Sending int'l observers not contingent on Israeli will
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/13/2002

The issue of sending international observers to the Palestinian territories is not contingent on the Israeli will, said Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher.

We found insistence from the United States and Europe on the importance of dispatching the observers , said Maher in statements to diplomatic editors at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

Asked about reports published by the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon prevented him from meeting Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, the Foreign Minister said: I advise you not to read such papers.

I will meet with Arafat in the appropriate time , said Maher, adding that Israel could not prevent him from meeting the Palestinian leader.

Asked about reports on tension in Egyptian-Syrian relations, especially after the protest Egypt sent to Syria on the demonstration staged in front of the Egyptian embassy in Damascus, Maher said that Egypt did not protest to Syria.

Egypt was expecting from its friends not to harm relations, said Maher, adding that Egypt was keen on establishing good relations with all Arab friends, especially Syria.

Queried about the presence of Swiss and German peace initiatives, Maher said that there were a lot of good offices and that he heard of a German paper and Swiss ideas, which Egypt welcomed.

The Foreign Minister said Israel cannot obliterate the Palestinian people or their rights, adding that it was important to enter into serious negotiations to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

Asked about American pressures to grant Sharon the chance to harvest the fruits of his crimes and if there was a possible halt to the Intifada, Maher said that the Intifada was aimed at regaining the Palestinian rights by all possible means, accordingly, it would not stop.

On the Egyptian financial support to the Intifada, Maher said that Egypt extended, and would continue to extend more support to the Intifada, besides the political, diplomatic and moral support.

On whether Sharon's war crimes against the Palestinians could ever drop by prescription, Maher said that such crimes could never be dropped by prescription, adding that there were calls, even in Europe, to try war criminals.

Previous Stories:
  Israel: Maher cancels a visit to meet with Arafat   (4/12/2002)
  Israel: Maher cancels a visit to meet with Arafat   (4/12/2002)
  Waves of anger in People's Assembly against Israel   (4/10/2002)
  Waves of anger in People's Assembly against Israel   (4/10/2002)
  Pope Shenouda lauds Mubarak peace efforts   (4/9/2002)
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