Peace stand chance if sticking to int'l legitimacy
Regional-Israel, Politics, 2/15/2001

Peace in the Middle East could have a chance if the coming Israeli government under Ariel Sharon came up with proposals in line with international legitimacy resolutions, previous understandings and existing agreements.

Foreign Minister Amr Moussa made the statement as he answered press questions on Wednesday.

Asked about Sharon's call for signing a non-aggression pact between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, Moussa could not comment on what he deemed as unconfirmed ideas that did not represent a clear political plan by Sharon who still had not formed a government.

"The matter will remain pending till Sharon takes over as prime minister and we listen to his policy on peace," Moussa explained.

On Israel's return to the physical liquidation of Palestinian leaderships, Moussa said that the practice casts a dark shadow on the overall Palestinian-Israeli relationship and on prospects for halting violence.

It is meaningless to stop the Palestinian Intifada, with assassinations continuing, Moussa said, adding that every action had a reaction and that the assassination of Palestinian leaderships would open the door to much violence.

Moussa would not bother to comment on a Sharon adviser's threats to use the iron fist, even if this meant the arrest of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat himself.

Moussa reiterated that there would be no return to square one in any coming peace negotiations, unless the target was to set the whole region ablaze.

Moussa said that the Middle East scene and the Iraq issue would top the agenda of his talks with US Secretary of State Colin Powell during the latter's visit to Cairo later this month.

He added that Egypt was in not favour of tightening the sanctions on Iraq. Iraqis have been in the grip of all-out UN sanctions imposed following Baghdad`s 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

Moussa did not rule out contacts with Israel before the new government of Ariel Sharon takes over. "This is likely against the backdrop of the peace process, what will happen and the stands to be taken," he added.

On Syrian efforts to revive Arab boycott of Israel, he said: "A lot of opinions have already been made in this regard in anticipation of Israeli political extremism. The issue has been raised within the Arab League. But no final decision has been made."

Previous Stories:
  Arab League chief lashes out at Israel   (2/14/2001)
  Sharon brings back the ghost of the war   (2/12/2001)
  Arab follow up committee tomorrow in Amman to discuss occupied lands, Intifada   (2/9/2001)

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