Iraq's bombardment outraged Arab public opinion
Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 2/19/2001

Egypt's Foreign minister amr Moussa Sunday termed as sudden the recent Anglo-American air strike on Iraq.

"We do not agree with what has happened at all and cannot accept, as a responsible Arab state, striking at Iraq in that manner and outside of international legitimacy," Moussa told the BBC correspondent in Rome.

Moussa denied any prior knowledge of the Egyptian government of the strikes.

Moussa said he knew about the strike from the CNN and President Hosni Mubarak saw the event on television as well.

"A dialogue was expected to open between UN Chief kofi Annan and Iraq in the last week of February, and all messages could have been sent under such a framework," he said, on statements to radio London.

"The diplomatic channels are the appropriate venue for expressing any view point of any state," he said.

Moussa believed that the US message prompted a strong reaction on the part of Arab public opinion, and asserted that the Arab people would remain in a state of anger and resentment at the event.

And on whether contacts were initiated between Egypt and the new American administration on the peace process of the Middle East, Moussa said the peace-related contacts would occur for the first time with US Secretary of State Colin Powell when he comes to the region next week.

He added that other issues would be on the table of negotiations, including the Middle East peace process, the Arab Israeli conflict, the Iraq issue, and issues important to the stability of the region.

Answering a query on his opinion about the unexpected alliance between Israeli Prime Minister-Elect Ariel Sharon and outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Moussa said the test of the upcoming Israeli government is when it presents its policy regardless of who is in power.

"The history of Sharon, Barak, and Former Prime Minister Shimon Peres is known. The inclusion of right-wing hardliners creates an uncomfortable air," he said.

"But it is better to comment on the policy of the incoming government not on the persons," he said.

Moussa, commenting on whether choosing him for the post of Arab League Chief, after the end of Esmat Abdul Maguid's second five-year term, would cocoon him in a restrictive post, said he did not agree.

The Arab League's mission is very important because it arranges for a periodical Arab league summit.

He believed there was a wide horizon for action within the framework of Arab diplomacy in a bid to build a new Arab order.

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Previous Stories:
  Egyptian - Iraqi relations beyond diplomatic representation   (1/18/2001)
  Blockade on Iraq should go no further   (1/15/2001)
  Iraqi vice president visits Cairo   (1/11/2001)

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