Sherif comments on President Mubarak's visit to US
Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/9/2002

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak spent about five hours in Capitol Hill (Premises of the Congress) Wednesday holding dialogue with prominent members of the Senate and House of Representatives, Egyptian Information Minister Safwat El-Sherif said.

Congressmen welcomed the Egyptian leader and expressed appreciation of his relentless efforts in quest of peace in the Middle East.

They voiced hope that he would play a role in breaking the present cycle of violence and giving new impetus to the peace march, Sherif added.

Senator Tom Lantos of California proposed to President Mubarak that he pays a historic visit to Jerusalem like the one paid by late leader Anwar El-Sadat to break the present deadlock.

President Mubarak replied that when Sadat visited Jerusalem in 1977 he found eager response from then Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, who also responded to the peace overtures.

The question now is will the Israeli Prime Minister today be ready to accept taking effective and serious steps to achieve comprehensive peace on all fronts within the international legitimacy framework? The Egyptian leader wondered.

The President further said he is ready to take any serious action to realize peace on condition that there is serious commitment to achieve this goal away from propaganda and empty slogans, Sherif added.

Moreover, Sherif asserted profound Egyptian-American ties, adding that this does not mean that any one can impose a decision on Egypt which it opposes.

In an interview with a TV programme on Dream 2 satellite channel Wednesday night, Sherif reiterated Egypt's rejection of striking Iraq or pressurizing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

It is necessary that the Americans listen to President Hosni Mubarak, asserting the importance of the visit to Washington by the Egyptian leader, which wound up on Wednesday.

The visit came at a difficult stage the Middle East is going through, he said.

President Mubarak is an Arab leader enjoying wisdom and perspective, he said, referring to his stance during the Camp David negotiations when he rejected pressure on Arafat who cannot give up the Palestinian land.

He underlined the importance of Arab coordination in light of current global developments.

He voiced belief that the Egyptian citizen feels confident in the performance of Egyptian media, pointing out to the freedom of expression in the various mass media.

As for the media coverage of important events, the Minister said the incident of the Upper Egypt train was broadcast immediately and the first pictures were run by Egyptian media.

He voiced satisfaction over the performance of Egyptian satellite channels which are now considered amongst the most successful.

He asserted that the freedom of the press and media is protected by the law and the constitution.

Previous Stories:
  US source: Bush refused Mubarak's request to interfere in the region   (3/8/2002)
  Mubarak was urged to visit Jerusalem   (3/8/2002)
  Mubarak addresses the Council on Foreign Relations   (3/7/2002)

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