Situation in Middle East very dangerous
Egypt, Politics, 10/24/2000

Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa warned that the situation in the Middle East is very dangerous and thus requires extreme caution, accurate analysis and the adoption and implementation of the appropriate decision.

In an interview with a TV program "Chief Editor" late Monday, Moussa said that Egypt will never give up its responsibility towards the Arab world, noting that timing is of great importance.

Asked about the Arab summit resolutions, Moussa said that they will be implemented according to the final communique.

On withdrawing the Egyptian Ambassador in Tel Aviv or at least recalling him for consultations, Moussa said that everything comes at its due time.

Moussa pointed out that the situation had returned to square one after 10 years of efforts to end the Arab-Israeli conflict.

"Egypt has taken a tough stance in support of right and justice over the past ten years," Moussa said.

He added that Egypt was the pioneering country in making peace, but it rejects any deviation from the set course for the good of the Israelis.

Most of the Israelis considered peace of a second-degree importance, said Moussa, highlighting political chaos in Israel.

"Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak should never have put on the General's cap," said Moussa.

"The aim of the Arab Summit was to fashion out a pan-Arab stance and expressing a conviction that the US bias toward Israel has done great harm to the process," he added.

He added that Israel could have never dared to adopt such methods but for the support it receives. "The steering of the process and the way of negotiating should be reconsidered and a stance, with the US also included, should be taken," expounded Moussa.

The Foreign Minister described the statement made by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in which he said that the US stance vis-ý-vis Israel had led to the current situation as strong and accurate. We agree with the statement, he added.

Asked about Israel's description of the summit's resolution as wise. Moussa said this description is typical of a new diplomatic language.

He stressed that there will be no regional cooperation or joint activities and that ties with Israel will be reconsidered.

"The process had started rolling 20 years ago but then it began to collapse and from now on all decisions on negotiations, the multilateral track as well as economic conferences and integration will be implemented," Moussa said.

Moussa made it clear that from now on there are no ties with Israel. "Egyptian-Israeli ties are so weak," Moussa said.

He lauded the summit resolutions and the donation of $ 1 billion in support of the Palestinian people.

Moussa pointed out that more contacts will be carried out to lure the rest of the $ 1 billion. Saudi Arabia had pledged to pay $ 250 million of the said amount.

"A message is being sent to Israel that its policy is not acceptable and the UN Security Council resolution 242 of the land-for-peace formula is the basis for any peace," said Moussa.

On the formation of an Israeli emergency government, Moussa said that such government would not produce anything new.

Moussa voiced satisfaction over Iraq's participation in Arab Summit. He stressed that though the Iraqi issue was not addressed during the Cairo summit, consultations were held in this respect.

"The summit focused on the situation in the occupied territories, the peace process and the mechanism for the regular holding of the Arab summit," stressed Moussa

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak calls the summit to a unified march to face challenges   (10/21/2000)
  Sharm el-Sheikh Summit held under Egyptian conditions   (10/21/2000)
  No alternative to restoring East Jerusalem   (10/20/2000)

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