Maher stresses importance of establishing Palestinian State
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 10/17/2001

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher described the statements made by British Prime Minister Tony Blair on the importance of establishing a Palestinian State as important.

In statements to diplomatic editors on Tuesday, Maher said this is not the first time Europe has asserted its stance towards the establishment of a Palestinian state, pointing out that the European statement issued in 1999 stressed the importance of self-determination for the Palestinian people and establishment of a Palestinian state.

He characterized as very crucial at this juncture the British and European assertion of the importance of self-determinations for the Palestinian people.

Maher underscored exerting intensive efforts during the coming stage to achieve that end, pointing out that the situation on the ground indicated that Israeli troops withdrew from positions they occupied recently in the Palestinian self-rule areas.

He called for more Israeli steps to reduce tension and halt aggression on the Palestinian people.

Commenting on the Israeli policy of assassination, Maher said that Egypt, along with the world countries, condemned the policy adopted by the Israeli government to assassinate Palestinian cadres, which violated all international norms and laws.

On the United States vision of linking the establishment of a Palestinian State with negotiations on the Palestinian-Israeli borders, Maher said "this is a secondary point because the whole world is convinced that the withdrawal must take place to the 1967 borders."

"Time is ripe to push forward the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations and implement the agreements signed between the two sides," said Maher, adding that Egypt hoped a peaceful settlement would be reached between the two sides as soon as possible.

He said that the past years had witnessed progress on the way of establishing the Palestinian authority and a Palestinian State.

As for the Sudan, Maher said Sudan is committed to the Egyptian -Libyan initiative, adding that he was in constant contacts with officials concerned with the Sudanese issue.

On the maltreatment of Arabs and Muslims in Europe and the United States, Maher described such maltreatment as unacceptable and said that he raised the issue with governments concerned.

He pointed out that the American and other western governments rejected practices against the Arabs and Muslims.

On the maltreatment of some Egyptian suspects in the Untied States at the hands of US security agencies, Maher said the Egyptian embassies and consulates are responsible for any Egyptian citizen put in prison in any part of the world and for following up his condition.

We have no information about torturing a large number of Egyptians," said Maher, adding that Egypt rejected the maltreatments of Egyptians anywhere.

Ahmed Maher hoped both India and Pakistan would maintain their efforts to settle differences between them over Kashmir problem.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Maher expressed hope they would cease-fire and resume political meetings that were previously held and achieved some progress.

"Both India and Pakistan are friendly states to Egypt," he said.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak, Arafat hold talks on latest developments   (10/9/2001)
  Mubarak's efforts draw Palestinian praise   (10/8/2001)
  Mubarak discusses with Arafat, developments of the situation in the occupied lands   (10/1/2001)

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