Egypt asserts Palestinians' right to statehood
Egypt, Politics, 5/1/2000

"Egyptian -Libyan efforts come in the context of the national comprehensive dialogue and solution of the Sudanese problem through the Egyptian-Libyan initiative," Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said.

"A date is being set for Egyptian-Libyan-Sudanese meeting", Moussa added, pointing out that the joint initiative meeting would be held in Cairo the following week.

On the Middle East peace process, Moussa said Egypt is following with interest developments on the Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian tracks.

On his Saturday's talks with US Under Secretary of State Edward Walker, Moussa said "These involved continued consultation on the Middle East peace process".

"Egypt is also sustaining consultations with the Arab parties," he added.

Asked about the date for the three-way Egyptian, Syrian and Saudi foreign ministerial meeting in Damascus in response to an invitation from Syrian FM Farouk Al-Shara, Moussa said the meeting could take place either during the current or next week.

Moussa highlighted the importance of the coming Damascus meeting in view of its taking up all aspects of the regional peace process and inter-Arab coordination in this respect.

On Sunday's meeting in Eilat between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, Moussa said the Eilat meetings come in resumption of the Washington meetings between the two sides to address issues listed on the final-status negotiations agenda.

With regard to the latest developments in investigations into the crash of an EgyptAir plane off the US east coast last year, and whether there was some sort of "deal" or settlement reached, Moussa denied that any talk had taken place between the Egyptian and American sides within the framework of such a deal or settlement.

Moussa added that investigations were still continuing, a little bit slowly.

Back to the regional peace process and Israel's recent proposals on putting off negotiations on Jerusalem, refugees and settlement, Moussa said "the Palestinian side has every right to reject such delay, said Moussa.

"The whole matter must end in some settlement, or else it would not end at all," he added.

"Shelving any issue would neither serve the Palestinian track nor the entire peace process," asserted Moussa.

On recent Israeli signals about cold-shouldering the Syrian track, Moussa made it clear that none of the Syrian, Palestinian and Lebanese tracks should be ignored, as strenuous efforts were underway to reach a comprehensive settlement.

"Neglecting any track would detract from the comprehensiveness of a solution," he added.

Asked about Israel's rejection of September 13 as the date for declaring Palestinian statehood, Moussa said it would be difficult to stop or block the creation of a Palestinian State, especially in view of the fact that all have now accepted the idea, with Arab states supporting the Palestinians' right to statehood.

"It is important for Palestinian-Israeli negotiations to succeed in order for the Palestinian state to be established in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem," he said.

Moussa went on to assert that other issues involving Palestinian refugees, Jewish settlements and further Israeli troop redeployment should be addressed.

Assessing the current meetings in New York on revising the Nuclear Non-Proliferation, Moussa voiced hope that some progress would be made in order for the treaty not to lose its credibility.

Speaking of the Treaty's impact on the Middle East, Moussa said rendering the Middle East an area free of weapons of mass destruction would greatly contribute to establishing peace and justice in the region.

Previous Stories:
  Walker seeks Mubarak's views on regional issues   (4/29/2000)
  Moussa: The negotiation with the Sudanese opposition promise good things   (4/27/2000)
  Egyptian-American efforts for achieving breakthrough on Palestinian track   (4/24/2000)

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