Israeli spying on Egypt tampers with peace
Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/23/2000

The Israeli spying activities against Egypt contradict the peace process and violate the peace accords signed by both countries, said Egypt's Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Bassiouni.

"Egypt has an influence on Israel especially in the light of the peace process and Israel wants to know everything about it," said Bassiouni.

"But this should not be an excuse for espionage," he went on to say. On the visits being paid by some Egyptians to their Israeli counterparts and delivering lectures in Israel, Bassiouni said" there is a difference between "dialogue" and "normalization".

In an interview with the London-based Saudi daily of Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, Bassiouni said " The Egyptian people are frowning at normalization because they cannot detach themselves from the ongoing events in the region".

" In the light of the Intifada and the Israeli excessive use of force against Palestinians such a dialogue among peace groups from both sides is almost impossible," he remarked, stressing his support for the Intifada on the condition that life should not come to a halt.

"The Intifada broke out to achieve peace, not to trade violence and its objective is to end the occupation," expounded the diplomat.

"The reasons behind the Intifada were briefly put in two: The first was the hard-line Likud leader Ariel Sharon's provocative visit to Al-Harm Al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and the second was the absolute frustration that had overwhelmed the Palestinians with the peace process frozen and the economy almost paralyzed," elaborated Bassiouni.

Bassiouni said he believed that all parties are seeking peace. Barak is seeking peace as a trump card to win the elections. Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is seeking peace to restore the occupied territories. US President Bill Clinton is seeking peace to bask in his record and history prior to the expiry of his term in office.

Bassiouni ruled out Egypt has ever or will ever pressure the Palestinians in the peace negotiations. "However," he added, "Egypt is not a mediator, but it is rather a partner in one camp with the Palestinians. Bassiouni pointed out that any attempt from the Israeli side to propose an alternative for Arafat would be a grave mistake. Arafat is the only leader who can conduct the playing in Palestinian street to some extent."

"Arafat is the leader who can clinch a peace agreement and is the only one who is able to sign and implement such an agreement," added the Ambassador.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt stresses full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan, Jerusalem   (12/22/2000)
  Peace with Israel conditional on ceding Arab territories   (12/19/2000)
  Mubarak holds Israel responsible for obstructing ME peace   (12/18/2000)

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