E/CN.4/1993/62 page 29 in a firm and resolute manner in accordance with the law and the Constitution and measures are taken to ensure that such attempts are rendered abortive at an early stage. The security policy in this regard is based on the following main principles: The adoption of security measures to deal with the guilty parties, regardless of their religious affiliation. The legality of the measures taken, which must be monitored and approved by official investigators and the judiciary. Constant coordination with popular, executive and religious leaders in order to deal with any incident of intercommunal tension. The adoption of legal security measures to deal with any attempt to disparage or discredit divinely revealed religions (even by one of their adherents or former adherents) in order to ensure respect for the divinely revealed religions in which the Egyptian people have believed for thousands of years. The time-honoured national unity of all the component elements of our people is one of the central pillars of Egyptian society, which has always regarded it with veneration and prevented any violation thereof. The security services take action to deal with any person who attempts to prejudice this unity, regardless of his religion or beliefs." 26. On 25 November 1992, the Government of Egypt, while not replying to allegations concerning specific incidents of religious intolerance, provided a memorandum containing the following observations concerning an article about attacks on Copts in the governorate of Asyut: "On 1 June 1992, the Canadian Montreal Gazette published an article entitled ’The Attacks on the Copts Must Stop’ on the incidents that took place in the governorate of Asyut. According to the article: 1. The Canadian Coptic Association had received information from officials of the Human Rights Association in Egypt to the effect that members of the Coptic community were being attacked and terrorized (13 Christians had been massacred in the town of Asyut). 2. Islamic extremist groups were held responsible for those incidents. 3. Part of the responsibility for the incidents was attributable to the State’s policies and its failure to take appropriate measures to deal with the situation. 4. The State should take resolute measures to halt the acts of violence and terrorism against members of the Coptic community in their Egyptian homeland.