Baz denies dispatching Egyptian troops to back up Palestinians
Egypt-USA, Politics, 8/20/2001

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will receive this week a report from Ossama Al Baz, the Political Advisor to the President on the outcome of contacts made by the Egyptian delegation with the US administration on ways of ending the current deterioration in the Middle East.

Baz who is due to return home on Tuesday, told Arab journalists in Washington that after he submits the report to President Mubarak, an exploration would be made of the situation as a preliminary step towards carrying out President Mubarak's directives in this regard.

He said the ideas raised by the Egyptian delegation with the US administration officials will be discussed with the Palestinian side. Later, he said, we shall go back to the US side.

He said the upcoming few days will witness intensive contacts with the Palestinian, Israeli sides, the United States, Arab, European and international parties on the Egyptian ideas.

Baz ruled out reports on Egypt's plan to move military troops or to dispatch troops for assisting Palestinians in the face of the Israeli troops.

He said the idea of dispatching any Arab force will further complicate the situation. Baz said the results of his contacts with senior officials has asserted that the US administration shares Egypt its concern over the deteriorating positions in the region.

He said the US administration asserted that the US role in the peace process will be reactivated.

Baz said neither the Palestinian leadership nor any Palestinian parties have asked Egypt to dispatch Egyptian troops for helping them in the face of the Israeli aggressions.

He said during his talks with US officials he raised the idea of dispatching monitors whether they are Europeans or Americans for monitoring the situation between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

He said President Mubarak is keen to consult Arab leaders on the situation in the region.

He said his delegation came to Washington despite the fact that a large number of US officials are on vacations because the situation in the region no longer tolerates waiting.

"We came to Washington to brief the US administration on the risks of the situation and to underline the need for an active US role in putting an end to the deterioration in the region," he said.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak's statements on Mideast situation   (8/18/2001)
  U.S. 'inaction' weakens Arab moderates, Egypt aide warns   (8/18/2001)
  US under pressure to send observers to Middle East   (8/18/2001)

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