Ben Eliezer statements after meeting Mubarak
Egypt-Israel, Politics, 7/17/2002

Following his meeting with President Mubarak, Israel's Defense Minister Benyamin Ben Eliezer gave press statements in which he said his meeting with the President was constructive and fruitful and a chance to explain to the President the situation in Israel.

He said on Monday that this is time in which anyone who is interested in maintaining stability in the Middle East should work for halting Palestinian suicide attacks.

He said he told the President that he believed that the Palestinian Israeli problem was nearly out of control and this is shameful to stability of the Middle East.

Ben Eliezer said Egypt had an important role, maybe the most important, in activating the peace process.

"The reality that unfolded after the Israeli operations in Palestinian areas, US President George Bush's speech on the Middle East, the Saudi initiative and other matters, have created a reality that requires a change in the Palestinian reality," he added.

He told the President that the two issues of concern to Israel are to succeed in the elimination of terrorist organizations and guarantee that the money is received by the right target.

"All other issues are linked to these two matters, then one can proceed forward," he added.

"President Mubarak has 'almost' accepted the Israeli analysis and has agreed to support and assist the parties to activate the process, and this may be the main achievement," he said.

"He also agreed to the view that matters had to proceed forward, which entails a remarkable curb in ''terrorism and then start a process that would lead to calm," Eliezer added.

"The President also definitely agreed that instead of continuing discussions and controversies on the need for Arafat, work must begin with other Palestinian people who live there, and on this matter, there is some sort of agreement", he said.

Other topics discussed at the Mubarak-Eliezer meeting were Hizbullah, Syria, Iran and Iraq and bilateral issues, the Israeli Defense Minister said.

He said he believed the talks were very good and useful and that they provided the opportunity to exchange views.

It seems that the goal that was set today when he came here was that Egypt continues to help "us in this march", that it will continue to do so and that it places all its potentials to fight terrorism, he said.

"Concerning the Palestinian leadership, whether an agreement existed or not, Palestinians must have a clear goal, namely a Palestinian leadership through which we can steer this march," he added.

Answering a question on whether the current situation, if worsened, would constitute a regional problem, Ben Eliezer, said that if there are any worries, they are related to regional security and stability in the Middle East.

The Israeli Minister of Defense expressed belief that this issue is of concern to both Egypt and Israel and therefore a way should be sought to push up the (peace) process.

Answering another question on the stance on the Palestinian leadership, Ben Eliezer said that the Israelis do not like to create a leadership since the leadership is there.

But what could be done is to encourage somebody or ignore somebody, as he said.

Answering a question on the peace process, he said that the Egyptians would like to push forward the process to the right track and the Israelis would like to pressure so that a local leadership would take over and start guaranteeing security and calm in the region.

Ben Eliezer described his talks with President Mubarak as fruitful and constructive.

Ben Eleizer voiced belief that an experimental or initial plan for easing the situation means that violence and terrorism may ebb through pressing the parties concerned to support the plan.

He added that as a military man, he sees no military solution to the conflict and hopes an agreement would be reached for re-launching negotiations.

Asked about an Israeli agreement with the US administration to freeze the ceasefire till the end of American elections, Ben Eliezer said he heard nothing about this.

Ben Eliezer claimed that he, in his capacity as the Minister of Defence, would back the Palestinians as soon as has senses that they are exerting efforts to calm down the situation.

It is in Israel's best interest to co-exist with the Palestinians in peace, said Ben Eliezer.

He reiterated keenness on putting an end to the conflict no matter how much time it takes.

Ben Eliezer said it is time for everybody to care about security of the region as the Palestinian-Israeli issue has gone out of control and turned into a huge obstacle jeopardizing regional security.

On regional stability, Ben-Eliezer said that it means that Hizbullah operations should be controlled and prevented from going to the fringe of war, noting that Egypt has a major role to play within this context.

He hailed President Mubarak's great efforts, adding that they reached an agreement on some points.

Ben-Eliezer said that despite disagreement over other points, this does not prevent attempts to reach an agreement and settlement.

Asked how Israel boasts its democracy while seeking to replace Arafat, Ben-Eliezer said he came to Egypt representing Israel not the Israeli Labor Party.

Ben-Eliezer said that he came to Egypt to explore potential contributions he could give on the ground.

The manner in which the Palestinian president deals with his people has led to a deteriorated situation, claimed Ben-Eliezer

He alleged that the Israelis can never continue sitting over the fence watching the Palestinians' suffering not because of Israel but rather because of Arafat.

"May be it is time to know that Former Israeli Premier Ehud Barak offered about 97 percent of territories to the Palestinians and solutions to many pending issues but those solutions were turned down," he said.

Ben-Eliezer underestimated any contradiction between leading Israeli opposition Labor Party and serving as defence minister in Sharon's coalition.

He reiterated his conviction that there was no military solution to the conflict.

The only solution is the political one to be reached via negotiating a settlement on peaceful co-existence, Ben-Eliezer said.

Asked how the Palestinian Authority (PA) can carry out its duties while under siege, Ben-Eliezer alleged that to end the siege, what he termed as suicide operations, must stop.

He hoped to persuade major countries such as Egypt to continue the road slowly but steadily.

The meeting was attended by field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, the Minister of defence and military production.

Previous Stories:
  Israeli Labor's peace plan, Ben Eliezer talks with Mubarak   (7/16/2002)
  Al Baz confers with Israel's Burg   (7/16/2002)
  Israel's defense minister to present peace plan during talks with Mubarak   (7/15/2002)

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