Mubarak in Yedioth Ahronoth interview warns of turning Gaza into 'huge prison'
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 8/20/2005

In an exclusive interview granted to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, President Hosni Mubarak asserted that Israel's pullout from Gaza marks a step that should be followed by other steps. Excerpts:

* The economic aid to the Palestinians in Gaza is the best guarantee for stability, and end of violence.

* The Palestinian citizen should not feel that he lives in prison.

* If Israel closes all checkpoints, the Palestinian citizen would feel he lives in a huge prison, and this would eventually end him up to violence.

* It is not wise that the Israelis leave their Palestinian neighbours suffer from hunger. Rather it is important to provide opportunities for jobs, education and decent life.

* The entire international community is responsible, and Israel should assist the Palestinians, as stability in Gaza is in their interest.

* Egypt did all in the realm of its possibility, and urges some Arab states to help the Palestinians as well. However, Israel should assume the largest part of assistance.

* It would be better that Israel leaves the houses in the settlements without demolishing them.

* I'd say to settlers: Go to Israel that would provide you with safer houses and you can therefore become friends to the Palestinians.

* The recent attacks on Sharm el-Sheikh do not mean that Sinai is not safe.

* No region in the world is safe a 100 percent.

* Immediately after the incident I went to Sharm el-Sheikh, and met a British tourist, and asked him whether he'd cut short his trip in Sinai, but the tourist answered that London itself suffered from blasts.

* The Egyptian authorities have adopted very strict security measures, and they provide full-scale security to any foreigner in Sinai.

* "Gaza only" will result in a lot of problems, and the politicians must be aware of every word spelled out.

* The Israelis have done a good step, but it must be followed by others.

* All problems could be solved through negotiations, understanding and good intentions.

* I hope that Sharon would succeed in realising his ideas, and I think that he has constructive ideas in the interest of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, and the entire region.

* The next step is to move to negotiations on the West Bank and the borders.

* Israel should give the chance to the Palestinians for importation through the seaport. An active economy is the best guarantee for stability.

* Only God knows who will win the coming presidential election in Egypt.

Previous Stories:
  Abul-Gheit sends message to Palestinian counterpart   (8/18/2005)
  Mubarak and Abu Mazen discuss Israeli withdrawal from Gaza   (8/16/2005)
  Barak in Cairo for talks with Mubarak   (8/16/2005)
  Mubarak: Israelis need to follow Gaza disengagement with Roadmap implementation   (8/16/2005)
  al-Gomhurieh: Egypt to deploy 750 soldiers for securing frontiers with Gaza   (8/15/2005)
  Al-Ahram: Understanding on Philadelphia border passage with Israel   (8/12/2005)

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