Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem, impossible
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/27/2001

In an interview with the German TV network, broadcast Monday, President Mubarak ruled out any possibility for an outbreak of a regional war but warned that terrorism is the more dangerous.

He gave examples of the suicide bombings in coaches, the bombing of the Israeli embassy in Argentina, the Egyptian embassy in Pakistan, the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es-Salaam, the bombing of US forces' residence in Saudi Arabia and the attack on the US destroyer Cole in Yemen.

Mubarak reiterated call for resuming negotiations in order to avoid the threat of terrorism.

Asked who can fill in the vacuum created by the US administration's detaching of itself from the Middle East peace efforts, Mubarak said that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had visited Washington and it seems that he had convinced US officials that he can negotiate but violence should stop first.

"The administration believed that the Palestinians are the aggressors while the Israelis are not," said Mubarak.

He added that he had explained the situation honestly during his visit to the US and noted that he seeks peace and stability.

"Both parties should take steps, not Palestinian President Yasser Arafat alone," Mubarak noted.

"The Israelis should take one bold step to evade any violence," said Mubarak, voicing his belief the US has understood it clearly...The US should seek to ease the situation for an objective re-launch of negotiations and the Europeans should be more effective," said Mubarak.

He pointed out that regional peace and stability directly affects Europe due to its geographic location.

Asked whether Germany could play and roles such as mediation, Mubarak said that Germany, as a member state of the European Union (EU), should exert much effort for a just solution, which is the only way for regional stability to be maintained.

He described Germany as a very important country and a member-state of the EU. Mubarak welcomed any mediation by Schroeder but highlighted the need for coordination in mediations.

Asked about possible terrorist attacks on tourist attractions in Egypt, Mubarak said terrorism is a universal phenomenon and many German tourists come to Hurghada, Luxor, Aswan and Sharm el- Sheikh.

He underlined that Egypt has taken all needed procedures to protect tourists against terrorist attacks.

Mubarak asserted that outbreak of violence in the Palestinian territories was triggered by the provocative visit of Ariel Sharon to Al Haram Al Sharif and that ever since violence has been rampant in the region.

The President said that he expected Sharon, upon assuming the helm of power in Israel, to take the necessary measures to have violence ground to cessation but he, instead, tightened the grip on Palestinian towns and villages.

"The besieging the Palestinian people, driving workers idle, banning children from going to schools and preventing supply of food and medicine to the Palestinians, Sharon pushed them to carry out, out of despair, 'terrorist' operations such as the one on sunday," said Mubarak.

"What do you expect of a person who has no job and is unable to provide bread for his children and family or even medicate them," asked the Egyptian leader, asserting that such a person might blow himself up killing others with him.

"Sharon should have taken this in consideration," Mubarak said.

"The first step should be taken by Sharon via easing the heat on Palestinian towns and villages and giving people a chance to 'breath'," he added.

Mubarak said that Sharon was given enough time, by Arabs, to show keenness on the peace process especially that he has seen the destruction caused by war but he, instead, began to splutter threats to neighboring countries including Egypt.

"The Egyptian public opinion was infuriated by threats raved by one of Sharon's ministers on blasting the high dam and reoccupying Sinai and instead of discussing prospects of peace the Egyptian are start asking questions about how prepared is the Egyptian army to defend the national soil," said Mubarak.

Mubarak emphasized that he was, is and will continue to be keen on backing the peacemaking drive for the best interest of the peoples of the region.

On whether Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was mistaken in turning down the Clinton peace proposals, Mubarak stressed that the proposals contained positive and negative aspects but neither Arafat nor any other Arab leader could accept Israeli sovereignty over Al Haram Al Qudsi.

"No Arab Muslim or Christian would keep silence to an Israeli control over Al Haram and this would further increase extremism and terrorism," he said.

If the proposals were tabled nine months before the end of Clinton's term, the two sides would have eventually reached an agreement, said the Egyptian leader. President Hosni Mubarak underlined that the issue of Al Quds (Jerusalem) is one of the most complicated problems.

The Egyptian leader stressed that east Jerusalem and Al Haram Al Sharif were occupied in 1967 and fall within the mandate of the UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338.

"If peace is really sought, al Quds and al Haram should be returned to the Palestinians and there should be procedures guaranteeing the freedom of worship to followers of other religions," said Mubarak, asserting there is no other way.

Asked why he has been, over the past two decades, so interested in the peace process despite all obstacles, the Egyptian leader said the objective is to lay down bases for peace and stability in the region.

President Mubarak said in press statements before entering the residence of the German chancellor for a dinner banquet hosted in his honor that he was fully convinced of the importance of reactivating European role in the Middle East.

He said Europe, which is close to the region, should play a tangible role towards current events in the region.

Previous Stories:
  Sharon, to blame for deterioration of situation   (4/23/2001)
  Egypt rallies support for Arab-Islamic draft resolution on Palestine   (4/18/2001)
  Palestinian government ready to do its utmost for halting violence   (4/18/2001)

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