Maher, Hamoud and Erekat contacts
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 8/21/2001

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher Monday received a phone call from his Lebanese counterpart Mahmoud Hamoud.

Maher and Palestinian Local Administration Minister Saeb Erekat also had phone contact on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after the two contacts, Maher said they dealt with the meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers, due on Wednesday, and the current deteriorating situation in the Palestinian lands.

About whether he will brief the Arab foreign ministers on the Egyptian-US ideas discussed in Washington, Maher said. There were no specific plans but exchange of viewpoints.

"Egypt and the US have made clear their stances towards the current regional situation, but we cannot talk about an Egyptian-American plan or even a US plan," Maher said.

Concerning the Egyptian contacts with the American side and his (Maher) meeting with newly-appointed US Ambassador in Cairo David Welch, Maher said "I made clear during the meeting Egypt's stance towards the Mideast developments and the moves required by the US." Maher added that he discussed with Welch promoting bilateral relations and Durban conference on racism.

"It is not logical that such a conference will exclude what is taking place in the Palestinian lands," he said, stressing that any conference on human rights cannot ignore the aggressive policy carried out by the Israeli government against the Palestinians.

Asked whether there are any positive indications of the Egyptian delegation's visit to Washington, Maher expressed belief that the Bush Administration is completely convinced of the importance to move.

"I think if the US is going to move, it should announce by itself these moves," Maher said.

Asked about Welch's statements that the American ideas are the same as the Egyptians, he said, "It is clear that Egypt's perspective towards the Mideast conflict is different from the American one. But there is after all an agreement on the importance to move to end violence and resume negotiations." "But how they can move, it is up to the Americans to decide," Maher said.

"Our main focus should be on providing appropriate atmosphere for final status negotiations which should be based on international legitimacy resolutions and Madrid terms of reference," Maher said.

Previous Stories:
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  Some Israeli voices refuse Israeli policies   (8/13/2001)

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