Mubarak rallies world support Egyptian-Jordanian initiative
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/9/2001

Egyptian President Mubarak sustained his contacts to contain the deteriorating situation in the region and to rally international support for the Egyptian -Jordanian initiatives aiming at halting violence and resuming negotiations according to the guidelines of the peace process.

In this context, President Mubarak yesterday received in Sharm EL Sheikh Dutch Foreign Minister Van Aartsen and Canadian Foreign Minister John Manley who are currently making a tour of the region.

The two ministers praised efforts by President Mubarak expressing their support for the Egyptian -Jordanian initiative.

Terming the current Middle East situation as very difficult, the Dutch Foreign Minister said after talks with President Mubarak that broad international participation was the most important issue now.

There should be more international participation now than in previous few months, the Europeans, the US, Egypt and Jordan have to think on the same lines, Jozias Van Aartsen told the press, stressing Egypt's key and vital role.

He examined with President Mubarak the Egyptian -Jordanian peace initiative, which he described as an "excellent'' one, adding that it enjoyed the support of the EU, and more important the support of the US.

They also examined the international fact-finding committee report, known as the Mitchell report that he said must be studied by all parties concerned, who are committed to find a way out of the dead end they are facing, he added.

Asked if the Netherlands Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's appeal to hold another Sharm EL Sheikh summit to discuss the Mitchell report, Van Aartsen said any meeting that is held to break the ice will be a step forward.

On whether he thought the European Middle East role remained weak, he said that in fact, EU Commissioner for Foreign and Security Affairs Javier Solana is seeking to play an important role, he has attended the Sharm EL Sheikh summit in October and is a member in the Mitchell committee.

"The EU is committed to the Mitchell report that seeks to put an end to Palestinian-Israeli violence and the current impasse," He said.

The present situation is grave and difficult, he warned.

"The EU will try to put an end to this impasse together with Egypt," he said.

The Dutch Foreign Minister arrived in Cairo Monday coming from Israel, where he met Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his foreign Minister Shimon Peres.

On his part, Canadian Foreign Minister John Manley said his meeting with President was fruitful and useful, indicating that President Mubarak has explained his country's attitude towards the current situation in the region.

He said he thanked President Mubarak for the efforts he is exerting with Jordan in a bid to put an end to the current impasse.

"We are supporting the initiative and to encourage Israelis to act seriously" he said adding that the situation is very complicated.

Though there is a feeling of deep regret, he said that there is a need for finding fair solution.

Answering a question on what he would say to Sharon during their next meeting, he said we urge all parties to halt violence and to enter into peace talks adding Mitchell Committee report is very clear and definitive.

On Canada's attitude towards the convening of a new conference in Sharm EL Sheikh, he said we should encourage parties to talk together as this is better than optimism.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt urges UN to shed more light on Palestinian issue   (5/5/2001)
  Egypt participates in preparations for International Development Conference   (5/3/2001)
  The Intifada: A revolution and reaction to Israeli violence   (5/2/2001)

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