Israeli anti-Arafat practices defiance of international legitimacy
Egypt-Israel, Politics, 12/25/2001

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher described Israeli attempts to prevent Palestinian President Yasser Arafat from travelling to Bethlehem as a defiance of international legitimacy.

In press statements Monday, Maher said Israel has been defying law, legitimacy, logic and world public opinion and these policies should end.

He was replying to a query on the Israeli government's adamancy to allow Arafat to go to Bethlehem to attend the Christmas.

Asked about reports that Egypt has nominated a new ambassador to Israel and will be dispatching him soon, Maher said when Egypt decides to send a new ambassador it will not be announced via newspapers or radios but will be openly declared.

On the constant threats made by Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon, Maher said this is typical of the current Israeli government. He voiced astonishment that the world and peace-loving nations remain lip-sealed about that.

Maher appealed to peace-loving powers, the US, Russia, the EU and the UN to adopt just and firm stances that would make Israel halt its dumb policies .

On the Israeli press campaign against Egypt and President Hosni Mubarak, Maher said Egypt does not care about such campaign.

Asked about the recently-leaked Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres' initiative, Maher said everyone has the right to launch initiatives.

He added that there are two outstanding facts, namely, that Sharon path strips him off credibility and that things have gone far beyond interim issues as the Palestinians have waited ten years for an Israeli fulfillment of previous commitments.

Such Israeli statements are part of maneuvers even if they are motivated by good-will, said Maher.

On previous situations where Sharon denied any deal suggested by Peres, Maher said that Peres's good intentions have not been transformed into any tangible thing.

He added that a comprehensive settlement and the establishment of a Palestinian state have become a necessity.

On American threats to Iraq, Maher said the Egyptian stance has been made crystal clear.

He added that several parties launched contacts with Washington which proved that the US realises the danger of assaulting an Arab country.

Asked about numbers of Egyptians detained in the US after the Sept. 11 attacks, Maher said that Egypt is not the sole country that does not know the real number of its detainees.

He added that this issue is being followed-up by the Egyptian Embassy and Consulate in the US.

On the Arab League resolution on halting any dealing with Sharon, Maher said the resolution says that Sharon is the one who does not consider Arafat a peace partner while he himself is not qualified as a partner.

Asked about the UN General Assembly's resolution on sending international monitors to the Palestinian areas, Maher recalled that Sharon had talked with him about possible agreement with the US to send a few number of American inspectors. I do not think he was serious, Maher said.

Peres had said before that Israel is ready to accept international observers in Gaza and Rafah, the top Egyptian diplomat said.

Previous Stories:
  Israel should have better peace intentions, says Maher   (12/20/2001)
  Ebeid calls on Sharon to be wise   (12/20/2001)
  Maher denies failure of his mission to Israel   (12/12/2001)

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