12 Feb 2009

HIS EXCELLENCY HANI ABDEL KADER AHMED SHASH
AMBASSADOR OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT
12 Jalan Rhu, off Jalan Ampang Hilir
55000 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia.

Dear Sir,

OPENING OF RAFAH CROSSING

On behalf of COMPLETE, we write in with a sense of anger, grief, desperation, helplessness and frustration by the recent and current events in Gaza, but with the hope and determination that the world has finally awakened to the realization that a just and comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian tragedy is urgently required.

COMPLETE stands for COALITION OF MALAYSIAN NGOs AGAINST PERSECUTION OF PALESTINIANS, a coalition of more than 100 NGOs that cuts across racial, religious and political lines in Malaysia. We are not aligned with any Palestinian political faction, preferring to deal with the Palestinians as a united people. We intend to work closely with foreign NGOs with similar objectives, and together as a worldwide united front of NGOs, act as an effective pressure group to governments, pushing for a speedy creation of a free and independent state of Palestine.

As an immediate neighbor with a common border with the Gaza Strip, Egypt has the responsibility of ensuring access of humanitarian aid, essential medical supplies, relief and medical personnel to help the Palestinian people in the latest deadly episode of Israeli aggression.

As with other concerned citizens of the world, including the people of Egypt, we express our outrage and disgust that the government of Egypt to this day remains adamant in not opening the Rafah crossing beyond token measures, such that large quantities of essential items are unable to be delivered to the victims and relief personnel have great difficulty in entering Gaza. It is shocking beyond comprehension that while the people of Gaza are being starved and bombed the government of Egypt would rather allow massive quantities of food items brought from around the world to rot instead of allowing them entry into Rafah.

We therefore urge the government of Egypt to immediately open the Rafah crossing for the above purposes. We also urge the government of Egypt to allow entry of war victims to Egypt and facilitate their travel documents for further medical treatment in third countries, including Malaysia, where pledges have been made to treat these victims.

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OPENING OF RAFAH CROSSING

Secondly, we hold the government of Egypt directly responsible for the current escalation of persecution and aggression on the people of Palestine. Without Cairo’s subservience to Tel Aviv and Washington, the economic blockade and military aggression on the people of Gaza would have been difficult for Israel to carry out. Cairo’s policies and actions betray the expressed sentiments of the people of Egypt and the Islamic people in general, eroding the position of Egypt as one of the cultural and intellectual centres of the Muslim and Arab world. We therefore urge the government of Egypt to cut off diplomatic, economic and cultural ties with Israel in line with the common policy of the great majority of the OIC until a just and lasting resolution of the plight of the Palestinian people is achieved.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

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Adnan Mohd Tahir, Chairman
On behalf of COMPLETE

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Dr Mazeni Alwi, Chairman
Government Relations Committee