Mubarak's US visit underlines depth of Egyptian-US relations
Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/21/2000

US Ambassador in Cairo Daniel Kurtzer said Mubarak's forthcoming visit to the United States confirms depth of existing relations between the two and takes new steps for bolstering bilateral cooperation in the fields of investment and technology transfer.

Ambassador Kurtzer said President Mubarak would inspect some sophisticated technology industries in the State of Virginia which the United States is keen to transfer to Egypt.

He also said the visit will help boost partnership relations among industrial establishments in the two countries.

He expressed the US willingness to increase the volume of US investments and trade with Egypt in general.

During a press conference he held yesterday at the US embassy in Cairo, Ambassador Kurtzer hailed President Mubarak's role in pushing forward the peace process mainly the Palestinian-Israeli track saying the Middle East peace process would be given top priority during talks between the Egyptian and US leaders. He added US-Egyptian talks would touch on the peace process on the various tracks, the situation in the Horn of Africa, Iraq and the Sudan. He said there is much détente in the Egyptian-US standpoint towards the Sudan.

Kurtzer said that US Defense Secretary William Cohen is expected to visit Egypt in April. Hailing the US-Egypt military assistance which dates back to 20 years, Kurtzer said that Washington is now taking part in developing the Egyptian armed forces.

"The US military assistance to Egypt hits so far $30 million," said the Ambassador. "The US aid evolves military training and joint war games "Bright Star" which takes place every two years," he added.

Kurtzer denied that the US provides Israel assistance to entice it to make a breakthrough in the Middle East peace.

"In order to realize peace, Israel has recently taken difficult decisions which could affect its security. Thus the US gives it the needed guarantees to secure and protect the country," the ambassador told the news conference.

"Israel, however, is not the sole strategic partner to the US as both Egypt and Jordan are regarded as partners as well to the US in the region," he added.

"Not all the parties in the region accept so far the peace logic and there are still several problems including some in the Gulf," he said.

"The Palestinian-Israeli negotiations are to resume in Washington Monday if matters go as scheduled," Ambassador Kurtzer further said.

"Although President Hosni Mubarak does not directly participate in the peace negotiations, yet US President Bill Clinton is looking forward to talks with President Mubarak on the Middle East peace process," he added.

"The resumption of peace negotiations is considered a new success this year and an addition to the success made in the Sharm El-Sheikh summit which helped the Palestinians and Israelis reach an agreement," he expounded.

"If both sides abide by the critical goals of the coming phase, they can reach a framework agreement on the final status and the third phase of Israeli redeployment.," said Kurtzer     Regarding the Syrian-Israeli peace track, Ambassador Kurtzer said that both sides separately said that they have contacts although there are no formal talks at present.

"The question now is the extent of progress which could be realized," he added.

"The coming US elections will not have a negative impact on the different tracks of the peace process," Kurtzer added.

Asked on the Middle East and North Africa economic conference to be hosted by Egypt, Ambassador Kurtzer said that the recent statements made by Foreign Minister Amr Moussa demonstrated Egypt's intentions to hold such conference. "What remains is the agreement on the date and the agenda of this conference," he added.

"The current situation in Sudan may be high on the agenda of Mubarak-Clinton talks in Washington," said the US Ambassador.

Reviewing the US-Egyptian partnership, Ambassador Kurtzer said it involves the detailed dialogue on the economic reforms and the proposed plans to make Egypt a hub for attracting foreign investments, bolstering cooperation in the field of science and technology and environment. "Education and developing human resources is another aspect of the partnership," he added.

Previous Stories:
  Moussa asserts importance of Mubarak's visit to Washington   (3/20/2000)
  Moussa in Washington today   (3/17/2000)
  On the meeting between Mubarak and Clinton   (3/16/2000)

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