UN Secretary, to discuss in Cairo efforts for containing the situation
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/12/2001

In the framework of sustained efforts by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak for containing the deteriorating situation in the occupied territories, President Mubarak meets today with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan for discussing means of halting violence and launching political dialogue which prepares for resuming peace talks.

The meeting will also probe international efforts for containing the situation and recommendations of Mitchell Committee.

Meantime, Miguel Moratinos, the European envoy to the peace process said that Egypt plays a vital and important role for achieving peace.

Emerging from his meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, Moratinos said that his talks in Egypt were extremely important, adding they came at a critical time.

He said that halting settlement is the only way for building confidence with Palestinians.

He referred to a number of diplomatic activities that will take place this week, namely the visit to Cairo by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who will hold talks with President Hosni Mubarak, and the visits by US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director General George Tenet, US Middle East Peace Envoy William Burns and EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Javier Solana, in addition to efforts by the EU.

He pointed out to ongoing efforts to reach an agreement regarding the timetable of implementing the Mitchell Commission report.

Describing the European stance as very active, Moratinos said that Europe has become more committed and active regarding the Middle East.

Asked on current discussions and whether they will lead to halting Israeli settlements, the EU official said the issue of settlements was tackled in the Mitchell Commission report.

Freezing settlement activities is the only way to reach confidence-building between the Palestinian and Israeli side.

As for current efforts by the US Administration, Moratinos said that consultations are underway, pointing out to his meeting with Burns during his visit to Israel and Palestinian self-rule areas.

EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Solana holds continued contacts with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, he said, adding that the issue of the Middle East is an important issue on the agenda of the US-European Summit this week.

In continuation of intensive international efforts for containing the situation, EU Foreign Ministers held separate meetings with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian Minister of Planning Nabil Shaath for urging the two sides to observe ceasefire.

Javier Solana, the Coordinator of the Security Policy and Foreign Affairs in the EU said it is important that the two sides abide by ceasefire and implement recommendations by Mitchell Committee.

The two meetings came in preparation for the summit scheduled to be held on Thursday between President George Bush and 15 EU leaders in Sweden.

Official sources said that the summit is due to call on both sides to observe ceasefire and to declare acceptance of Mitchell Committee.

Egypt has protested to Israel over reports carried by Israeli mass media offending Egypt. The Israeli Ambassador in Cairo Zevi Mazel was summoned by the Foreign Ministry which expressed Egypt's protest against the contents of a special programme carried by an Israeli TV channel offending Egypt.

Assistant Foreign Minister Mohamed A1 Oraby handed over the protest to the Israeli Ambassador for conveying it to his government. The Israeli Ambassador was informed of Egypt's rejection of these vituperations.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak receives invitation to attend coming African Summit   (6/9/2001)
  Mubarak's interview with The People's newspaper   (6/6/2001)
  Ebeid: Egypt does not take Israeli threats seriously   (6/6/2001)

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