Egyptian-US-Russian talks on developments in the region
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 3/23/2002

Egyptian Foreign Minster Ahmed Maher held on Thursday two separate meetings with US Ambassador in Cairo David Welch and Russian envoy to the Middle East peace process Andrei Vdovin.

Following the meeting, Welch said that he exchanged views with Maher on the recent developments on the Palestinian-Israeli arena and the results of US Vice-President Dick Cheney's tour of the Middle East.

Welch said his meeting with Maher comes ahead of the Foreign Minister's visit to Beirut, due to start Sunday, to attend the Arab foreign ministers' meeting which precedes the Arab summit, noting that the US was looking forward to seeing good results from the summit to revive hopes in the region.

On Cheney's return to the region next week, and reports about his prospective meeting with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Egypt, Welch said the US was focusing on achieving progress on the ground, referring to the intensified efforts exerted by US envoy Anthony Zinni in this regard.

"We want to see an agreement between the two sides to control violence so that we could put an end to the deteriorating situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and as soon as this happiness, we can consider what could be done next," Welch said.

Welch considered Cheney's willingness to return to the region under certain circumstances an unusual move.

On whether Cheney would visit Egypt in the coming days, Welch said he did not want to talk about that now.

"With further developments on the ground, we will have more to say," the Ambassador added.

Meanwhile, Maher said the Egyptian and Arab efforts did not and will not stop either at the level of Arab foreign ministers or ambassadors with the aim of making progress on the road towards just and durable peace, establishment of a Palestinian state and cessation of the Israeli hostilities.

Asked about his meeting with Welch, Maher said that the American Ambassador posted him on the outcome of US Vice-President Dick Cheney's visit to the region.

Maher stressed the importance of continuing efforts by the American Middle East Envoy Anthony Zinni to put an end to the deterioration in the region.

He said that he reiterated to the Ambassador the importance of allowing the Palestinian people and President Yasser Arafat move freely, because there was an Arab desire to let Arafat attend the Arab summit to be held in Beirut late this month.

On Cheney's statements that there was no American decision yet to strike at Iraq, Maher said that the Americans said that there was no decision to attack Iraq and that they listened to the Arab viewpoint in this respect.

On the other hand, the Russian Envoy said following meeting with Maher that his country traditionally attaches great importance to consultations with the Egyptian Administration as it has a leading role in Middle East affairs, particularly on the eve of the Arab summit, due to be held in Beirut later in the month.

Talks with the Egyptian Foreign Minister touched on the still tense conditions in the Middle east, Vdovin said, adding there were some positive signs that should be built on to renounce the power logic and look for political solution to outstanding issues.

On the Beirut summit, Vdovin said he exchanged views with Maher on the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, Saying Russia considered the proposal positive and could be the basis for an effective contribution to an all-out peace in the region.

The Russian envoy said that he coordinates with the envoys of the US and European Union.

Vdovin said that his talks with Maher focused on the present Middle East situation and the exigency of exerting more active efforts to reach a political solution.

The Russian envoy said Moscow has been making efforts to enable Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to attend the Arab summit, voicing his hope that positive decisions would be taken in this respect.

Previous Stories:
  Maher: Arab solidarity conference, held at critical stage   (3/21/2002)
  Arab summit to formulate Saudi ideas into initiative   (3/19/2002)
  Egypt, Arab states to discuss Palestinian and Iraq-Kuwait problems   (3/18/2002)

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