal Abdel-Nasser put forth before the
National Conference of Popular Powers the national
programme for political & social work in Egypt.
He explained that the goals of the Egyptian political
system in the coming years would centre upon boosting
public ownership of the main structures of production,
banks, means of transportation and most heavy and
moderate industries. He also stated that private ownership
would be subject to the strict supervision of the
public sector. According to the charter, the public
sector was to govern 75 per cent of the import and
export trade. In the area of agriculture, ownership
was limited to 100 feddans (one feddan is approximately
equal to one acre) per individual and later per family.
Nasser
declared the need for executing development procedures
within a framework of a comprehensive social and economic
plan as well as the need for a collective solution
to all problems of social and economic backwardness
through assembling national savings and making use
of modern technologies.
He
declared that according to the charter the various
sectors of labour, including farmers, should have
representation of at least 50 per cent in all elect
bodies and authorities. Moreover, Egypt was to support
Arab unity by backing all Arab development plans and
national popular movements as well as enhancing attempts
of union. All objections to the charter were assembled
in an official report, the "100 Committee Report."
The conference then ratified both the charter and
the opposing report as one political power. |
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22nd
May 1967
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Blocking
of the Straits of Tiran
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During
May 1967, Gamal Abdel-Nasser was at one of the low
points of his career. For five years, his forces had
been involved without success in the civil war in
Yemen against poorly armed tribesmen. He was in conflict
with King Hussein of Jordan and his relations with
Saudi Arabia were near breaking point.
Against
this background came an urgent request for assistance
from Syria, strengthened by the appearance in Cairo
of a Soviet delegation, informing Egypt that Israel
had massed troops along the Syrian frontier. Nasser
responded by moving large forces to Sinai. On 17 May,
he demanded the withdrawal of UN troops from a number
of points along the border. A few days later, on 22
May, Nasser declared the straits of Tiran closed to
Israeli shipping and to shipping bound to and from
Israel.
Israel
had previously made clear that the blocking of the
straits of Tiran would be considered a declaration
of war. Contingents arrived from other countries of
the Arab world. The Israeli government tried to solve
the crisis by diplomatic means, but the mission was
in vain.
According
to Mohammed Hassanein Heikal, Nasser's closest confidante
at the time, Nasser's action was based on the assumption
that closing the straits would incite Israel to try
to open them by force and break the blockade, which
would lead to war. Nasser believed that the ratio
of forces and the state of their preparedness guaranteed
Egypt's military success. He was convinced that in
a combination of both the military and political struggle
that would ensue, he would gain the upper hand. |
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26th
May 1937
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Egypt
Joins League of Nations
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The
League of Nations was an international organisation
formed after the end of the first world war to promote
international peace and security. It was designed
by US president Wilson to prevent the reoccurrence
of a world war. The charter was based on Wilson's
14 points that included: ending the old diplomacy
that led to war; using open diplomacy instead of secret
alliances; freedom of the seas; the impartial settlement
of old colonial claims; general disarmament; promotion
of peace; removal of trade barriers; protection of
territorial integrity; and independence of members.
In
August 1936, King Farouq signed the Anglo-Egyptian
Treaty, which gave Egypt the partial independence
that allowed it to join the League of Nations, while
giving Britain control over the Suez Canal area. Yet,
for many reasons, such as the refusal of the United
States to join the league and the necessity of a unanimous
vote, the League of Nations did not succeed in maintaining
world peace and security, and was dissolved with the
emergence of the second world war. |
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27th
May 1971
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Friendship
Treaty between Egypt and the USSR
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May
1971 saw many changes in Egypt, ending in Anwar Sadat
taking full control over Egyptian authority. Sadat
desired to assure the Soviet Union, Egypt's old ally,
that it would always have close ties with Egypt regardless
of any changes in the authority's official representative.
He hosted a high-level delegation in Cairo to discuss
Egyptian-Soviet relations. At the end of a series
of meetings, Egypt and the USSR signed an alignment
and friendship treaty that continued for 15 years.
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28th
May 1946
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Ansha'as
conference
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King
Farouq called for the convening of this summit, which
gathered leaders of the Arab League, as well as the
political leaders of Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon,
Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The conference recommendations
included the recognition of the Palestinian issue
as an issue for all Arabs and the consideration of
Jewish immigration as a flagrant violation of Palestinian
rights. The conference backed Egypt's calls for British
evacuation and called for the submission of the Palestinian
issue before the United Nations. It warned Britain
and the United States against supporting Zionist movement,
with participating parties alluding to the possibility
of an economic boycott of all parties siding with
Zionism. The conference unveiled Arab readiness to
boost common defence and to train Palestinians and
supply them with adequate money and weapons. |
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29th
May 1949
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Wedding
of Anwar and Jihan Sadat
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On
this day, Anwar Sadat married 16-year-old Jihan Safwat
Ra'ouf, known later as Jihan Sadat. During the presidency
of her husband, Jihan took part in a number of charity
projects. She was described by Ahmed Baha'a Al-Din
as "a unique personality with an obvious influence."
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30th
May 1967
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Joinet
Defence Treaty between Egypt and Jordan
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Following
Egypt's closing of the straits of Tiran, Arab armies
mobilised as additional contingents joined Gamal Abdel-Nasser's
forces. While enthusiasm developed in the Arab world,
King Hussein of Jordan, who a few weeks earlier was
criticised by Nasser for being an agent of the imperialists,
flew to Cairo for reconciliation. He later explained
to Western diplomats that he did so to take out on
an insurance policy in light of the rage that was
gripping the Arab world.
Signing
a defence agreement with Nasser, Hussein agreed to
the appointment of Egyptian general Abdel-Moneim Riyad
as joint commander of the Arab forces operating on
the Jordanian front. |
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31st
May 1934
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Establishment
of Egyptian Radio
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A
radio
service was established in the United Arab Republic
in May 1934 as an independent authority to broadcast
news bulletins, Qur'an recitals, and educational,
religious, scientific, literary and political programmes,
as well as music. Programmes were transmitted on various
wavelengths and in different languages.
In
1947, broadcasting was nationalised and, in May 1959,
the Egyptian radio service was turned into a public
authority affiliated to the presidency. Its main objective
was to participate in national orientation and to
promote the cultural, social and ethical living standards
of citizens. |
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