Egyptian Feminist Nawal El Saadawi on Bush's 'Democratization' of Middle East

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called on parliament last month to change the constitution to allow opposition candidates to run for president. Under the current system, Egyptians vote for president every six years, choosing "yes" or "no" for a candidate approved by parliament. Mubarak has ruled since 1981 and will seek a fifth six-year term in September. If Parliament approves the political reform, Mubarak will face opposition for the first time.

The surprise move came amid unprecedented protests in the streets of Cairo. A coalition of political groups composed of Islamists, Nasserists and secularists, have joined forces to stage the public demonstrations opposing the renewal of Mubarak's presidential term. The coalition is named the Egyptian Movement for Change, more commonly known as the "Kifaya" - or "enough" - movement.

A few days ago, 500 protesters gathered outside Cairo University for what is being called the largest anti-Mubarak demonstration ever. Egypt has been under Emergency Law for over 20 years and public demonstrations are banned.

Among the Kifaya movement's demands are modifying the constitution and opposing the succession of Gamal Mubartak - the president's son - who many say is being groomed to replace his father. They are also calling for the release of, what they say, are 20,000 illegal detainees from prison. Among those detainees is Ayman Nour, a leader of the new opposition party El Ghad - or "Tomorrow." He was arrested for allegedly forging signatures to secure a license for his party.

We turn now to Nawal el Saadawi, an internationally known feminist, human rights activist, psychologist and writer who is planning a run for the presidency of Egypt. For decades, El Saadawi has worked tirelessly on behalf of women in Egypt and the Middle East. Her novels and books on the situation of women in Egyptian and Arab society have had a deep impact on successive generations of young women. She is the founder and current leader of the Arab Women Solidarity Association, which was closed by government decree in 1991.

Her writings and activism made her the target of public condemnation and even imprisonment. Former President Sadat put her in prison and she was not released until one month after his assassination. El Saadawi was forced into exile in the mid-1990s after state suppression of secular thinkers forced her abroad to work.

She is a winner of several national and international literary prizes and has lectured all over the world. Her books have been translated into 30 languages. She is currently teaching at Scripps College in Claremont, California where she joins us on the line.

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