Bill Clinton to Al Ahram: Mubarak¹s role very important
Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/1/2000

US President Bill Clinton highlighted the role of Egypt and President Mubarak in achieving a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians, adding that this role would be extremely important within the coming weeks and months more than anytime before.

"Egyptian and American efforts have really paid off by helping both the Palestinians and Israelis to overcome their snags," Clinton said.

In an interview with Cairo's daily newspaper Al Ahram published on Saturday, Clinton added that there is a historic opportunity to work out an agreement over the final status issues.

Clinton voiced confidence that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Premier Ehud Barak will do their best to reach this agreement by September.

Asked about US stance as to the sufferings of Iraqi people and means to alleviate them, Clinton said that the oil-for-food program is the best means to do so. "The new UN Security Council resolution no. 1284 will introduce additional improvements into the program by calling off the ceiling imposed on oil production that Iraq should abide by to buy its humanitarian needs," Clinton added.

Asked about his talks with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, Clinton described them as extremely constructive talks with Assad where both Syria and Israel now have better concept of the other's stance. "I believe that the ideas that I had put forward on behalf of Premier Barak were serious, detailed and comprehensive," Clinton said.

According to Clinton, the ball now is in Syria's court. The US President voiced optimism that a progress will be made toward a final settlement on the Syrian track.

Asked about Egypt - US relations and their future, Clinton said that differences between Egypt and the US are normal with regard to their regional and international responsibilities. According to Clinton those snags wither away in light of the unique vitality that characterizes relations between the two countries.

Clinton praised Mubarak for creating a strong and organized institutional framework for bilateral relations. Clinton cited economic partnership, military cooperation and strategic dialogue as mechanisms that were created thanks to Mubarak's efforts.

President Clinton said the globalization was the most distinguished characteristic of his Presidential term.

"The Globalization in Egypt and Mid-Eastern countries means dedicating all potentials for development halting the bathes of past and considering the borders outlets for trade, tourism and ideas and not barriers with the others," Clinton added.

"The Globalization means dropping the barriers among the nations, peoples, economics and cultures, noting that the globalization was a result of the technological shift," Clinton said.

"The Globalization in the ME implies the necessity of establishing Peace," Clinton said, an official statement said.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak ends successful visit to Washington   (3/31/2000)
  El-Baz: Egypt supports Syrian demands   (3/31/2000)
  Mubarak - Clinton meeting with Arab Community   (3/30/2000)

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

Search