US praises Egypt's support for int'l drive against terrorism

Edward Walker former US Assistant Secretary of State and Head of the Middle East Institute for Middle East Affairs, who is now visiting Egypt lauded the Egyptian supportive stance of international efforts for fighting terrorism.

Walker, a former US assistant secretary of state, said that Egypt's criticism by some Congressmen does not express the stance of US President George Bush or the US administration.

Walker, whose visit comes as part of a tour of the region, underlined, at a meeting with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo, the importance of boosting the international coalition against terrorism.

The US will help revive the economies of those countries affected by the recent terrorist acts, said Walker.

Moreover, Walker said that the American administration was doing its best to reach an understanding between the Palestinians and Israelis.

What is happening in the Palestinian territories cannot be accepted and must be halted, added Walker.

He called for resuming peace talks immediately and solving the Palestinian issue to put an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people.

President George W. Bush has been focusing on direct contacts with the Palestinians besides a focus on home issues.

Walker said that matters got worse and problems started to mount after the election of Ariel Sharon as Prime Minister of Israel.

He stressed the importance of distinguishing between terrorism and the legitimate resistance, pointing out that resistance meant confronting occupation and terrorism meant killing innocent people.

The former US official regretted the murder of a large number of Palestinians in the recent confrontations with occupation troops.