Mubarak and Bush underline the need for sustaining efforts for solving Middle East crisis
Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/9/2002

Egyptian President Mubarak Tuesday got a telephone call from US president George Bush dealing with the developments of the situation in occupied Palestinian territories in the light of lifting off the Israeli siege on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

They also exchanged views on the future of the peace process n the framework of the underway contacts with all parties.

The two leaders underlined the need for exerting more efforts for maintaining security and stability for all peoples of the region.

On his part, president Mubarak underlined the need that all settlements should be within the framework of commitment to international legitimacy, the resolutions issued by the security council, commitment to the principle of land for peace mitigating down the sufferings of the Palestinian people and redressing the damage afflicting Palestinian infrastructures.

This came following the important message from president Mubarak to president George bush in the past 24 hours.

reports from Washington, say Israeli prime minister ariel Sharon has cut short his visit to the united states and decided to return to Israel after the guerrilla operation which was reported to have taken place at Richion litcion village in Tel Aviv.

Sharon's decision to-return home came after the guerrilla operation which occurred during Sharon's meeting with president bush at the white house.

Following the meeting, Bush expressed disappointment over the guerrilla operation saying he would dispatch George tenet the director of the central intelligence agency to the Middle East for building a new Palestinian security force.

President Bush said he believes that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat d not serve the interests of his country.

Bush did not set a date for tenet's return, but speculation expected the step to be taken in the near future.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon following their meeting, Bush said tenet's main task would be to help build a unified, responsible and transparent Palestinian security apparatus and security force.

Asked what he means by a unified security force, Bush said he means a unified Palestinian security leadership and not six or seven leaders of a security forces.

Bush reiterated his position regarding the establishment the Palestinian state.

Sharon, on his part, asserted that it would be pre-mat, to talk about a Palestinian state now.

Sharon and bush not clear from the meeting and the statements made it whether the American president had agreed Sharon's request on not dealing with president Arafat and look for a new Palestinian leadership.

In his statements, Bush highlighted, however, the need for educational, health and security reform in the Palestinian authority.

Bush echoed his severe criticism for Arafat, asserting he was still disappointed in the Palestinian leader.

He underlined that the process of reforming the PA must start as soon as possible, asserting that there are contacts' Arab leaders on reforming the pa institutions.

Our mission is to convince the Saudis, Jordanians Egyptians that there reforms are very necessary, he said.

Sharon said he called bush to hold a conference on Middle East peace.

Ari Fleicher the white house spokesman said president bush believes that Arafat would be an indivisible part of any peace process as he is the leader who enjoys the support of the Palestinian people.

He said Bush would call on Sharon to take into account the bad conditions of the Palestinian people and the difficulties he is facing in his daily life.

Secretary of state Colin Powell said president bush administration has not yet crystallized an all-out vision of the solution.

Adding the proposed international conference could be followed by other meetings.

The past few hours witnessed intensive talks by the senior us administration officials with Sharon, the Saudi crown prince, and foreign minister and the Jordanian monarch.

At his meeting with president Bush, Sharon showered the Palestinian national authority and Saudi Arabia with criticism accusing Riyadh of financing guerrilla operations. But the state department defended Arabia.

On Sharon's peace plan, the Israeli minister of education said this plan involves four demands based on reaching long-term interim agreements.

She asserted that Arafat would not be a partner to negotiations adding the Israeli plan also involves the establishment of Israeli security zones in the west bank and leaving the Israeli settlements as they are.

Previous Stories:
  Cheney voices appreciation of Mubarak's role in establishing Middle East peace   (5/2/2002)
  Maher, Powell discuss ME developments   (5/1/2002)
  Mubarak criticizes the US strongly   (5/1/2002)

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