Middle East situation volatile, but has chances for the better
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 12/11/2000

Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa described the situation in the Middle East region as full of changes and explosion catalysts, but has some vistas which, if opened, might lead to a change for the better.

Moussa added that the intention of all parties to realize peace as soon as possible through a comprehensive settlement is one of the most important windows that might change things to the better, provided that such a settlement is just and within the international legitimacy.

Speaking to reporters Sunday, Moussa said that the ongoing intensive contacts on the status quo aim at prompting Israel to reconsider its situation which is not acceptable.

Moussa added that the key to a solution for this serious situation is the implementation of Sharm El-Sheikh understandings and pulling out the Israeli troops until the current tension is removed. "The Middle East peace process should be rebuilt," he added.

Moussa said that logical presumptions in accordance with the actual reality point to concern in Israel, and preoccupation in the US over the presidential elections, which might make things more compicated for the Israeli party to come up with ideas to push the peace process ahead.

"These are consumed pretexts," he said, adding these elections are based on the notion that either peace or no peace.

Moussa noted that it is for everybody's own hope that there should be a just peace, and hence the mechanism of the whole process dictates working or achieving comprehensive peace.

Moussa said the Damascus meeting would provide a good opportunity for discussing current events in the region and the impact of Israeli threats on the entire region.

He added that the follow-up committee agreed at its meeting after the Cairo Summit on holding four meetings before the coming Arab summit slated for Amman in March.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa highlighted the importance of holding the meetings of the Arab follow-up committee set up by the Arab Summit Conference held recently in Cairo.

Addressing the opening session of the committee in Damascus late Sunday, Moussa said the meeting will consider several issues pertaining to the follow-up process of the Arab Summit resolutions as well as holding further consultations.

He pointed out that the concept of follow-up committee is new to joint Arab action as resolutions passed by Arab summits used to be implemented and followed up by individual states.

"According to this principle it has been decided to hold the meeting every month as of the end of the latest Cairo Summit till the coming one in Amman in March," Moussa said.

Moussa pointed out that the committee will follow up the latest developments of the Palestinian Intifada (uprising), the brave stance of the Palestinian people and ways of furthering a fair and an all-out peace rather than a distorted and unjust one.

The meeting will also probe resolutions of Arab Finance Ministers and the best ways of managing the Jerusalem and Intifada funds set up by the latest Arab Summit and review report of Arab League Secretary General on meetings of the Arab Economic and Social Council.

Previous Stories:
  Arab follow-up committee to conduct peace process   (12/9/2000)
  Egypt keen on seeing UN peacekeeping potentials beefed up   (12/2/2000)
  Moussa: 8-member committee meets in Damascus on November 10   (12/1/2000)

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