Mubarak receives U.S. defense secretary
Egypt-USA, Politics, 10/6/2001

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak received Thursday evening U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rumsfeld said he held excellent talks with Mubarak at the request of U.S. President George W. Bush who had sent him to the region.

Rumsfeld said he talked with Mubarak on how to fight terrorism at the world level and the damage caused by the September 11 attacks which claimed thousands of innocent lives.

He added that talks also covered the Mideast peace process and the importance of applying the Mitchell recommendations.

Asked whether he was satisfied with Egypt's contribution to the US-led efforts against terrorism, Rumsfeld expressed satisfaction over the Egyptian-American relations which he described as important .

There are more than one form of coalition, he said, stressing that every country has its own position.

He denied there is any disagreement between Mubarak and Bush on the issue of fighting terrorism. They both agree that terrorism is a serious problem, Rumsfeld said, noting that Bush is determined to combat terrorism through diplomatic, political, military and financial ways.

Asked on the steps to be taken after attacking Afghanistan, and if they could not find Osama bin Laden, Rumsfeld said Bin Laden is a danger to the international community and that even if he was eliminated, the problem will remain. He cited other terror organisations and terrorists whom he said are posing a threat to the international community, including some members of Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.

Whether he presented any clues on Bin Laden's involvement in the September 11 attacks to Egypt, Rumsfeld said there is no doubt that al-Qaeda network was implicated in the terror attacks on New York and Washington.

Asked whether the U.S. will attack any Arab country if it became clear that Bin Laden has fled to it, Rumsfeld said any military attack is possible .

The Mubarak-Rumsfeld meeting was attended by Minister of Defence and Military Production Mohammad Hussein Tantawi and the American Ambassador in Cairo David Welch.

Later, Tantawi, also the Armed Forces Commander in Chief, conferred with the U.S. official and his accompanying delegation.

Rumsfeld's talks in Cairo were part of consultations and contacts Washington is making with leaders of a number of countries on international cooperation to combat global terrorism.

The U.S. official arrived in Cairo Thursday from Oman on a short visit as part of a tour of the region plus Uzbekistan.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak, Bush exchanged messages before September11   (10/4/2001)
  ECFA urges cautious response to terrorism   (10/3/2001)
  Mubarak receives massage from Bush   (9/29/2001)

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