The October War has further proved that cooperation and solidarity are inevitable if Arabs are to be united as they face not only the enemy at that time but also the intransigent position of the Israeli government at present. From a regulated economy basically dependent on the Public Sector, Egypt has shifted to a market economy with enormous incentives provided to the Private Sector. Meanwhile, Public Sector vital institutions have been maintained which have shielded the country against the snowball effects of financial and economic crises. With the war over, Egypt has recovered the oil wells in Sinai, reopened the Suez Canal and received an outpour of tourists who have come to enjoy a peaceful stay. A stabilized rate of exchange.
Turkey is to drag Syria into a fight while Israel reaps the fruits.
Eager not to be in the picture, Israel assigns Turkey the dirty job of destroying the Syrian Armed Forces. Hence the massive Turkish buildup on the Syrian borders, the incresed number of sorties of Turkish warplanes, and the call made by Ankara for the departure from Damascus of Turkish diplomats. In view of the Turkish war preparations, Egypt has moved to defuse the crisis and to help both parties resolve their differences peacefully through negotiations rather than through military action. President Mubarak has, thus, started a number of visits. As always, Saudi Arabia was his first stop where he had talks on Saturday with King Fahd.