Jordan, Egypt stress clinging to Arafat's leadership
Jordan-Egypt, Politics, 4/9/2002

Following the meeting held between the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak with the Jordanin prime minister Ali Abu al-Ragheb, both Egypt and Jordan stressed the need that relations should be "with the person" of the chairman of the Palestinian authority yasser Arafat.

Following the meeting, Abu al- Ragheb said that both Egypt and Jordan are making tremendous efforts invested in their diplomacy for supporting the Palestinian people and to deal with Arafat as a President and a symbol for the Palestinian leadership and the need to have the dealing with him personally."

Abu al- Ragheb added that discussions also dealt with means of achieving that as well as about the visit of the US secretary of State Collin Powell to the region and its expected results.

He explained that the two states are currently working to " Crystallize the speech made by the US President George Bush through the visit of Powell into a positive thing that can be materialized on the ground and attains the Israeli withdrawal." Abu al-Ragheb said that the US, which is the main sponsor for the ME peace process had made a tremendous efforts in this regard and should shoulder its responsibility towards these events in a way that can protect its interests and the Arab interests, altogether in a good way.

Jordan said that Powell's visit might succeed if Washington will make pressure on Israel. He called on Washington to shoulder its responsibilities in the region.

Following his meeting with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo: He said "We think there is a possible success for Powell's visit if the US will be able to pressure the Israeli government and in particular the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon."

Abu al-Ragheb added in a joint press conference with the Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher that there is an opportunity for the success for Powell's visit if Israel cooperates in this regard." Abu al-Ragheb said Israel has to realize that its military campaign will result in consequences that do not serve it, besides it will not ensure the security it talks about."

He added that his talks with Mubarak dealt with means of implementing UN security council resolution 1402 which calls for Israel's withdrawal from the Palestinian territories and lifting the siege imposed on the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt, Jordan discuss Saudi initiative, supporting Palestinians   (3/19/2002)
  Mubarak gets a message from King Abdullah   (3/19/2002)
  King Abdullah visits Egypt   (2/26/2002)

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