Mubarak opens renovated archaeological sites in Luxor
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 3/23/2002

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday extended a message to the world asserting that Arabs have chosen peace as a strategic option since the Arab summit in Cairo in 1996. Israel, he said, has to respond positively to recent Arab initiatives to fulfill peace in the Middle East.

Commenting on Saudi peace plan for full normal ties between Arabs and Israel in return for full Israeli withdrawal from the lands occupied in 1967, President Mubarak said that Arabs had declared peace as a strategic option, and "Israel should practically respond to the moves with steps towards peace".

The President was speaking in the Upper Egyptian city of Luxor, site of third of the world's historical places, after inaugurating several archaeological projects.

Asked about the possibility of holding a meeting between US Vice-President Dick Cheney and Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat in Egypt, Mubarak said that he hoped the meeting had been held during Cheney's tour in the Middle East.

"I hope such meeting was convened in the occupied territories during Cheney's trip," said Mubarak. He underscored the importance of realizing peace and security in the Middle East region.

The Arabs have chosen peace as a strategic option since the Arab summit in Cairo in 1996," said the President.

In a message extended by President Mubarak to the whole world after inaugurating the project to restore the Hatshepsut temple in Al-Deir Al-Bahari in Luxor, he stressed that Israel has to take practical steps to move towards peace.

On Egypt's efforts to host a meeting grouping US Vice President Dick Cheney and Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat, Mubarak said that he had several calls with the US administration to meet with Arafat and hear from him like it does with Israel.

The American administration showed an improvement in the direction, said Mubarak, adding he hoped a meeting would have been held between Cheney and Arafat in the occupied territories during Cheney's visit.

It would be wrong not to allow Arafat back into Ramallah if he left it, said Mubarak, remarking this would nourish the fire in the region.

President Mubarak was commenting on statements by Sharon who said that Arafat may be allowed to attend next week's Arab summit in the Lebanese capital Beirut if he implements a US brokered cease-fire.

However, the hard-line premier said that Arafat would be allow back to the Palestinian territories according to his behaviour in the summit. The Egyptian leader also hailed the recent American activities in response to his repeated calls on the administration to effectuate its participation in the Middle East process.

President Mubarak opened the world renowned Queen Hatshepsut Temple on the West Bank of the Nile in the Upper Egyptian monument-rich city of Luxor after the end of restoration a overhauling operations at the site.

The restoration project included returning the third floor of the temple to its first shape and bringing Queen Hatshepsut statues back to their original places inside the temple, paving the temple's entrance and setting up a recreational area outside the temple site to serve the temple s visitors.

Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt belonged to the 18th Dynasty. She was married to her half brother Thutmosis II as was the custom of the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt. He succeeded her to the thro after her death.

Giving statements to the Egyptian TV the President said that Egypt is safe and the tourist influx is growing, praising t boom witnessed by tourist activities in Egypt at present.

Mubarak, who met with tourists during his tour archaeological sites, praised the security situation in Egypt.

Egypt, which depends on tourism as a key hard-currency earner, has suffered during the l990s due to an upsurge of terror attack which badly damaged the industry. The President also cited a tourism revival after a slump.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt calls on UN to condemn Jewish settlements in occupied territories   (3/16/2002)
  Mubarak: Israeli policy fuels hatred   (3/16/2002)
  Egypt hails Annan's statement on Israel   (3/13/2002)

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