Baz rules out breakthrough in Palestinian-Israeli talks
Egypt, Politics, 9/28/2000

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak's Political Advisor Osama El-Baz, said in an interview with the Cairo-based weekly magazine AL-Mussawwer that the chances to reach a solution or a framework of principles within a short period has slimmed more than before. He ruled out possible breakthrough in the forthcoming Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

"The gap between the two sides is still too wide although a slight progress has been achieved," said Dr. Baz in the interview to be published on Friday.

"The Israeli stance vis-a-vis certain issues was stubborn, a matter that hampered access to a near solution," he said.

"An agreement on the issue of refugees, borders and water was possible" according to . Baz.

"Arabs did not expect that Al-Haram Al-Sherif would pose such a casus belli. The status quo in AL- Haram Al-Sherif reflects a real Palestinian control in spite of the Israeli occupation," said Baz.

Baz branded the Israeli demands to have the greater dominance in Al-Haram Al-Sharif as queer. He rejected a scenario in which the situation would be worse. The whole issue was not tabled before and the Israeli never demanded control over Al-Haram.

There is no objection to giving Israel control over the Jewish Quarter and, Baz believed, Israel showed flexibility over the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem.

"A UN mandate over Jerusalem is out of question," said Baz. He added that sovereignty was only exercised by the states.

"The international community has to admit that the Arabs have as much right in Jerusalem as Israel has," added Baz.

"The implementation of any agreement reached has to be coupled with certain guarantees and authorized by the relevant UN bodies," according to Baz.

"The UN Security Council should guarantee the implementation of the agreement. In case of any violation, the means to resolve it have to be identified, whether by negotiations or arbitration," said Baz.

Baz blamed Israel for the summer clouds that frequently cast shadows on US-Egyptian relations.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt, Bulgaria voice backing to Arab rights, cooperation stressed   (9/27/2000)
  Moussa, Ben-Ami explore peace issues   (9/26/2000)
  Egypt warns against halting Palestinian-Israeli talks   (9/23/2000)

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