Sharon is the one who needs 'one-way out ticket'
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/3/2002

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said the Arab contacts that have been ongoing along the day are designed to coordinate stances in the UN Security Council.

In a joint press conference with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou late Tuesday, Maher said that holding an emergency Arab League meeting is being discussed.

He added that he had phone contacts with Egyptian ambassador in US Nabil Fahmi and Charge d'Affaires in Israel Ehab El-Sherif.

Asked about EU security chief Javier Solana's call on Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon to resign, Maher said this call is the outcome of frustration on lack of Israeli cooperation as he was prevented from meeting Arafat.

This is not a proposal but rather a reflection of resentment and frustration due to the Israeli stance and continued aggression, Maher said.

Asked about Sharon's readiness to give Arafat a one-way ticket out of Ram Allah, Maher said, "I think Sharon is the one who needs this ticket."

Papandreou urged for an immediate international intervention and stressed that all parties should not stand watching by the fence.

He called on the international community to intervene and put pressures on Israel to implement international resolutions.

"Greece and the European Union (EU) see Arafat as the legitimate President of the Palestinian Authority (PA)," the top Greek diplomat said.

The Greek foreign minister underlined the necessity of hammering out a peaceful solution in order to establish a Palestinian state.

He expressed his pleasure over talks with Maher and praised the distinguished bilateral relations between Greece and Egypt.

Papandreou said he believes that Solana is very worried over the latest Israeli occupation of Ram Allah and the siege of Arafat.

Talks between Maher and Papandreou tackled the situation in the Middle East and European contribution to solving this issue.

He voiced satisfaction with Greek stance and described ties as excellent "albeit they need more efforts to be boosted in the economic and trade domains.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt takes its decision in time; we do not need holding a summit   (4/2/2002)
  Egypt follows up Israel's siege of Arafat, invasion of Palestinian areas   (4/2/2002)
  Sharon's practices are real-terrorism Grand Imam of Al-Azhar   (4/2/2002)

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