Egypt lowers hopes of convening an Arab summit

Egyptian diplomatic sources said that Cairo has slowed down its moves and its enthusiasm toward calling for convening a pan-Arab summit with the participation of Iraq, while it had earlier had the hope to convene it next autumn.

Well-informed sources told the Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am that Cairo was dissatisfied with the Iraqi position, especially after the Iraqi government repeated its old sayings of pride in the Um al-Ma'rek (Mother of Battles), in reference to the war against Kuwait and in invading Kuwait in August of 1990.

The paper was also told that the recent Iraqi stances created a disappointment towards the possibility of a change in the policies, language and policy of Iraq, a matter which was considered by the Egyptian sources as providing justification for other sides to continue their campaigns against Iraq and for its siege, the only sufferers of which are the people of Iraq.