Mubarak discusses Mideast developments in Amman, Damascus
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 6/19/2002

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said that he will discuss the Mideast situation and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in particular, with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during his visit on Wednesday to Amman and Damascus.

Mubarak said that he will brief the two Arab leaders on his talks held in Washington and Camp David with U.S. President George Bush and his aides as well as those held with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In statements to editors in-chief of the Egyptian newspapers and MENA , while en route to Amman, President Mubarak said he will hold talks with King Abdullah and President al-Assad on developments in the area and ideas on how to find a way out of the present crisis.

In statements to editors in chief of the Egyptian newspapers and MENA Chairman, Mubarak re-emphasised that violence will not end the conflict neither will it bring about security.

"I have always been frankly announcing what I really believe in for I never fear any blame in, saying the truth.

I always put facts before all parties so long as this is in the interest of the nation and we have no secrets to hide," said the president.

I was keen to announce in Washington in press statement what I talked about with President George Bush and his aides.

I insisted to say it in Arabic in order to avoid any misunderstanding, misinterpretation or mistranslation, he added.

Mubarak said the principle he embraces as far as the Palestinian-Israeli struggle settlement is concerned is the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.

The final touches to the demarcation lines of the future borders should be agreed upon by the two sides together with other issues such as security and family reunifications, he added.

Elaborating on his visit to Washington, Mubarak said he exchanged several messages and telephone calls with President Bush. But President Bush was keen for us to meet face to face in order to exchange views over a set of issues related to the conflict, the president added.

I pointed out that violence and military acts will not end the problem and that getting rid of Arafat is a violation of a basic value we adopt and work for, namely democracy, Mubarak said.

He said he reminded Bush that former US president Jimmy Carter chaired the committee that supervised the election of Arafat as chairman of the Palestinian Authority.

He added that he told Bush bluntly that we should remain away from this matter because it will be interpreted as an interference in affairs that have been already endorsed by the Palestinian people.

On the reported temporary Palestinian state, president Mubarak said he heard about this idea only in the Israeli newspapers and some US papers.

It might be referring to temporary borders pending the establishment of the Palestinian state in its final form via negotiations and in accordance with the international terms of reference, said Mubarak.

Once this is approved, the world will recognise the Palestinian state, he said.

Without negotiations there will be no solution. These negotiations should have a clear-cut framework and a timeline conducive to a final settlement, he added.

Some sides, like (Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon believe that the solution is reachable by breaking the will of the Palestinian people by military means, said Mubarak.

But I say this is a mistaken understanding of the realities. Some others believe that security is attainable by building defensive walls .

But we are confident that security is recognizable only via fair peace and negotiations, Mubarak argued.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak discusses with Solana, Burns Middle East peace   (6/1/2002)
  Proposed Middle East conference raise questions   (5/29/2002)
  35 years of the life of The Organization of African Unity (OAU)   (5/25/2002)

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