Asking Cairo to release spy Azzam; Egypt rejects Sharon's statements on its role over the peace process
Egypt-Israel, Politics, 8/5/2003

Cairo has strongly responded to what was announced by the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon to that Egypt's role in the peace process is linked to releasing the Israeli spy Azzam Azzam, who is spending a life imprisonment penalty in Egypt.

The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Maher said that Egypt's role is decided by history and geography and its position in the region rather than Sharon, calling not to turn back to such statements which he considered as "not realistic." Maher said that the Egyptian judiciary had its say on the Azzam issue and no body has the right to interfere in this issue. He added that Egypt is not ready also to discuss this matter which is only the specialty of the judiciary in Egypt.

On the possible return of the Egyptian ambassador to Israel, Maher stressed that this is decided by Egypt itself and a decision to that effect will be taken in light of what President Mubarak sees serving the interests of Egypt and the peace process in the region.

Worthy mentioning that Egypt has summoned its ambassador to Tel Aviv since November 2000 in protest of the Israeli occupation practices following the eruption of the Palestinian Intifada.

The Egyptian security forces had arrested Azzam Azzam who is a ( Durzi ) in 1996. In August 1997 he was sentenced to life labor imprisonment after being convicted of being spying for Israel. Azzam is spending his penalty in a single cell in Turra jail to the southern east of Cairo.

Previous Stories:
  Sharon: Egypt's role is linked to releasing Azzam   (8/4/2003)
  Israel's wall, says Israel not ready yet to accept Palestinian state   (8/2/2003)
  Egypt: No decision for returning the Ambassador to Tel Aviv   (7/29/2003)

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