Mubarak contacts Bush on deteriorating situation in occupied territories
Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/4/2001

In the context of Egypt's efforts aiming at halting Israeli hostile practices against the Palestinian people and avoiding further deterioration in the occupied territories, President Mubarak sent an urgent message to US President George W. Bush dealing with sustained Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and deteriorating positions in the occupied territories.

Mubarak indicated that complications which could result from further deterioration would worsen the situation further and push the whole region towards an extremely dangerous situation.

Meantime, Palestinians called on the United States to exert pressure on Israel to halt the policy of assassinating Palestinian activists.

Ahmed Korei, the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council has warned the circle of violence could expand to unlimited war if the United States did not adopt harder stance than the Israeli practices.

He called on Washington to help implement Mitchell committee recommendations and to agree on dispatching international observers to occupied territories.

Nabil Shaath, the Palestinian Minister of International Cooperation has accused Washington of giving Israel the green light to launch missile offensive against Hamas office which claimed lives of eight persons last Tuesday.

In Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has ruled out prospects for achieving a comprehensive peace with Palestinians saying his vision of solving the conflict could be summarized in reaching a long term phased out solution.

He said Israel's stance is built on gradual progress on the basis of non-aggression phased agreements. He said Palestinian Israeli relations under those agreements would be built on the basis of deterrence and mutual economic interests.

Sharon claimed that he personally is not enthusiastic about the road he has chosen for confrontation with Palestinians.

However, he claimed that this is the best way for solving security issues faced by Israel as he put it.

In Washington, the US Administration renewed its denunciation of the Israeli policy which is aimed at liquidating Palestinians.

It called on Palestinian and Israeli sides to resume dialogue between them. A White House spokesman said the only way to halt violence is to reach a ceasefire agreement, adding this applies to Israelis and Palestinians.

Secretary of State Colin Powel in a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon expressed deep concern over the Israeli offensive against Hamas elements and killings which are practiced by Israel against Palestinians.

On his part, Daniel Kurtzer, the new US Ambassador to Israel did not rule out a visit by Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat to Washington to meet US President George Bush.

Kurtzer said in press statements he has never said that he would not meet Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat but he said it is important to select the proper timing.

Previous Stories:
  US administration hails Mubarak's role in ME   (7/28/2001)
  Egyptian foreign affairs council discusses Mideast peace in US   (7/28/2001)
  Maher confers with US charge d'affaires in Cairo   (7/21/2001)

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