Hectic contacts for peace by Egyptian foreign minister Maher
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher Saturday said he has been holding contacts since 3 A.M on Saturday with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
He said he also contacted Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, EU Foreign and Security Relations Coordinator Javier Solana, EU Mideast Peace Envoy Miguel Moratinos and Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Ellah A1 Khatib.
Maher said, "Egypt has earlier stressed its condemnation of any attacks against civilians, Palestinians or Israelis."
"But we have to take into account that the number of the Palestinian civilians killed by Israelis surpassed those that have fallen dead on the Israeli side, so the source of violence is already known," Maher said.
Egypt stressed that occupation in itself is violence and that arbitrary measures beget frustration and despair, would resulting in unsatisfactory acts when it comes to civilians on the two sides, and to some excesses in the mode of resistance, Maher said.
"However, these excesses are not be acceptable or justified to Egypt," he added.
He underlined the importance of paving the way for resumption of negotiations, adding that he asked Peres to avoid any reaction that would fuel tension in the region.
"We are trying to help open the road to negotiations once again in order to put an end to this serious situation in the region," Maher said.
Maher stressed, "this is the only way to end the tragic events in the region."
Maher termed as important the statements made by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat after his meeting with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer in which he stressed his keenness on the lives of both Palestinian and Israeli civilians alike.
"Egypt wants Israel to realise that its excessive use of violence would lead to more counter attacks. The current situation should be wisely and politically dealt with," Maher said.
Maher said he asked every one he contacted to work on ending the current deterioration in the region.
"I hope that the Friday night's attack will alert those who think they can separate between political work and security," Maher said.
"Israel's peace will be realised only through peace. And peace cannot be achieved unless it is fair and comprehensive. A fair and comprehensive peace should be based on legitimacy resolutions and the Madrid terms of reference," Maher said.
Maher urged Israel not to skirt its ceasefire declaration and to put its words into action.
Words are not enough. The Israelis should move in the right direction in order to avoid more human losses, he said.
Maher said the phone call About the phone call he received Friday night from Powell,revealed the American administration's concern about the Mideast region.
"There is a US intention to carry on with efforts to bring about peace in the region," Maher said.
"What is important to us is that the Egyptian contacts would contribute to American efforts towards the long aspired goal of finding a peaceful settlement through negotiations," Maher said.
Asked about statements by some Israeli officials who slammed Egypt for terming Israeli aggression on the Palestinians as use of excessive force, Maher said "I will not waste my time in commenting on these statements which contain skewed information".
"We know and they, (the Israelis), also know as well as the entire world that there is an imbalance in power between the two sides," Maher said.
Maher said the Israelis are fully aware that Egypt stands against any aggression on the Palestinians, but at the same time it condemns any attack on civilians both sides.
"So the only solution is to resume negotiations in accordance with UN resolutions," Maher said.
About the European role, Maher said it has developed for better over the past period, adding that he will have talks with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Monday.