Israel's criminal acts are a challenge to US policy
Palestine-Egypt, Politics, 11/26/2001

In the framework of consultations by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the light of the initiative announced by Secretary of State Colin Powell regarding the peace process and the establishment of Palestinian State, President Mubarak yesterday held a tete-a-tete session with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Then the two leaders held an expanded session attended by members of the Egyptian and Palestinian delegation.

President Mubarak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat discussed Sunday the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian lands in light of the Israeli killing of five Palestinian children and the assassination of a Hamas activist, said Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher.

Speaking to reporters following the Mubarak-Arafat meeting, Maher said such practices prove Israel's insistence on carrying on with its atrocities that are strongly condemned by Egypt.

He added that the two leaders discussed the issues that will be raised when the US peace envoys arrive in the region as well as the Palestinian desire to cooperate with American and international efforts to resume peace negotiations.

Asked on Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres's statements in which he considered Israeli assassination of Palestinian cadres as self-defence acts, Maher said " these statements are not new. They are always twisting facts and the entire world knows such Israeli methods."

"But what is amazing is that these statements are issued while the American envoys are about to visit the region," he said, adding that Israel is by that continuing to challenge the US policy aiming at paving the way for the resumption of negotiations."

The entire world cannot ignore the fact that Israel is increasing its attacks against Palestinians on the eve of the American envoys' arrival in the region, Maher added.

Asked whether there was any mechanism to put into effect the US moves mentioned in US Secretary of State Collin Powell's recent speech, Maher said the mechanism is represented in the visit of the American envoys William Burns and Anthony Zinni to the region.

He said Zinni is in charge of the security issues and burns handle the political ones.

Asked whether the Mitchell report and Tenet's plan have still the same priorities by the US, Maher said this is what Powell said in his speech.

Powell had said the Israeli side accepted the implementation of both the Mitchell report and Tenet's plan in preparation for resuming final status negotiations.

It is natural that the Palestinians cling to the implementation of the Mitchell report and Tenet's plan because they will help open the door for reaching a settlement that would lead to setting up a Palestinian state, Maher added.

Asked whether there were any guarantees for the success of the US endeavors, Maher said apparently Israel is trying to block the American efforts and Washington has to firmly deal with this.

"I do not think Washington will accept that challenge," Maher said.

This is the first time that Washington has made such statements, Maher said, referring to Powell's speech, hoping that they would be put into effect soon.

Asked on the European and Americana 'stance's towards Israeli rejection of resuming any negotiations until after seven days of calm Sharon keeps talking about to hinder the peace process.

On his part, Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat said before leaving Cairo for Saudi Arabian that he was keen to brief' President Mubarak on the latest developments.

He said he explained to President Mubarak what is going on in the occupied lands before the arrival of the two us envoys to the region, and the Israeli escalation and confiscation of funds.

He said Israeli bombardment covered 20 positions in Gaza adding 18 Palestinians were assassinated by Israel.

He expressed hope that us envoys would bring with them something new.

Previous Stories:
  Diplomat praises Mubarak's efforts on Palestinian cause   (11/24/2001)
  Mubarak warns of continued violence in the Middle East   (11/1/2001)
  Baz hints at vigorous world efforts to resolve Palestinian problem   (11/1/2001)

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