Mubarak and Arafat discuss the results of Clinton's visit to Cairo
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 8/31/2000

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak reviewed yesterday with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat at Rass Al Tine Palace, Alexandria, the results of the flying visit by US President Bill Clinton to Cairo.

The two leaders held a tete-tete session followed by an expanded session that lasted for 90 minutes.

Foreign Minister Amr Moussa Wednesday said the Egyptian position on Middle East peace was conveyed to the US President.

"It was affirmed that Jerusalem is a highly sensitive issue and that any departure from the international legal framework governing A1 Aqsa or Eastern Jerusalem will trigger grave consequences," he said.

Moussa told reporters after President Hosni Mubarak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat held talks, that besides Jerusalem, the final settlement agenda includes other issues, such as withdrawal of troops, refugees, security, water, all of which are highly crucial.

"The agenda is very "heavy" and overcoming one difficult item, does not necessarily mean overcoming other difficulties automatically," Moussa said.

"Solving one difficulty, from the psychological and political aspects, means opening the door to a better, wider, and calmer discussion for the other difficulties," Moussa pointed out.

"All issues were discussed with the Palestinians before President Bill Clinton's visit on Tuesday and with Israel's acting Foreign Minister, Shlomo Ben-Ami," Moussa said.

All the discussions cannot be settled in one or two sessions and, consequently, talks will continue with all parties in an attempt to help within this context, he added.

Moussa said it is only natural to hold talks with Arafat after Clinton's visit to Cairo to follow up the ongoing discussions with the Palestinian Leader on the issues raised during the visit and our mutual cooperation within the next few days and weeks.

The Foreign Minister said that on Wednesday the discussions dwelt upon possible moves next weeks, including the outcome of Clinton's visit and his readiness to receive Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on September 6 in New York to deliberate on the standing obstacles.

Moussa ruled out reports purporting that Egypt has shifted the focus of its argument from the Arab sovereignty over East Jerusalem to the Holy Mosque.

"Egypt never talked about the Holy Mosque alone, for Jerusalem is one entity that houses the holy sites, and as there is an Israeli sovereignty over West Jerusalem there should be a Palestinian sovereignty over East Jerusalem," said Moussa.

"This is the logic of justice and the core of Resolution 242 and all other Resolutions addressing the issue of Jerusalem," said Moussa, adding that the said reports have apparently been leaked wrongly.

At a certain moment relevant documents will be revealed to prove that these leaks were sheer fabrications because the Egyptian stance is based on handling the whole city that includes the capital, the Palestinian land, East Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa mosque, and the Islamic and Christian sanctities, elaborated Moussa.

Moussa said Egypt's arguments have always been revolving about the Palestinian rights.

Moussa said the date of the declaration of the Palestinian state would be unleashed on Thursday after meeting of the Palestinian Central Council.

Egypt's recognition of the Palestinian state will coincide with the moment of its declaration, remarked the Egyptian top diplomat.

"The Palestinians' right to declare their state is unquestionable and they have their own calculations with regard to the timing of this declaration," added Moussa.

"Egypt, which fully supports Palestinians, never exercised any pressure on them," he said.

Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat and his accompanying delegation left Alexandria after talks with Mubarak and were seen off by the Mediterranean City's Governor Abdul Slam El Mahgoub.

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