EGYPT: To Accept Fate

Cairo's latest political joke: President Anwar Sadat was having trouble finding a new Premier to replace newly ousted Aziz Sidky. When he offered the job to yet another prospect, the nominee protested, "Anwar, Anwar, what have I done to you to make you hate me so much?"

Sadat did indeed have great difficulty replacing Harvard-educated Premier Sidky. According to foreign observers with good connections in Cairo, Sadat offered the job to as many as four Egyptian politicians, who wasted no time turning it down as an impossible assignment. Last week Sadat finally announced his choice: Anwar Sadat. "I have reached a decision," he said, "to accept my fate."

War Cry. Explaining his decision in an impassioned television and radio speech, Sadat said that Egypt was entering a new stage of "total confrontation" with Israel. He attacked the U.S. for continuing to supply Israel with arms. Western observers, however, felt that Sadat's new war cry carried no bigger threat than did such previous Egyptian slogans as "year of decision," "total preparedness" and "total battle." What seemed more significant in his speech was an unexpected admission of "shortcomings" within Egypt.

Sadat did not specify the shortcomings, but Egypt has plainly been troubled in recent months by soaring food prices, hard-currency shortages, student unrest and a variety of other annoying domestic problems. In the circumstances, it was no surprise that Sadat decided to remove Premier Sidky. What was surprising was Sadat's decision to take on the unpopular job himself. "It's a strange move for such a shrewd politician as Sadat," mused a high-ranking U.S. State Department official. Washington sees one possible explanation: President Sadat is not prepared to serve as Premier for long but is determined to shake up his government's ponderous machinery with a short dose of direct daily supervision.

Sadat lent credence to this theory by quickly reshuffling his Cabinet and lecturing it on the need for efficiency. He gave all his ministers until May to introduce some fundamental reforms in their departments. Enlarging the Cabinet from 31 to 37 members, he added two generals in an effort to apply some military efficiency to civilian affairs. He also named four Deputy Premiers who will serve as heads of superagencies. One is Abdel Aziz Hegazi, a tough financial expert and advocate of austerity, who will oversee the treasury and economics. Another is Mohammed Abdel Kader Hatem, who will control culture and information and sit in for Sadat as acting Premier when that becomes necessary. Next to Sadat, Hatem figures to be the most important man in the new Egyptian lineup.

But nobody has gained in power so much as Sadat himself. Later last week he added to his roles of President, Premier and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces the title of Military Governor General of Egypt. As such, he can proclaim martial law at will. The move seemed a clear warning that Sadat is in a tougher mood and will brook no more demonstrations by students or other dissidents.