Washington should be more decisive with Israel

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said peace is coming as it promotes the interests of all peoples. He said the Israeli people would not allow the current government to hinder moves towards peace as this would maintain security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

Maher said in statements to Egyptian TV. that peace will go ahead, adding peoples mainly the Israeli one are eager for peace.

He said the speech given by Secretary of State Colin Powell in which he spoke about Palestinian cause, contained many positive aspects as he clearly said that the problem lies in the occupation which should not be continued.

He called on the United States to be more decisive towards the Israeli practices adding US Envoy Anthony Zinni got a plan of action from the Palestinian side but Zinni received nothing from the Israeli side.

Maher said he did not believe that Washington gave green light to Sharon to launch his military campaign against the Palestinian National Authority (PNA); he said it is not logical that the United States, which works for establishing peace, would allow the Israeli government to sustain its hostile behavior.

He said efforts exerted by Egypt should bear their fruits adding President Mubarak's efforts would ultimately lead to the liberation of lands occupied in 1967, and the establishment of a Palestinian State with jerusalem as its capital.

Maher said the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) session in Doha earlier this week was positive and very successful.

It resulted in a strong and firm statement that contained the basic principles that Egypt supports and calls for their implementation.