Mubarak - Clinton meeting with Arab Community
Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/30/2000

In the meeting between Presidents Hosni Mubarak and Bill Clinton and the Arab Community in the US, Mubarak said "he is proud of this distinguished constellation of prominent figures who represent the Arab and Egyptian expatriates in the US," said Minister of Information Safwat Al Sherif.

"Mubarak and Clinton emphasized the importance that American Nationals of Arab origins who occupy outstanding positions in the American society should play a role in furthering technological and scientific progress in Egypt and the region's countries so that they would be able to invest and properly employ the tools of globalization," said Sherif.

On his side, Clinton stressed the importance of the distinguished bilateral cooperation between the two leaderships and countries and their persistent endeavors to attain joint goals within the context of strategic partnership.

Bilateral relations have their importance for the two countries, noted Clinton.

Sherif quoted President Mubarak as saying that Egypt, being a central power in the Middle East, has taken the political, social and economic initiative in the region.

"Egypt, as a state of institutions, is opening to the world and its regime is based on democracy, political pluralism, freedom of the press, respect of law, independence of justice, respect of freedom of belief, judiciary and equality," said Mubarak.

"The representatives of the Arab Community in the US raised a string of issues in their meeting", said Sherif.

These issues included; first, the necessity to open the file of nuclear arms in the Middle East and render the region free of all weapons of mass destruction; second, the outcome of a possible Israeli pullout from south Lebanon without a prior settlement with Syria; third, the US contribution in the Egyptian technological projects and info-tech industry; fourth, activating US-Egyptian cooperation within the framework of Mubarak-A1 Gore initiative; fifth, importance of catering for development and independence of economy in Palestine.

Mubarak said his talks with Clinton took up the importance of forging a formula to tone down sufferings of the Iraqi people.

Khalil E. Jahshan , the representative of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) -- the nation's largest grassroots Arab-American organization -- said the meeting was unprecedented as it is the first to take place with the US President in attendance of leaders of a major Arab state.

President Bill Clinton Wednesday described his talks with President Hosni Mubarak as good.

In a press conference at the white House, Clinton said that talks with Mubarak on Tuesday tackled means to push the Mid East peace process forward on the Syrian track.

A meeting between Clinton and Assad was held Sunday to put the Syrian-Israeli peace talks back on track. Clinton voiced his belief that serious efforts are being exerted to break the Syrian-Israeli impasse.

He added that the Syrian President and Israeli Premier Ehud Barak are determined to eliminate obstacles.

"If the current proposals were turned down, others should be suggested by the Syrians on how to address their concerns," said Clinton.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian-US summit tackles ME peace, partnership   (3/28/2000)
  Moussa holds Israel responsible for cold peace with Egypt   (3/27/2000)
  Interview with senior US officials on regional issues: Part 1, Egypt   (3/25/2000)

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