Moussa: African summit achieves goals, shows confidence in Algeria
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 7/15/1999

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa described the 35th Organization of African Unity summit, which concluded its work yesterday in Algeria, as achieving positive results in African cooperation and solving the conflicts that prevail in some African countries as well as African cooperation in combating terrorism.

Moussa added that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's meeting with Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir on the sidelines of the summit reflects the improvement in relations between Egypt and Sudan, adding that the coming stage will witness mutual visits by officials in the two states.

On reports of opposition to Egypt's request to join the Arab Maghreb Union by a member of the union, Moussa said, "We have reviewed these reports. It was said that Tunisia is objecting, but top-level Tunisian officials have assured us that they support the Egyptian request."

Egypt's membership has been delayed because the UMA had not convened for years, Amr Moussa explained adding that this issue will be settled during the union's coming meeting.

The UMA, set up in 1989 by Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia, has actually been paralyzed for years due to strained relations between Morocco and Algeria over the Sahara issue and due to Libya's criticism of the attitude adopted by the other UMA members in the Lockerbie crisis opposing Tripoli to western countries. Recent developments in the Maghreban region, especially the settlement of the Lockerbie issue -- after Libya handed over two Libyan nationals to stand trial in the Netherlands on charges of blowing up a U.S. airliner over Scotland in which 270 people were killed in 1988-- and the election of a new president in Algeria, helped reactivate the Maghreban process.

President Bouteflika announced recently in a statement to the press that Egypt will take part in the upcoming Maghreban summit.

Moussa added that the big participation in the OAU Summit is a sign that all want to back Algeria and help it overcome the past negative developments. He described the security situation in Algeria as "very good", taking into account that 42 leaders participated in the Summit.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak speaks on Egypt becoming a full member in the Arab-Maghreb union   (7/14/1999)
  Bouteflika - Mubarak talks lead to strong Algerian - Egyptian economic ties   (7/14/1999)
  Moussa: Egypt will not oppose Libya's suggestion convening exceptional African summit   (7/14/1999)
  Mubarak wants execution of agreements from al-Bashir   (7/14/1999)

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