Mubarak role in the peace process is indispensable
Egypt-USA, Politics, 6/29/2001

President Mubarak discussed with Secretary of State Colin Powell ways of implementing Mitchell committee proposals as soon as possible in order to overcome the current crisis in the Middle East and to re-launch negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian sides.

During the talks, President Mubarak called for immediate moves to relaunch negotiations on the final status issues.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, US envoy to the Middle East William Burns, Political Advisor to the President Osama AL Baz, attended talks and the US charge d'affaires in Cairo.

Maher, at a joint press conference with Powell held after the about one and half hour meeting, said: "We found during the talks a great understanding on the part of the US secretary of state of our positions and a sure desire to implement the Mitchell recommendations as soon as possible."

Maher said the two sides discussed boosting bilateral relations.

Relations are "good and there are no problems between the two countries," he said.

The two sides want to proceed with such relations, he added.

Maher attended the meeting together with US peace envoy to the Middle East William Burns.

Powell is part, quoted US President George Bush as saying that Mubarak is one of the most important leaders in the area and has an indispensable role in the peace process and other issues of common interest to the two countries.

He described Egypt-US relations as good and that he planned to further strengthen them.

On his tour of the region, Powell said his mission during this tour is to exert his utmost efforts to sustain the peace process.

Six weeks have passed since the Mitchell recommendations were issued and he was keen on pushing the peace process forward in order to put an end to violence.

He also said he is keen to start the cool-off period between the two sides and start implementing the Mitchell recommendations to ensure returning to the table of negotiations.

Powell said he mulled with Palestinian officials, including Leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli officials, means to implement the recommendations, which included a period of ceasefire and reduction of tension between the Palestinians and Israelis as well as a timetable.

Asked about the timetable, Powell said there will be a timetable and some parties expect it to take one year, though the concentration now is on implementing the Mitchell recommendations.

He added that it would be though very difficult for him to expect or to work out a timetable as regards the start of final-status political talks.

Maher denied that Egypt offered new ideas, saying that all parties wanted to implement the Mitchell recommendations based on UN resolutions as soon as possible to proceed towards the final-status talks.

"We have to concentrate today on implementing the ideas floated by the Mitchell commission," he said.

Maher expressed hope to implement Mitchell recommendations as soon as possible in order for calm to prevail in the region and in order to arrive at the measures for a political solution.

Maher was referring to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's proposal in Washington to implement a ten-day observatory period before implementing the Mitchell report, which the Arabs, including Palestinians, rejected.

Maher reaffirmed that he was not after going on with the political and security measures at the same time, but that a political solution should follow the security one.

An expanded meeting was held afterwards, which included Presidential Political adviser Osama AL Baz and US charge d'affaires Rino Harnish.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak on the wake of Powell's arrival in Egypt   (6/27/2001)
  U.S. timetable to implement Mitchell recommendations   (6/26/2001)
  Mubarak review latest developments in the Occupied Territories   (6/25/2001)

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