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Sadat to deal with the larger-scale
considerations of national and
international policy. Vice President
Mubarak quickly gained a reputa–
tion for thoroughness, precision
and- rare in Egypt-punctuality.
For more than six years, Mr.
Mubarak had the opportunity to
closely observe President Sadat at
work. "1 have learned a great deal
from him ... a man with more than
40 years of experience in politics,"
he has admitted.
While Mr. Sadat conferred with
foreign leaders or delivered
speeches, Mr. Mubarak customarily
sat nearby, silently taking notes.
When Mr. Sadat had prívate, one–
on-one meetings, as at Camp David,
he later briefed Mr. Mubarak in
minute detail. In Hosni Mubarak's
words, "There was nothing he did or
said that 1 did not know."
Vice President Mubarak often
filled in for President Sadat at offi–
cial functions and presided over
Cabinet meetings. He was also dis–
patched by Mr. Sadat on wide-rang–
ing and important missions abroad.
Foreign officials who have dealt
with Mr. Mubarak as Vice President
speak highly of bis abilities. Adjec–
tives often used to describe him
include frank, self-assured, at ease,
warm, dignified and cautious.
Israelis who know him respect bis
pol itical acumen and detailed grasp
of the issues.
Narrow Escape
With the tragic assassination of
Anwar Sadat last October, Mr.
Mubarak swiftly assumed the posi–
tion for which he had been so care–
fully groomed. A startled world,
wondering what would become of
Egypt, quickly discovered that the
real istic and foresighted Anwar
Sadat had made ample preparation
for the succession.
The man sitting at President
Sadat's right in the reviewing stand,
the news media revealed, was, in
fact, bis long-prepared and personal–
ly chosen heir, Hosni Mubarak. He
had narrowly escaped death, emerg–
ing from the melee with no more
than a bandaged left hand.
President Mubarak moved quick–
ly and decisively to deal with the cri–
sis. Within hours he answered the
that governments around
the globe were so anxíously asking:
"Will Sadat's policies be contin–
ued?" The peace process initiated
by President Sadat would without
question continue, the new Presi–
dent swift ly reassured the world's
· press.
That reassurance was repeated in
Mr. Mubarak's eulogy of Anwar
Sadat: "In the name of the great
departed [President Sadat] and the
name of the people, its constitu–
tional institutions and its armed
forces," he stated, "I declare that
we will honor al! international char–
ters, treaties and commitments
which Egypt has concluded. Our
hands will not cease to push the
wheel of peace in pursuance of the
mission of the departed leader."
President Mubarak told one
Israelí reporter, "Go tell your
people, don't worry."
Personal Style
Those who have known President
Mubarak-both in Egypt and
abroad-harbor no doubts about
bis sincerity. He clearly wants
peace as much as Anwar Sadat
wanted it. But most observers agree
that bis personal style of leadership
will differ from bis predecessor's.
He is expected, for example, to
be more outspoken than Mr. Sadat
in bis criticism of Israel's policy on
settlements in occupied territories
and of lsrael's stance in the ongoing
Palestinian autonomy negotiations.
For the moment, though, the pri–
mary need is to preserve continuity,
avoiding sudden change or dramat–
ic new initiatives.
lt
is inconceiva–
ble, however, that a man of Mr.
Mubarak's abilities would fail, in
time, to leave bis own personal
imprint on Egyptian policy.
One area where change might
eventually be seen is in Egypt's
relations with the rest of the Arab
world. President Mubarak's friend–
ship with Saudi Crown Prince
Fahd could, for example, lead to a
breakthrough in Egyptian-Saudi
relations. That cou ld lead to
improved relations with the more
moderate Arab countries that
broke with President Sadat over bis
peacemaking with Israel.
Improvcd relations with the
Soviet Union is another long-range
possibility. Following the murder
of Mr. Sadat, the Kremlin lost no
time in offering to start negot ia–
tions with Cairo to repair damaged
ties. President Mubarak's reply:
"We are not against good relations
with any country, but we'll never
agree that any country could inter–
fere with our internal atrairs." In
otber words, better relations with
Moscow would be welcomed- if
the Russians keep out of Egypt's
domestic affairs.
This is not to suggest a potential
reversa! of Egypt 's pro-Westero
orientation. President Mubarak–
avowedly anticommunist- is
known to favor a strong American
presence in the Middle East. But
he is also pragmatic enough to take
advantage of whatever opportuni–
ties tbat tTiight arise to strengthen
Egypt's strategic position- includ–
ing negotiating with Moscow.
Famlly Man
President Mubarak is married and
the father of two grown sons. His
wife of 21 years, Susan, met ber bus–
band when he was a pilot in tbe air
force. They married when she was
17.
Like Jihan Sadat, Susan Muba–
rak is of both British and Egyptian
descent. Jihan Sadat's mother was
English; Susan Mubarak's was
Welsh. Also like Mrs. Sadat, Mrs.
Mubarak plays an active role in
promoting education, charity en–
deavors and women's causes. They
have both been criticized by con–
servative Moslems who see their
work as contrary to a traditional
Islamic woman's role.
Susan Mubarak is studying for
her master's degree in sociology at
the American University in Cairo
(AUC), wbere she received ber
bacbelor's degree in 1977. Tbe
Mubaraks' sons, Gamal, 21, and
Alaa, 19, also study at AUC.
The new First Lady is described
by one friend as "a delightful lady"
with "a ready smile anda sparkle" in
her eyes. Another friend calls her
"graceful, intelligent and witty."
lmposlng Agenda
President Mubarak has inherited a
host of problems not solved during
the administration of Anwar Sadat.
Few leaders in the modero history
(Continued on page 45)