Mubarak: Opportunity for peace should not be missed
Egypt-USA, Politics, 7/1/1999

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said today that Israel should halt its settlement activities in order to help create an atmosphere that is conducive to moving the peace process between the Palestinian and Israelis forward.

At a joint press conference with US President Bill Clinton, Mubarak said that there is currently an "opportunity that should not be missed" to advance the peace process, stressing that movement should occur on all peace tracks. He said that movement in one track helps the other track advance as well.

Mubarak said that the existing peace agreements should be "implemented fully and in good faith," reiterating the importance of Israel stopping settlement activities to help create an appropriate atmosphere.

Mubarak also criticized the timing of last week's Israeli attacks against the Lebanese infrastructure, calling for "maximum self-restraint in the crucial months ahead."

Mubarak added that his talks with Clinton focused on "matters of common concern," which included African issues; Kosovo, where Egypt will contribute to international forces; and terrorism, which Mubarak said will form the greatest threat in the coming century.

Mubarak said friendship with the United States is among the pillars of policy in Egypt.

On the issue of the return of Palestinian refugees, Clinton said that such a return would be affect by the nature of the peace agreement that is reached. He said that factors that are involved include how long the refugees have been away, where they originally came from, whether they want to return, and how much land the Palestinians have. He said that Jordan, whose population is more than half Palestinian, should be helped to build a better life for those who are there.

Clinton also said that a "negotiated peace based on mutual respect" is the best way to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinians, Israelis, and people of the region. He underlined the US view that the Wye memorandum should be implemented.

Clinton said that he believes that Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak can achieve peace where outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah failed because Barak is a stronger supporter of the Oslo process, who won a strong vote from the Israeli people and who appears to have assembled a large coalition that agrees on the issue of peace.

On the issue of Iraq, Mubarak said that Egypt is trying to "help the people of Iraq" by any means possible. Mubarak said he foresees an improvement in that area in the near future.

However, Mubarak emphasized that Egypt believes that any change in the Iraqi government should come from inside Iraq and without external interference.

Mubarak is concluding a six-day visit to the United States, during which he met with a number of high-ranking US officials and members of the US Congress.

Previous Stories:
  Indyk: Egypt strategic partner for US   (6/30/1999)
  Mubarak to meet with US officials today   (6/28/1999)
  Mubarak heads to Washington on Saturday   (6/24/1999)

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