Time to reconsider UN sanctions against Iraq
Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 2/18/2002

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said Sunday that it was time to reconsider the UN sanctions against Iraq.

Iraq also should abide by international legitimacy resolutions and take measures assuring its neighbours that it will not repeat what took place in 1990, added Maher.

During his meeting with members of the Egyptian Businessmen Association, Maher renewed Egypt's rejection of jeopardizing the integrity of Iraqi territories.

On the possibility of attacking Iraq, Maher said Egypt and other Arab states are holding contacts to make clear the seriousness of such a move, especially after Iraq expressed readiness to comply with UN resolutions, he added.

"We hope such a spirit will continue so that Iraq could avoid further suffering," he said.

On the situation in the Palestinian lands, Maher said it is very serious. The Israeli government is seeking to destroy the Palestinians morally and financially.

They are trying to make the Palestinians accept what would not help achieve the stability of the region.

Maher said that Egypt was seeking to garner the support of the international community for the Palestinian right, adding that Egypt was trying to get the US to adopt a moderate stance. "To some extent we have succeeded in achieving that," he said.

On Egyptian-American relations, Maher said disagreement in opinion does not mean there is a crisis between the two countries.

But, anyway, it is in the interest of the US to achieve security and stability in the region.

On the American campaign against terrorism, Maher said Israel took advantage of the September 11 attacks to associate terrorism with Muslims.

"We should not depend totally on the military solutions in fighting terrorism. We have to treat all reasons leading to violence and the discrepancy in living standards," he said.

Previous Stories:
  Maher warned against striking Iraq   (2/12/2002)
  Egypt, Iraq discuss spheres of economic, trade cooperation   (1/2/2002)
  Blair urged to keep US out of Iraq   (1/1/2002)

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