Egypt rejects Israeli government's policies towards Palestinians
Egypt-Israel, Politics, 8/2/2001

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher on Wednesday received Henry Siegman, Head of the Middle East Program at the US Foreign Relation Council.

Following The meeting, Siegman said he discussed with Maher the deteriorating Middle East conditions.

The continued cycle of violence makes it impossible for Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to fulfill Israelis demands, Siegman said, warning that the region might be heading towards the point of no return.

Siegman said he discussed with Maher what had to be done by all sides to get away from the abyss.

On whether he was optimistic about the possibility of achieving something positive with Ariel Sharon in power in Israel, Siegman said officials would have to make initiatives and exert all possible efforts to try to return the peace process to its rational track.

Meanwhile, Maher said Egypt rejects the Israeli government's policies towards the Palestinian people.

"President Hosni Mubarak holds intensive contacts with world leaders to put an end to the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian peoples," said Maher.

Addressing a youth meeting, Maher said that the situation in the Middle East is grave.

"At the time when the Arabs recognize the existence of the Israeli people, the Israelis, including clergymen, have not recognized the Palestinian people yet," Maher said.

"We see assassination operations targeting the Palestinian people and members of the Palestinian people Authority chosen by this people. So we are facing a very difficult situation."

He called on Israel to withdraw from all occupied territories so that peoples of the regional would start the development and progress process.

Maher called on Israel to accept a full sovereign Palestinian state with Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital.

"Egyptian foreign policy contributes to the nation's development and welfare through making the best use of foreign relations for the good of the country," said Maher.

"Palestine tops Egyptian priorities and efforts for settling the situation in Sudan are for the good of national security," Maher said.

He added that an Egyptian-Libyan initiative on forging national reconciliation in Sudan has been accepted by various parties in Sudan and there are contacts for the coming step.

"Egypt is not a satellite country", said Maher. "It shares close cooperation ties with Mediterranean countries, Russia and the US." He added that on assuming office, Mubarak has planned for balanced ties with all countries of the world.

The official described relations with the US as "very strong" and ties with Russia as balanced. "However, there are points of disagreement with the US," said Maher.

Previous Stories:
  Maher denies Egypt taking any measures against Israel   (7/28/2001)
  Egypt's FM rules out the return of the Egyptian ambassador to Israel   (7/28/2001)
  Egyptian FM criticizes Israeli policy   (7/23/2001)

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