Maher, Richard Hass discuss peace process
Egypt-USA, Politics, 2/19/2002

Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher discussed on Monday with U.S. State Department Policy Planning Director Richard Haass the Mideast peace process.

After the meeting, Haass said his talks with Maher covered other issues but he declined to mention them.

On the Arab summit, he said he discussed the issues expected to be raised at the summit.

There was, of course, concern over the Palestinian cause and the Iraqi issue as well at the summit," Haass said.

He added that he tried to explain to Maher the reasons for the U.S. belief that the Iraqi regime posed a security threat.

Maher said late Monday that the U.S. has not taken a decision to attack Iraq, adding that discussions dwelt on the latest regional and international developments, preparations for President Hosni Mubarak's anticipated visit to the US, and means to crystallize the Egyptian-American strategic dialogue.

On Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon's escalating measures in the occupied Palestinian lands, Maher said his practices would never help reach the hoped-for peace.

Maher added that his own words were not only expressing the Egyptian or the Arab viewpoint but also that of several world countries.

He said members of the Irish parliamentary delegation he met with Monday have criticised the Israeli position.

A peaceful settlement could be reached, however, the Israeli government seems determined to neglect such a point, Maher said.

Several Israeli voices rejected Sharon's atrocities, especially in the press.

Maher dismissed as "a trick nobody would buy, the Israeli government's concentration, at present, on holding talks with Palestinian legislative council speaker Ahmad Korei.

Any contact with the Israeli side made by any Palestinian is being carried out upon directives from and consent of Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat, Maher clarified.

No one can deny that Arafat is the legitimate Palestinian leader, he stressed.

As regards the Egyptian-Libyan initiative on Sudanese reconciliation, Maher said the parties concerned accepted the initiative.

The Inter-Government Authority for Development (IGAD) conference, recently held in Khartoum, has authorisized Kenyan President Daniel Moi to coordinate between the Egyptian-Libyan overture and IGAD initiative, Maher said.

A proposal has been forwarded to hold meetings between the Egyptian, Kenyan and Libyan sides on the one hand, and the Sudanese parties, on the other, added Maher.

Queried about whether the American efforts in Sudan have marginalized the role of the Egyptian-Libyan initiative, Maher said "We feel we are standing on a solid ground".

"The Sudanese opposition National Democratic Alliance will meet in Eritrea and then steps would be taken for a general meeting," Maher said.

We welcome any pro-Sudanese efforts, said Maher, reiterating that the Egyptian-Libyan initiative served the best of Sudan's interests and was still the one accepted by all parities.

Asked about Whether Washington has pressed for any issues to be addressed during the upcoming Arab summit, Maher said that Arab issues are only discussed by Arab parties.

Previous Stories:
  Tenet informs Mubarak of US determination to strike Iraq   (2/18/2002)
  Mubarak to visit Washington early next month   (2/16/2002)
  US aid to Egypt is not linked to peace process progress   (2/14/2002)

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