Mubarak, Ben Eliezer to discuss deteriorating Middle East situation
Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/30/2002

Egyptian President Mubarak's meeting with Israeli Defence Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer on Wednesday will dwell on the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian lands, said an Egyptian diplomat on Tuesday.

" Egyptian Charge d'Affaires in Tel Aviv Ehab Sherif said Ben Eliezer expressed his desire to see President Mubarak and know his view towards the current deterioration in the Palestinian lands.

Sherif said the visit comes at an appropriate time to discuss ways to break the cycle of violence and implement the Mitchell recommendations in preparation for resuming political negotiations.

Ben Eleizer will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including three Knesset members, two of whom are from the Labour Party.

Commenting on the visit, Presidential Adviser Osama EL Baz said Egypt accepts contacting any Israeli official as long as this will help improve the situation in the region.

We have never said that we oppose meeting any Israeli official but we should ask ourselves why these contacts are held and whether they will lead to any results or not, " he said.

"Ben Eleizer was elected as head of the Labour Party and at the same time he is holding a leading post in the Israeli Cabinet and so when he expressed willingness to visit Egypt and consult with President Mubarak, it was natural to respond to him because Egypt is committed to achieve peace and stability and end the tragic situation," Baz said.

On fears that Ben Eleizer's visit is meant to desensitize the angry Arab reaction to the Israeli practices, Baz said there are almost daily Palestinian contacts with the Israelis and no one can say that these contacts are meant to desensitize anyone.

What is important is to see whether these contacts will serve the Palestinian cause or not, If yes, "we will never hesitate to do it", He added.

On the issues to be raised during the visit, Baz said the Egyptian stance is clear. The situation now will not serve anyone and will harm Israel in the long run, because it deepens feelings of hostility towards Israel.

"We want to achieve peace on the Palestinian and Syrian tracks. We want also Israel to withdraw from the occupied Shebaa Farms," he said.

On whether there would be an Arab participation in the European-American-Russian meeting to convene in Washington next week to discuss the future of the peace process, Baz said there will be no Arab participation in that meeting, adding that holding coordination among non-Arab sides was also important.

"If the US accepted playing a joint role with the EU and Russia, this would serve the peace process. After the meeting, it is natural that they will contact the Arab sides to brief them on the outcome," Baz said.

Asked on the latest American stance towards the Palestinian cause, Baz hoped the America stance would change, warning that the Israeli right-wing could misconstrue this stance as a blank cheque to the Israeli government to do whatever it wanted, regardless of whether it would serve the peace process or not.

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