Mubarak -Chirac talks dwell on terrorism-combat, Palestinian cause

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jacques Chirac maintain their consultations via messages visits and contacts said Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher late Sunday.

Speaking to reporters, Maher said Mubarak and Chirac would discuss the attacks on the US and the ideal way to combat terrorism.

"The two leaders will also address the Palestinian cause that only sees recurrent violence against the Palestinian people and resistance," said Maher, highlighting a desire to move this issue positively.

"The US, which had at first refrained from meddling in this issue, has now the readiness to move," said Maher.

"It is only natural that Mubarak and Chirac meet to coordinate stances and exchange views" he said.

On Egypt's view of the best way to fight international terrorism, Maher said the ideal solution for terrorism-combat is for every country to take, inside its lands, measures not to house terrorists and not to allow them to practice any activities. This, added Maher, should streamline into a joint international effort.

"No one should be excluded from this international effort because this will hold the door open for abandoning responsibilities," said the foreign minister.

An international conference should be, therefore, organized, said Maher.

If there are other ideas we are ready to listen, he added.

Maher reiterated Egypt's solidarity with the US , adding that France and others asserted that if the aim of the proposed alliance was to participate in military operations, this would require the approval of the parliament.

He denied any disagreement in viewpoints between Egypt, France, the US or any other party that desires to combat terrorism.

"When the aim is one we set together and consult," said Maher, adding that this is a confirmation of a common desire to fight terrorism.

"Egypt sympathizes, consolidates with and backs every one who fights terrorism," said Maher, stressing that the country suffered greatly from terrorism and recalling attempts on the lives of the country's president and premier.

Asked by MENA whether the Middle East conflict was one of the reasons of terrorism, Maher called for addressing tension flashpoints in the world, the most important among which being the Middle East issue and the Israeli practices and occupation of Palestinian lands.

Whether the American call for both the Palestinians and Israelis to ceasefire and for Israel to withdraw its forces was an American tactic to pacify Arabs or a genuine start for real American interest in the Middle East and a change in its approach, Maher said Egypt was the first to tell the Americans of their mistake in discarding the Middle East issue.

He expressed conviction that the US, which is concerned with settling things to secure a world backing to its campaign against terrorism, must work hard to find solution to the Middle East problem and other numerous world problems.

Responding to a question by MENA on whether the US can pressure Israel to settle the Middle East case Maher said the US should, is entitled to and capable of demonstrating to Israel the gravity of its policies.

"With its intervention, the US has come to the realization what happened and is happening in the occupied Palestinian lands are a result of the Israeli policies," he said.

Asked whether Egypt feared that areas in the region other than Afghanistan would be hit, Maher echoed President Mubarak's warning that any target must be clearly identified and that reactions must not reach innocent civilians.

This is our stance that he conveyed to the United States, he asserted.

Maher ruled out that the US would hit civilians within circumstance where it needs world backing and knows that expanding the scope of confrontation would negatively impact its aim to secure international solidarity with its terrorism-combat campaign.

Asked if Egypt had conveyed this stance to Washington, Maher said President Mubarak is exchanging messages and phone calls with US President George Bush.

On whether Egypt had received any American responses or remarks with respect to this stance, Maher said the country received thanking for its and President Mubarak's stance and for solidarity and sympathy with the United States.