Egypt, US to review regional issues

"The new administration of President George W. Bush is interested in being acquainted with President Hosni Mubarak's appraisal of the situation in the Middle East, "said an Egyptian diplomat.

Egyptian ambassador to Washington Nabil Fahmi added in an interview with Middle East New Agency that Egyptian and US officials would soon start exchanging visits to compare notes on bilateral and regional issues.

"A number of congress members are expected in Cairo in February," he said. Fahmi added that no dates had been set yet for official visits between the two sides.

He said that upon learning about last week's visit to Cairo by Iraqi vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan, officials at the outgoing Clinton administration had contacted the Egyptian embassy Washington and asked about the significance of the trip.

Fahmi disclosed that he had told that the US officials that Egypt was dealing with all peoples of the region and observing UN Resolutions.

He said that the new administration officials had not approached the Embassy on the same topic.

"The economic development of Egyptian -Iraqi ties does not constitute a violation of the UN Security Council resolutions,"he said.

On concerns that the Bush Administration would adopt a tougher stand against Baghdad, Fahmi said that the Administration comprised highly experienced military and political. officials and expected them to soundly appraise the regional situation.

The Egyptian diplomat ruled out that the Middle East peace process would be put on hold as a new administration is taking over in the US.

Citing recent remarks by Secretary of State Colin Powell on Middle East peace pursuit, Fahmi said that the new US Administration would be more comprehensive about handling regional peace process.

"It is natural that the new administration would take some time before moving effectively."

Fahmi said that outgoing US President Bill Clinton had made"distinguished efforts" to push forward the peace process though these endeavors proved fruitless.

The Egyptian diplomat hoped that official negotiations would start this year between Egypt and the US to seal a free trade agreement.

"Egypt will promptly start contacts with the new administration and the congress to enter in free trade negotiations."

Fahmi told Middle East News Agency that generally speaking the Clinton Administration dithered, due to congressional pressure, to start free trade talks with world countries.

He, however, saw a framework agreement reached between Egypt and Clinton Administration as signaling intent towards free trade links.

He expected that the Bush Administration would be "more flexible and better positioned" to start free trade negotiations in the near future.

Fahmi ruled that a final report on probes into a crash of an Egyptian airliner in late 1999 would be released before February,if not later.

All 217 people aboard the plane were killed when it fatally plunged into the Atlantic ocean less than one hour after take-off from New York on October 31, 1999.

"The delay in issuing the report, which was due in November,was prompted by the necessity of finalizing some aspects of investigation," he said.

He added that Egypt had expressed reservations over responses from Boeing, the manufacturer of the ill-fated plane, on circumstances which surrounded the crash.

On the other hand ,the choice by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan of Nabil Fahmi to chair an international consultative committee on disarmament is a recognition of Egypt important role within the UN, particularly with regard to disarmament issues which are very crucial for international peace and security, a highranking diplomat said on Sunday.

"The Committee, set up by Annan, consists of top international experts on disarmament,".

"Ambassador Fahmi was chosen as chairman of the committee for one year because he is one of the most notable experts on disarmament in general and nuclear disarmament in particular, added the diplomat.