Moussa: Netanyahu's refusal to attend Washington talks endangers peace
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 5/11/1998

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa confirmed this morning that the refusal of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attend Washington meetings concerning the peace process is a negative development for all sides, and he emphasized that Netanyahu gave a clear message to top U.S.officials.

Commenting on Netanyahu's refusal to go to Washington to continue discussing the U.S. initiative for rescuing the peace process, Moussa said: "All the parties have to reconsider their deeds and positions toward the necessary actions after the very serious and sorrowful crisis effecting the Middle East."

He added that there are no talks underway and that the current situation is very serious, where it cannot wait for London and Washington to hold meetings. Moussa emphasized that the current situation does not need any hasty responses, but calls for more serious steps to take the proper position dictated by the international political situations.

Concerning Washington's announcement regarding the necessity of the concerned parties solving their problems by themselves, Moussa said it will be a proper measure if it is taken, "but I don't believe that American will take this measure."

He said that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's approval of the U.S. initiative gives a clear image to the whole international community and the U.S. as the sponsor of this process of who is holding the process up, adding that Arafat is ready to deal with this initiative. Moussa said this is a proper policy, because Arafat's approval of the U.S. initiative, despite its lack of response to many Palestinian demands, has exposed the Israeli stance. For this reason the Palestinian leader's stance is proper.

Moussa said the current hatred is in the U.S. arena and we are waiting for the U.S. position toward the Israeli refusal, especially after Palestine accepted this initiative.

Moussa said that this new challenge posed by Netanyahu's refusal to attend the Washington meetings in addition to his stance regarding establishing a Palestinian state is destructive and can end everything.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian talks with Arab states to deal with Israeli position   (5/7/1998)
  Moussa: No progress in peace process unless Israel accepts U.S. initiative   (5/7/1998)
  Mubarak warns against violence as an alternative to peace   (4/3/1998)

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