What is Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s vision of reform?

In his opening address, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak only vaguely touched on the political upheavals that have rocked his country over the last few weeks, portraying Egypt as a nation on the road to economic and political reform. He defended the slow pace of change. [21]He says his vision of reform is based on a gradual, prudent approach that ensures its sustainability rather than, in his words, unduly hastening its course, thus leading to chaos and the death of the process itself. [22]Egypt’s hosting of the World Economic Forum has been partly overshadowed by a major crackdown on dissent that preceded it. Over the last month, police have repeatedly attacked and beaten peaceful demonstrators, who took to the streets to support two pro-reform judges. Hundreds of activists remain in prison. [23]The group Human Rights Watch has urged business leaders at the World Economic Forum to make it clear to Mr. Mubarak that suppression of dissent will alienate investors as well as activists.