Egypt, US to resume strategic dialogue
Egypt-USA, Politics, 7/29/2004

Egypt and the US agreed Wednesday to resume strategic dialogue, said Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, at a joint press conference held with his US counterpart Colin Powell yesterday.

The two sides agreed to continue consultations over an array of issues of mutual concern, at the sidelines of the coming session of the United Nations General Assembly, due in September.

Abul Gheit termed his talks with Powell as "fruitful" adding that they dwelt on the situation in Palestine, Iraq and Sudan, along with bilateral ties.

At a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, the Egyptian top diplomat said the two sides are determined to resume the Middle East peace process and set the theatre for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and bringing into effect the Palestinian initiative to help achieve the withdrawal.

Asked about fears that the US-British scenario in Iraq could be repeated in Sudan whose stability is of greatest importance to the Egyptian national security, Abul Gheit said there is an international concern over the situation in Darfur and the international community is willing to stop any conflicts there and help inhabitants of Darfur and the Sudanese citizens.

He added that there is an international understanding of the critical situation in Darfur.

Abul Gheit and Powell probed means of extending assistance to the Sudanese government and people as well as resuming work through diplomatic channels represented in the African Union.

In this context, Abul Gheit underlined the importance of giving more time to the Sudanese government to enable it carry out its obligations.

Abul Gheit said the pressure of the international community on Sudan over the humanitarian crisis there emanates from fear that the country could plunge into a catastrophe similar to those which plagued other African nations.

The Egyptian diplomat also asserted to Powell that the Sudanese government was exerting all possible efforts in this respect.

As regards the Palestinian cause, Abul Gheit said Egypt is contacting the Palestinians in order to restore stability there.

The Egyptian top diplomat said Egypt insists that Israel should fully withdraw from Gaza and that the withdrawal should thoroughly comply with the Roadmap Plan. The Egyptian foreign minister also explained that Egypt was ready to contribute to rebuilding Palestinian infrastructure to assist the Palestinians run their own affairs inside Gaza.

He said: "We are confident that the recent agreement between Palestinian President Yassar Arafat and his Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei will find its way towards implementation."

ÊÊÊ Responding to a question on the Egyptian reform process, Abul Gheit said Egypt continues its reform process, which he described as a vital and renewable modernization process" all over the past years.

He asserted that Egypt was working in accordance with plans that comply with its economic and social resources. Abul Gheit pointed out that the new Egyptian government was determined to continue its plans.

On his part, Powell described his talks with Abul Gheit as very good, noting that they came following his talks with President Hosni Mubarak earlier in the day.

He also voiced satisfaction over his talks with prime Minister Ahmed Nazif in which Nazif asserted the Egyptian government's keenness on going ahead with its economic reform.

Powell also said he tackled with Abul Gheit issues concerning the ME peace process and the situation in Iraq.

The US Secretary of State praised Egypt's readiness to train Iraqi security elements in order to enable the Iraqis to protect themselves and their properties and build a stable and democratic Iraq.

He described the situation in Darfur as very critical, saying that the international community, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations were deeply worried about the situation in Darfur.

He said he had visited the region and witnessed the suffering of people there.

He believed that the Sudanese government should be given more time to implement its pledges, sounding the alarm that the people suffering there would not be able to withstand for long any impending famine and disease.

He said this is the motive which pushed the international community to exercise pressure on the Sudanese government to guarantee it would honour its obligations and allow humanitarian aid to be dispatched.

Powell also noted that Sudan should do its best to stop the Janjaweed militia in order not to harm the security and stability in the region.

He added that he discussed the crisis in Darfur with President Mubarak and his foreign minister who affirmed that Egypt would work within the context of the international community which he hoped would encourage Sudan to do its best to settle the problem.

Concerning the US policy over the past years, Powell said the US was working on alleviating sanctions and not imposing or expanding them, adding that Washington was also working to enhance reconciliation in Sudan which so far led a peace agreement between the north and south of Sudan.

He said the suffering of the Sudanese people has pushed Washington to refer a draft resolution on Sudan to the UN Security Council.

Replying to a question on his talks with Mubarak as regards the Palestinian cause, Powell highlighted the importance of benefiting from the opportunity to be made available through the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and from four settlements on the West Bank.

Powell reiterated that all these moves should be carried out within the context of the Roadmap Plan, devised by the Quartet, and in line with the principle that the final status on the Palestinian-Israeli track should be determined through negotiations.

In this respect, Powell said the Palestinian side should take responsible action, expressing hope that a security reform agreement reached between Arafat and his Prime Minister Qurei would be implemented on the ground.

He also voiced hope that Egypt would assist efforts exerted in this respect and work side by side with other parties.

On Iraq, Powell said there is still a chance to meet the dates set for completing the political process and hold elections in Iraq.

Powell voiced belief that additional troops were needed to secure the UN mission which would play and important role in the political process there.

Concerning relations between Egypt and the US, Powell believed they were headed for the right direction.

He also voiced satisfaction over the hearing of resuming strategic dialogue between the two countries.

Previous Stories:
  Abu al-Gheit meets al-Qathafi; Powel to meet Mubarak on Wednesday   (7/26/2004)
  American congress rejects a proposal to reduce aids to Egypt   (7/16/2004)
  American Congressmen calls for reduction of aids to Egypt, punishing Saudi Arabia   (7/16/2004)

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