Mubarak works for peacemaking salvage

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's Political Advisor Ossama E1 Baz Wednesday said that summit meetings held by Mubarak this week and different contacts were designed to rescue the peacemaking process.

Responding to questions of diplomatic reporters at the Foreign Ministry, E1 Baz said the peacemaking process is experiencing a serious crisis, adding that if there is no way out of this crisis the region would face dire consequences.

Mubarak is consulting with Arab leaders through direct phone contacts, meetings and messages, the official said.

He added that the Egyptian leader is contacting heads of countries concerned including the US and Mubarak has sent US President George W. Bush five successive messages as well as phone contacts.

According to E1 Baz, the President contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin and a number of EU leaders and their representative Javier Solana.

"These contacts were designed to underline the necessity of resuming the peacemaking process rather than a ceasefire, calm or a halt to violence," he explained.

This process starts with implementation of Mitchell report and George Tenet memorandum of understanding but without giving Israel the right to rule whether the Palestinian party is committed to the ceasefire or not, he said.

"The Israeli party should not be the judge," he added.

Baz ruled out the possibility of achieving a 100 per cent security, calling for linking between the cooling-off policies and trust-building measures, as mentioned in Mitchell report and the pressing ahead with the resumption of peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

E1 Baz expressed hope that the US would respond to these efforts.

"We hope and have expectations that they (efforts) will be enhanced through tangible moves in the coming period."