Maher pursues contacts on situation in Middle East
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/17/2002

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher received on Tuesday a telephone call from Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, currently visiting Britain, as part of intensive contacts made to contain the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories.

During the conversation, the two sides reviewed the current conditions in the Palestinian territories and the outcome of a current tour of the region by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Maher as well received a phone call from his Tunisian counterpart EL-Habib Ben Yehia.

In this context, Maher also received phone calls from U.S. Ambassador in Cairo David Welch on Powell's visits to Lebanon, Syria and his future plans to meet again with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat.

Responding to questions by diplomatic reporters on holding a regional conference on settling the Middle East crisis, Maher said, Egypt did not receive any proposals in this respect.

Maher said: "The idea does not seem convenient, because the real aim of the Israeli government is avoiding any serious negotiations."

He said the Israeli suggestion to hold this conference does not involve effective elements such as Europe, Russia and the United Nations, which are important participants as they have already done in the past.

Commenting on Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon's statements to the television on Monday, Maher said it is not unusual for Sharon to propagate views and ideas that are not based on facts or logic.

Sharon's propaganda emanates from his wish to cover up for the hostile actions with a smoke screen that no longer deceives anybody, he added.

The Egyptian top diplomat said Sharon's confusion and his attempts to deny the facts watched by the world on television every day, that is, the heinous aggressions on defenseless Palestinians, were evidence of his feeling of defeat despite his tanks and warplanes.

Maher said: "It is enough that Sharon acknowledged that the whole world blamed Israel, accusing the world countries of ignoring Israeli victims, who are, in fact, victimized by the Israeli policies.

Asked about the arrest of Fatah Movement Secretary in the West Bank Marwan El-Barghouti, Maher said Barghouti's detention is part of the continued Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people.

He said all the Israeli measures would not undermine the Palestinian people's will for liberation.

He added that the massacres, killing operations and shelling of Palestinian cities and villages as well as denying the Palestinians their right to live in dignity, would not stand in the way of Palestinians to attain freedom and independence.

Maher praised the international powers that supported right and justice.

Regarding the possibility that Powell could visit Cairo again, Maher said: "It is possible" as consultations between the Egyptian and American sides are continuing. He said Egypt is keen on continuing U.S. effective and just role.

Maher as well highlighted the necessity of abiding by the UN Security Council resolutions; the four-way Madrid statement that urged the Israeli side to immediately withdraw from the Palestinian territories and start real moves to hold political negotiations.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt's stance is effective and influential   (4/16/2002)
  Arafat- Powell meeting positive   (4/15/2002)
  Maher phones Arafat on situation in Palestinian territories   (4/15/2002)

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