Ben Eliezer appreciates Mubarak's peace efforts
Egypt-Israel, Politics, 1/31/2002

Israeli Minister of Defence and Labour Party Leader Benjamin Ben Eliezer appreciated President Hosni Mubarak's policy in supporting peace between Arab countries and Israel.

Emerging from a meeting with President Mubarak in Sharm El Sheikh on Wednesday, the Israeli Minister said that Egypt had a major role to play with the Arab states in general and with the Palestinians in particular, to put an end to violence and support the peace process.

Ben Eliezer, who returned to Israel later in the day, said that peace could not be achieved through violence and military measures but rather through dialogue and negotiations.

He revealed sending an Israeli message to Syrian president Bashar Al Assad through President Mubarak, saying that the message expressed Israel's readiness to sit at the negotiation table with Syria without pre-conditions.

At a press conference following talks with President Mubarak, Ben Eliezer extended thanks to President Mubarak for inviting him for talks in Sharm El Sheikh.

Terming his talks with Mubarak as constructive and fruitful, he said they were aimed at promoting joint efforts to put an end to violence and terrorism in the region as a basis for peace according to the Tenet understanding and Mitchell recommendations.

He added that the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty constituted the basis for ensuring security and stability in the region. He added that both countries shared an interest in reaching stability in the region and preventing terrorism.

Ben Eliezer, asserting that Israel remained committed to peace with the Palestinians, said Israel today found itself without a real partner in the peace process, after it had been ready to make great sacrifices for peace.

He said the Palestinians were not enemies of Israel, which he added was not fighting them, but it was combatting terrorism.

Asked whether he requested anything regarding Syria from President Mubarak, the Israeli Minister said that he talked with the President on various issues including Hezbollah.

He said he entrusted President Mubarak with a message to Syrian President Bashar Al Assad on Israel's readiness to resume talks and the importance of halting Hezbollah activities.

The Israeli Minister remarked that his talks with Mubarak also touched on alleged links between Iran and the Palestinian Authority.

On whether he talked with the Egyptian leader on the return of the Egyptian Ambassador to Tel Aviv , Ben Eliezer said that Mubarak promised him to send the ambassador back to Israel if a political progress is made.

Egypt recalled its ambassador in late 2000 in protest against Israel's excessive use of force against the Palestinians.

Palestinian diplomat hails Mubarak's support for Palestinian cause

The PLO representative in Washington Hassan Abdel Rahman hailed Wednesday the role played by Egypt under President Hosni Mubarak in backing the Palestinian cause.

In an interview with Cairo Radio, he said the Palestinian Authority highly appreciates the Egyptian policy supportive for the Palestinian rights.

He termed the US administration's policy towards Israel as biased, and warned that such policy will undermine interests of all parties including the US.

He described the EU statement upholding Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat as balanced and committed to international legitimacy and signed agreements.

This statement is regarded a reply to the American stance which is totally biased to Israel, he noted, clarifying that he does not expect any positive Israeli reaction as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's policy has nothing to do with logic, ethics or legitimacy.

"The US should carefully study the European attitude and reconsider its declared policy," he added.

The Palestinian figure said that he maintains contacts with top officials at the US State Department but fundamental differences on the global American policy still exist.

An Israeli official stresses importance of Mubarak-Ben Eliezer talks.

President Mubarak's talks with Israeli Minister of Defence Benjamin Ben Eliezer would be highly important, Ben Eliezer -Deputy Daila Rabin told Israel radio Wednesday.

She said that the talks are important because they come while the peace process is facing a deadlock.

"It is necessary to hold contacts with Egypt and its President who plays a leading role in the Arab world and who is worried over the deterioration of conditions in the region," she said.

Palestinian : No security without observing int'l legitimacy resolutions

The Palestinian leadership Wednesday night underlined that Al-Quds (Jerusalem) is the core of Palestine and the capital of the independent Palestinian state.

The leadership added in a statement that security for both the Palestinian and Israelis can never be realized without peace and the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions that demand a full Israeli withdrawal from all Palestinian territories, foremost among which is Al-Quds, as well as the implementation of signed agreements.

Previous Stories:
  Pentagon seeks Sinai cuts   (1/30/2002)
  Mubarak, Ben Eliezer to discuss deteriorating Middle East situation   (1/30/2002)
  Direct contact channel between Mubarak, Sharon offices   (1/30/2002)

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