According to Naim, Hosni Mubarak’s foreign policy often was at complete variance with the stand of the people. "He put the country to its knees through his relations with Israel, the betrayal against the Palestinian people and the blockade of Gaza. I think that if we who live in Greece had no good reputation and people’s respect, they would be against us during the war in Gaza. We were ashamed for being Egyptians because of Mubarak's policy on this issue."
Europe and USA are also to be blamed for the duration of the Mubarak regime, according to Naim, who sincerely wonders "what else should we do about Israel and why should all be put down before this country? Why shouldn’t it be like the other countries in the area – a country to respect its neighbors and be respected by them?"
According to Naim, the West argument that " Mubarak protects Egypt from Islamists" is groundless because Islamophobia is being imposed artificially. "If you hold free elections which will happen one day and Islamists win, won’t they be elected by the people? Islamic parties in Egypt are modest and are against violence. They do not intend to turn the country into theocratic state like Iran either."
Naim shares the view of his countrymen that Mohammed ElBaradei is the only person who could unite all the Egyptians and lead to desirable changes in the country. "Mohammed ElBaradei is a pure person. He is educated and his relations with Europe and USA are good. Moreover, his objective is not to seize power but to help the country.
ElBaradei proposes to take over the power together with lawyers and representatives of all parties for six months to one year; to conduct fair presidential and parliamentary elections and what people demand thereafter. This is the best solution for Egypt at the moment."
On the contrary, "Mubarak is a betrayer. His children and his wife are not in Egypt. He is also ready to leave but he does not want to repeat the story of Ben Ali of Tunisia. He wants to go on a trip abroad and then to say he was sick and could not continue to govern. So, the power would shift to Omar Suleiman. And who is he? The chief of intelligence who also supports Israel."
Naim does not believe the situation in Egypt could be changed immediately. He says it would not be serious if Mohammed ElBaradei just withdrew from the agreement at Camp David where Egypt has recognized the Israeli state.
"Mohammed ElBaradei is a respected politician, known worldwide. He is not someone who will go into populism. However, he will have to listen to the voice of people that the blockade of Gaza, of the Palestinian people is inhuman. It is not enough to open the Egyptian border with Gaza only to transport drugs. Not all people there are sick. People there need other things to build their towns and villages."
As for the Greek authorities’ concern that protests in Egypt could cause mass immigration Naim commented that "the Egyptians would hardly immigrate to Greece as they know that the situation is worse than in Egypt.
In recent years, traffickers do not tell immigrants that they will be brought to Greece. They lie to them that they will travel to Italy but keep them here, saying "We will take you to Italy in a few days." No immigrant leaves the country to come to Greece. And this is something I know from the immigrants themselves."
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