Political, security tracks inseparable
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/15/2001

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher Wednesday underlined Egypt's position supporting moving on with the security and political talks to realise security and calm in the Middle East region.

Speaking to a joint press conference with UN Chief Kofi Annan before he left Cairo heading for Damascus, Maher said that what the Palestinian and Israeli sides agreed upon as regards the ceasefire is part of the Mitchell report recommendations package, asserting that there was no separation between the two sides.

"The efforts exerted by CIA Director George Tenet as regards the security and ceasefire were linked and parallel to other efforts US peace envoy William Burns made as regards the political aspects, hence, the two aspects are inseparable," he said in answer to a query on the delay of the Egyptian response to Tenet's document.

Maher said the agreement made on Wednesday will be followed by moves at the political level.

"Security and calm cannot be realised as long as the Palestinian people are confronting Israeli measures and practices. What Egypt adhered to was an acceptable position from everybody," he said.

Maher expected measures to be taken to end Israeli practices as soon as possible.

"We will see in the coming days and I expect a move at the political level to strengthen the security arrangements reached and ease maintaining the ceasefire," he said.

Maher called for halting the hostile Israeli practices provided for by the ceasefire declared by the two sides.

On whether the Foreign Minister was frustrated that Annan did not carry a genuine plan to the region and focused only on US ideas, Maher said, "Annan came with his special ideas and not with other ideas. He is making efforts and will visit various states in the region. We welcome his efforts."

Asked on whether Egypt distinguished the ceasefire and halting the Intifada, Maher said the Intifada did not stop because it expressed the strong will of the Palestinian people, who were resisting occupation and will continue to do so.

"But what will stop is the style of such expression of anger felt by the Palestinian people and the Arab peoples as a result of the Israeli practices", he said. The Palestinian people will survive and stick to their rights. The Palestinian Authority is so that the people should get their rights, he said.

Annan, on his part, said the diplomatic efforts and political consultations should proceed to re-build confidence after the two parties accepted the Mitchell Commission recommendations.

"As long as peace was chosen as a strategic option, a commitment should be made to that option, and at the same time we should find a way to counter terrorism and not to allow it to dictate to us how talks should proceed," he said in reply to a query on how new acts of violence would impact the ceasefire.

Annan called on the two parties not to allow any terrorist act here or there, so as not to confuse the political process. The UN secretary General said he works closely with the leaders of the region, the US administration, the European Union and Russia to set up an international alliance in favor of peace in the Middle East region.

On Israel's rejection of the UN role in peace, Annan said he initiated contacts with the Israeli leadership and Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat and will continue with such efforts in the future.

Asked about providing protection for the Palestinian people, Annan said the issue is not raised now at the Security Council.

"The two sides are discussing the ceasefire with Tenet at present, but for the Security Council to play a complementary role we have to focus on starting the peace process," he said. "I don't mean by that I don't agree to providing protection for the Palestinians," he added.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak receives Annan   (6/13/2001)
  UN Secretary, to discuss in Cairo efforts for containing the situation   (6/12/2001)
  No conflict between Egyptian-Jordanian Initiative and Mitchell report   (6/12/2001)

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