Mubarak's contacts led to positive development in US stance-Maher
Egypt-USA, Politics, 5/14/2002

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher said that the contacts by President Mubarak, in particular, and Arab leaders, in general, led to positive development in the U.S. stance and the Palestinian side.

In an exclusive interview with "Good Morning, Egypt" program, due to be aired today, Maher said in drawing a comparison between the stance of U.S. in its early days in power and its stance now, one may find out that it desired to move after, it had observed the situation from faraway.

However, he added, "we are not satisfied with moving because we, sometimes, reject and approve these moves. This is why Mubarak's contacts target moving in these positive directions."

On the Egyptian activities on Middle East issue, Maher said that the coming period would witness intensive Egyptian diplomatic activities at the regional and international levels.

Maher noted that he will start, within the coming few days, a tour covering Russia, Lebanon, Greece and Ethiopia.

Talks with officials in these countries will take up the situation in the Middle East.

Maher will attend, during his visit to Lebanon, the first meeting of the Arab peace initiative follow-up committee.

In Greece, he will participate in the Euro-Mediterranean talks the' will be held on May 20-21.

Maher- will lead the Egyptian delegation to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) countries to be hosted by Addis Ababa on May 23-24.

On the Russian stance on the Middle East, Maher said he would listen to the Russian stance, on which Egypt would have its own vision.

On Beirut visit and Arab peace initiative committee meeting, Maher said that the first meeting of the committee would be of significance because it would discuss the recent developments after the recent Arab Summit.

He added that Beirut meeting would lay down a plan of action to support Previously made movement aimed at activating the joint Arab action.

On the Euro-Mediterranean an forum in Greece, Maher said " it is an important meeting that will complete the previous meetings, the recent of which was in Agadir, Morocco" . He added that all his visits came within the context of beefing up stances and reopening joint files.

As for his post opened visit to Britain, Maher said he would pay it by the next month.

On the weapons ship Israel said it had sunken Maher said he never heard of reports that Israel has sunk a weapons ship it alleges was bound to Gaza.

In statements, Maher said Israel can not achieve security and peace while it continues its criminal acts and insists on striking the Palestinian people. He wondered how Israel expects to get peace and security while it is practicing these policies. Israel has only itself to blame if there are incidents taking place, something which is a logical reaction to its aggressive policies.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak sends two messages to Bush, Sharon on developments in Palestine   (5/11/2002)
  Mubarak and Bush underline the need for sustaining efforts for solving Middle East crisis   (5/9/2002)
  Cheney voices appreciation of Mubarak's role in establishing Middle East peace   (5/2/2002)

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