ME peace tops Mubarak's talks in Damascus, Amman
Regional, Politics, 1/24/2000

President Hosni Mubarak said his talks in Damascus and Amman focus on the Middle East peace process notably in the light of the resumption of the Syrian-Israeli negotiations.

President Mubarak told the editors-in-chief of the Egyptian newspapers and the Middle East News Agency MENA he received on Thursday a phone call from Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and they agreed on meeting in Damascus to exchange views within their periodical meetings to review the peace process.

On the Arab-Israeli peace tracks

Mubarak underscored Egypt's keenness on rendering the Syrian-Israeli talks successful on the basis of the restoration of the complete rights of Syria represented in the return to the pre-June 4, 1967 borders.

"Egypt is in constant contact with all parties and could play a role in maintaining peace," said President Mubarak, underlining that the United States has sponsored the negotiations on the Syrian-Israeli track.

Asked on the hurdles impeding the Syrian and Palestinian peace tracks with Israel, Mubarak said "efforts should be exerted to remove all obstacles."

Mubarak said everyone should know that today's war does not put into consideration security based on acquisition of territories as this could be trespassed at the age of sophisticated technology and chemical, nuclear and biological weapons.

"These weapons with their up-to-date technology changed all rules and criteria of wars," President Mubarak said.

The President also voiced hope that Syrian-Israeli negotiations will resume particularly after Syrian and Israeli delegations will head to Washington shortly.

"Cairo is holding contacts with all parties for consultations and exerts all efforts to remove all obstacles," Mubarak noted.

The President said on Sunday he will be discussing results of the two rounds of Syrian-Israeli negotiations held in the United State and the vision of Damascus in the coming stage.

Asked on Egypt's attitude towards the multi lateral negotiations, President Mubarak said there is no objection to attend these negotiations once they are resumed.

President Mubarak said Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat went to the United States to brief President Bill Clinton on the whole situation and to urge him to push Israel to implement the signed agreements which it did not honor.

On the African level

President Mubarak said Egypt will host the Euro-African summit on April 3 and 4 after removing all obstacles impeding the convening of this summit.

Mubarak will chair the summit which will be attended by the 52 members of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the 17 members of the European Union.
On the Situation in Sudan

On the situation in Sudan, President Mubarak said he met with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and is in constant contact with him and they closely follow up the situation.

"Egypt will not send one soldier outside its border and will not interfere in the domestic affairs of other states," President Mubarak stressed.

President Mubarak ruled out reports that Cairo and Washington have different views. On the contrary, he explained, "Egypt and the US have similar views on all issues".

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak - Cook discussions   (1/22/2000)
  Mubarak's Directives to promote Egypt's tourism   (1/22/2000)
  Mubarak meets with Arafat, Moroccan envoy   (1/20/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search