Egypt won't host quadrilateral summit
Egypt, Politics, 10/12/2000

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak said Egypt apologized for not hosting the quadrilateral summit. President Mubarak, during the second meeting with ministers of political group yesterday, said Egypt welcomes US moves at the presidential level to contain the deteriorating situation.

"Egypt also welcomes the US President's visit at any time," Mubarak said.

Minister of Information Safwat AL Sherif said President Mubarak continued with the group at yesterday's meeting discussion and review of developments of condition in occupied territories which are growing worse as a result of continued Israeli aggressions on Palestinian civilians in the Gaza strip and the West Bank.

Safwat AL Sherif said President Mubarak discussed latest contacts which took place in this respect, foremost among which were the contacts which took place with US President Bill Clinton which were continued over several telephone calls which took place in the past days and also a message which President Mubarak sent to the US President about Egypt's point of view as regards the proposal to hold a four-way summit.

AL Sherif said that in this respect Egypt sees that before a four-way summit is held, a proper climate should be provided to ensure its success. such a climate can be realized only when definite steps are taken:

To withdraw Israeli forces from Palestinian territories.

To stop and withdraw warnings and threats directed to the Palestinian authority or any Arab country.

There should be a pledge or an agreement not to repeat aggression on the Aqsa Mosque and AL Haram AL Sharif. Such aggression took place when Ariel Sharon forced his way into the Aqsa Mosque.

There should be a readiness to accept setting up an international committee to investigate circumstances which led to this deterioration and declare the results of its investigations to world and Arab public opinion.

The four-way summit should open the door once again to return to the negotiating table over East Jerusalem and AL Haram AL Sharif within the framework of international legitimacy and resolutions issued in this respect.

AL Sherif said that it is important that Israel accepts these points. If Israel does not accept them, then Egypt would apologize for not holding a four-way summit on its land.

But , at the same time, Egypt welcomes any American move at the presidential level to contain the situation.

Egypt welcomes a visit by the US President to Egypt at any time outside the framework of a four-way summit.

Safwat El Sherif said President Mubarak also discussed at the meeting developments related to making preparations and arrangements for the Arab summit on October 21. All the facts will be placed before the Arab summit so that Arab leaders may take decisions in the light of their discussion of all conditions in the Middle East.

President Mubarak listened to a report on a message which he had sent to Syrian President Bashar AL Assad which was conveyed by Foreign Minister Amr Moussa within the framework of the keen desire of President Mubarak to exchange views on possibilities of holding a four-way summit.

President Mubarak was keen to hold consultations with a number of Arab brothers on the principle of holding a four-way summit.

The President's message to Syrian President Bashar AL Assad dealt with arrangements to hold the Arab summit and its agenda.

President Mubarak presented the results of contacts which took place recently with king Abdullah of Jordan and also a telephone call which the President received from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan who was on a visit to Gaza and Israel in an attempt by the UN to defuse the explosive situation which was getting worse.

Sherif stressed that Egypt will not hold on its land a four way summit in the light of the deteriorating situation and in an atmosphere which is not ready. goodwill should be shown and holding a summit should be preceded by the following :

Israel should withdraw from Palestinian territories.

Israel should withdraw its threats to Arab countries and the Palestinian.

Aggression on sacred land should not be repeated.

There should be a readiness to accept an international committee to give the facts to world and Arab public opinion .

The four-way summit should open the door before the issue of peace.

He said that President Mubarak sees that the root of these conditions is that East Jerusalem and AL-Haram AL-Sharif should be under Palestinian sovereignty. If the core and crux root of the situation is not dealt with, the situation will continue to be explosive.

Sherif said that Egypt would have welcomed a four-way or five-way summit to produce important results. But it should be preceded by reality on the ground. Otherwise it would be a mere media demonstration.

President Mubarak stressed that the leaders of Israel should reconsider their positions carefully and with wisdom away from arrogance in order not to expose the area to explosion the extent of which nobody could predict.

Previous Stories:
  Diplomatic moves to stop Israeli violence against Palestinians   (10/11/2000)
  October 11 , 2000 Egypt rules out summit unless Israel takes steps   (10/11/2000)
  October 11 , 2000 Egypt rules out summit unless Israel takes steps   (10/11/2000)
  Mubarak plays basic, pivotal role in containing situation   (10/11/2000)
  Moussa: Sharm el-Sheik summit is excluded, Arab summit is next   (10/11/2000)

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