Arab, international contacts center on saving peace
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 2/8/2001

Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said that the US role in the Mideast peace process is crucial.

Answering queries by reporters at the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, Moussa said that Egypt's contacts with the new American Administration will take place on upcoming occasions.

Moussa was answering a question on the feelings of Arabs that the new American government lacked interest in the peace process.

Moussa added that he did not believe the prevailing Arab sentiment about the US lack of interest translated the reality of the situation, because the current peace stalemate was grave and threatened the stability of the region.

"The coming Arab and international contacts will focus on rescuing peace," he added.

Moussa said that Arab and international contacts in the coming period will also concentrate on how to counter any negative impact on the peace process.

Asked about the means to save the peace process in light of Wednesday statements by Sharon that Jerusalem would remain unified under Israel's control, Moussa said that any violation of the many signed accords and principles agreed on by all sides, including the land-for-peace principle, would lead to dangerous consequences.

"Perhaps it would be better to literally adopt a wait-and-see attitude when giving any statements," according to Moussa.

"The Egyptian stance is clear: we should build on what has been achieved within the framework of the peace process and seek peace on all tracks," Moussa noted.

On President Hosni Mubarak's recent Arab trip, Moussa said that the President did not discuss the situation in Israel with Arab leaders, but only the peace process itself and bilateral relations between Egypt and each of the Arab countries he visited.

"The next coming Arab summit, which will be held in Amman in March, was on top of the discussions Mubarak held with the Arab heads of state," Moussa said.

"The committee assigned the task of following up the resolutions issued by the latest Arab summit is due to meet in Amman on Saturday as part of preparations for the March Arab Summit," he noted.

Moussa warned of the potential risk involved should Sharon attempt to harm the peace process, adding that the Arab side should wait to see if the Israeli Premier-elect would follow a new course different from that he used to express before being elected to such a responsible post.

"When I talk about peace, I mean peace on all tracks: the Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian," Moussa noted.

On whether he thought Sharon's victory represented a challenge to the coming Arab summit, the foreign minister made it clear that such a challenge involved not only the Arab side but Sharon himself as well.

On whether Egypt would make contacts with the Palestinians following the Israeli elections, Moussa said that Cairo would definitely do so.

Queried about whether the issue of Kuwait-Iraq reconciliation was touched on during Mubarak's visit to Kuwait on Tuesday, Moussa said that the question of clearing Arab atmospheres has always been on the Arab agenda, and would have a place in the discussions of the coming Arab summit.

On whether Egypt attached importance to any other roles other than the US's that of the EU and Arab countries with ties with Israel, for instance, Moussa said that all efforts are necessary as long as they are based on international legitimacy and principles related to solving the conflict.

Answering a question on a possible visit by US Secretary of State Colin Powell to the region, Moussa said that no time has yet been set for such a visit, adding he would contact Powell on that score.

On reports that Powell had directed US diplomats not to use the term 'peace process,Äù and to replace it with "peace negotiations," and whether this was to be regarded as a change in the US Middle East policy, Moussa said that he did not think there was any change, and that both terms were identical.

Moussa urged waiting until Likud Party Leader Ariel Sharon officially assumes power.

"The situation will be bad if Sharon continues to harbour his previous beliefs as an opposition leader," Moussa added.

Previous Stories:
  Sharon's election is an internal matter   (2/7/2001)
  Moussa urges waiting until Sharon officially assumes power   (2/7/2001)
  Mubarak's visit not meant for mediation between Iraq, Kuwait   (2/7/2001)

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