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Monday, February 19, 2001
President Hosni Mubarak underlined the fact that there would be no peace or stability in the Middle East without a just solution to the Palestinian cause. "The Palestinian Intifada can be stopped only through appeasing the situation and marching towards peace," said the Egyptian leader, adding that the Palestinians are furious over the tight Israeli blockade and strangling economic conditions. "Intifada cools down and heats up according to the Israeli Reaction," said Mubarak in an interview with the Italian TV channel I, broadcast late Sunday on the occasion of his current visit to Italy. On the election of Israeli Likud party leader Ariel Sharon as the new premier, Mubarak said the prevailing impression about Sharon is that he is an aggressive man who does not really seek peace. "Things must not be rushed and ``we`` should wait until he assumes office to reveal his approach to the Palestinians," said Mubarak. Mubarak rejected, in his interview, calls for a ``neutral`` Egyptian stand between Palestinians and Israel, averring that Israel is the party occupying Palestinian territories and should not be supported to maintain its occupation. The Egyptian leader said his country is trying to help both Sides to iron out a reasonable solution so that peace can prevail the region but he asserted, "without any interference in the Palestinian decision-making process." Mubarak pressed for a lift of sanctions imposed on Libya, Stressing that the ten-year-old sanctions failed to yield Positively. Any problem with Libya can be settled through persuasion, dialogue and contacts, he added. The Egyptian president called on Europe to play a bigger role in the Middle East peacemaking drive, noting that it is in the best interest of Europe that stability be realized in the Middle East. Asked if he thinks the election of Sharon would be a hurdle to the peace process, President Mubarak said it is premature to say that, urging waiting until Sharon assumes power to judge his Policies. He recalled that Egypt signed a peace agreement with late Israeli ``hawkish`` premier menachem begin, adding that Sharon maybe able to achieve just peace with the Palestinians. On Sharon's pre-conditions that Intifada be stopped before Hammering out a peace agreement, President Mubarak described the pre-condition as ``tough``, elaborating that the Intifada is amanifestation of the Palestinian people's wrath. The Egyptian leader reminded that violence broke out after the signing of a peace agreement between the Palestinians and Israel, under Yitzhak Rabin. He recalled his warning to Rabin that there were extremists from both sides that do not wish to have a peace agreement signed and that he (Rabin) should expect violence. "After an explosion rocked Tel Aviv in the wake of the Agreement, late Rabin announced his diehard commitment to peace and his determination to carry on with the peace process, to the charging of extremists," said Mubarak. He said Egypt couldn't ask the Palestinians to stop the Intifada. The Palestinian people are the weak side that is being tortured, attacked, besieged, idle and their living conditions have become extremely intolerable, he added On his role as a major mediator in the Palestinian Israeli Peace negotiations, Mubarak described as ``totally wrong`` the Israelis` perception that Egypt should push the Palestinians to accept what the Israelis seek. He underlined keenness on securing Peace and stability as a target. "There can never be any peace or stability unless a just Solution for the Palestinian issue is reached," said Mubarak. He pointed out that Egypt extends a helping hand in the process and determines the best way for negotiations. President Mubarak reaffirmed that Egypt does not take decisions for the Palestinians. Asked how to be neutral while being the President of the Biggest Arab country and personal friend of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, Mubarak said that being neutral does not mean to allow the Israeli occupation of Al-Haram Al-Sherif, occupied by Israel in 1967, or the continued occupation of Palestinians territories. ``We try to help both parties to reach a reasonable outcome to be approved by both parties for peace to prevail in the region``,Said Mubarak. He reiterated that Egypt does not impose things on the Palestinians. ``The aim is to reach peace and unless it is a just peace, it will never bring in stability``, Mubarak reaffirmed. Asked if he thinks US President GeorgeW. Bush is less Interested in Middle East affairs in comparison to Clinton, Mubarak said that each US administration has its own way of dealing with things and priorities. He added that Bush might not get involved but his State Secretary would arrive here in 10 or 12 days and we will get to know efforts to be exerted by the US for regional stability. President Mubarak said Italy could play a role in the peace Process as it has relations for decades with the Arab countries and is a member of the European union. On the Lockerbie issue, President Mubarak said it is over as far as the United States is concerned. He said he believes that the Libyans are not satisfied with the ruling and will appeal against it. He said ``we`` have to wait and see where the problem will go. But to have Libya isolated from the world is unuseful, said Mubarak, citing its isolation for a decade as futile. But dialogue is the only way for change with Libya, said Mubarak, adding that continuing the siege around it will lead to an explosion sometime. On the objectives of his visit to Italy, Mubarak said Italy Comes atop of the European trade partners with Egypt and the Second world trade partner. It is very important to maintain the relations with the Italian government and discuss issues of mutual concern, added Mubarak. Mubarak emphasized that the national good mood of Egypt will ever remain intact, as the relevant tools to maintain the Egyptian and Arab identity are plenty. He cited the Media Production City as one of the tools to preserve the national identity as it has been producing Egyptian soaps and Arabic films, adding that Globalization will never tamper with this identity. Asked about the environmental impact of urban expansion and the joint Egyptian Italian projects on the Red Sea, Mubarak said there are rules for construction and project building in this area. There are some nature reserves where any possible projects are Prohibited and there are rules by which investors should abide when they build along the beaches. The buildings there are limited to few storeys and you will never find a building with 20 floors, added Mubarak. |
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