In aftermath of Luxor massacre: doubtful initiative to stop violence
Egypt, Politics, 12/3/1997

In the aftermath of the massacre that spilled much blood on the Luxor Plateau, and after many changes among Egyptian security officials, the fundamentalist groups in Britain declared an initiative to stop the violence. The groups issued a statement to ease tourist fears saying that they will not carry out any violent operation against the tourists in Egypt.

The official spokesman of the Marsad (Watching) Islamic Information Group, Yasser Al Serry, who was sentenced to death in absentia in Egypt stated that mediation run by an Egyptian journalist between Egyptian officials and the group which started after the massacre in front of the Egyptian Museum two months ago was resumed after the Luxor massacre.

Sources said that the Egyptian government placed a condition on starting negotiations with these groups, which is that the militant groups should declare a stop to violence and abandon their arms. They should also issue a statement that assures the public of their peaceful intentions and put tourists and investors at ease about Egypt.

Meanwhile, there was talk that the groups' initiative was begun on conditions, among which were the request for the government to allow some of the terrorists who are in Britain to return to Egypt and a pledge that they will be considered for pardon, also that the government will ease the restrictions imposed on the Islamist politicians while they work for the public interest in all fields, including security.

This is considered the third initiative in 4 months. The first one was in August after the explosions of the Banks as the leaders of the Gamaa Islamya (Islamic Group) declared that they would stop all acts of violence in Egypt after about 17 years of struggle with the Egyptian security forces.

This initiative was signed by Aboud Al Zomour, Karam Zohdy, Nagih Ibrahim, Hamdy Abdul Rahman, Fouad Al Dawaliby, and Aly Al Sherif and was sent from their prison cells. The second initiative came after the massacre that occurred in front of the Egyptian Museum, but it totally stopped before it could take effect.

It is worth noting that these are not the first initiatives to stop violence, as these initiatives were preceded by many contacts which aimed to reach reconciliation which would achieve the same results for both the government and the involved groups. The most famous contacts were those carried out by the former Minister of Interior Gen. Abdel Halim Moussa with Aboud Al Zomour, the most distinct symbol of the Gamaa Islamya. The failure of these contacts to achieve any positive results is believed to have been the main reason for sacking the former minister.

Reactions towards the recent contacts with the Islamic groups in Britain greatly differed. Foreign Minister Amr Moussa refuted such news and ruled out the existence of any negotiations with the Egyptian terrorist groups, "We cannot hold any negotiations with the terrorists. No excuses could be given to them under any circumstances." No Egyptian citizen -- whether an official or not -- may deal with those who masterminded the attacks against the innocent, he said. The Egyptian Embassy in Britain declined to comment on the news of the mediation.

But sources close to the groups believed that this initiative might lead to a halt in violence.

A member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Kamal Al Helbawy, who is a fugitive in London expressed his doubts toward the intentions of the Egyptian government and called for more serious negotiations and establishing a timetable for those negotiations.

What is certain is that there are some attempts to discuss the stances from both sides, but reaching an agreement is a remote possibility. There is a strong impression in Egypt that news about such negotiations always precedes a new terrorist attack masterminded by the negotiators themselves or by other group members who want to undermine the negotiations before they lead to any satisfactory results.

Previous Stories:
  Gamaa Islamia: Luxor attack carried out without approval of leaders   (12/2/1997)
  Egyptian security forces crack down on terrorists   (10/17/1997)
  Egypt interior minister refuses dialogue with extremists   (9/8/1997)

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