El-Baz shows cautious optimism about Barak's policies

Osama El-Baz , the Egyptian president's political advisor, has stated the importance of giving Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak the chance to prove his good intentions towards the Palestinians, especially after Barak's statements that he can guarantee the support of 70% of the Israeli people for establishing a Palestinian state and for withdrawal from Golan and south Lebanon within 15 months.

During his meeting with students from Egyptian universities at the camp of Alexandria University Club, El-Baz said yesterday that the leadership of the Israeli Labor Party views it as in the interest of Israel for Egypt to be the pioneer of the region, adding that Barak differs from his predecessor Benjamin Netanyahu, especially with the Arabs.

Baz said that Barak believes in the right of the Palestinians to establish their state on the condition that this state can not threaten the security of Israel.