Maher :Israel's policy poses grave threat against it
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/3/2001

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher denounced Israel's provocation of the Palestinians with the aim of rendering the US initiative a failure, describing such provocations as a despicable game played by Israel.

Maher, in statements in the United States, said Israel's policies pose a grave threat against it, adding security will not be realized except with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state of sovereignty over the lands occupied in 1967.

On the Middle East situation, the Minister said he would convey to the American side the message that Egypt welcomed Washington's continued efforts and the positive attitude expressed by US Secretary of State Colin Powell with regard to settling the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

"From Israel's behaviour, Egypt believes the Jewish state wants to challenge the American willingness and force some Palestinian parties into reactions used by Israel in attempting to make the US initiative a failure," the Egyptian top diplomat noted.

"The mean game played by Israel poses a risk to its security, which would never be achieved except by reaching an agreement providing for the establishment of a Palestinian state that would have sovereignty over all lands occupied since 1967," Maher said.

On whether the U.S. peace team's mission will culminate in a mechanism to put into effect U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's recent statements, the Egyptian official said: "We hope so." He added that the US envoys are pursuing talks in region.

"There should be some kind of formula or mechanism to make sure that Israel will not drag its feet on ending its unlimited violence," he said.

Asked to comment on reports that there are some differences between Egypt and Washington, he said:

"It is not strange that some circles in the US have some objections to some aspects of the Egyptian policy and media.

But this does not scare us. We have our own independent opinion. Our policies sometimes meet with those of the US and at other time do not. But we are fully capable of managing our relations with the U.S. Differences that may occur between us are ordinary.

Asked if the US initiative stands a chance to achieve a tangible result while Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is still in power, he said:

" I think the U.S. initiative would have a good chance if it led to a breakthrough, especially if we added to it the mechanism we need for implementation.

We cannot keep expressing our commitment to Mitchell recommendations without knowing how to apply them."

He added that the ceasefire should not be the focus of attention because it is just a means to resume negotiations.

On fears by the Arab countries that the current US moves are only meant to allay angry feeling generated by recent American threats against Iraq, El-Baz said:

We are against military confrontation with any Arab side because we believe this will harm the Arab national security as well as the US policy. He warned that this would strain Arab-US relations.

The Egyptian official said there was no information that there were Egyptians among the Arab Afghans, Anyway, if any Egyptian committed a crime, he would be treated like any one else.

If Egyptians were proven to be involved in terror acts, they will be punished under the international law and the anti-terror law.

He denied that there is an anti-Egypt campaign in the Congress but said it would be more accurate to say there are some voices who attempt to attack Egypt.

"But this has no effect on appreciation for President Mubarak in official and popular quarters in the US nor for the role played by Egypt," he added.

Previous Stories:
  Three points conducive to settle Palestinian question   (12/1/2001)
  Egypt presents draft to UNGA on Palestinians' right to their natural resources   (11/30/2001)
  Egypt committed to work for peace achievement   (11/27/2001)

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