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Sunday, December 15, 1996
President Hosni Mubarak today warned Israel that it would be facing a difficult situation at the upcoming international economic conference in Cairo if it failed to respond to the requirements of peace during the coming period. In statements to reporters following his tour of youth housing projects at the new cities of "Al Obour" and "El Shorouq" Mubarak said that the Israelis would not be prevented from attending the conference. The President said that nothing new had happened since his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "There were lengthy talks and many good words and they (the Israelis) promised they will respect all their commitments and agreements. But nothing new has happened", he added. He voiced hope that the Israeli side would do something in the coming few months to facilitate matters towards peace. On the visit, due to be paid to Egypt next week by Israeli President Ezer Weizman, the President said that he had known Weizman since 1977, adding that " Weizman is concerned over the present conditions and his visit to Egypt would be a chance for the exchange of views". The President disclosed that former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres might visit Egypt in the near future. He said he invited Israeli Housing Minister Ariel Sharon to come to Egypt as well. "There is no problem for anyone to come and I am prepared to meet and talk with anybody for the sake of peace" , the President said. The President stressed the importance of Europe's playing an effective role in the Mideast peace march. "Most of the assistance, offered to the Palestinians, come from European countries and 70 percent of Israel trade is directed to Europe", he said. "This shows to what extent a European role in the peace march can be vital. No one can ever deny the role played by the United States in the peace process and I think that it would have been very difficult for the peace efforts to continue without the U.S.," the President said. On the sponsorship of the Mideast Peace process, the President said, "It is too late now to talk about the sponsorship of the peace process. The US. is in charge now and the Europeans are coordinating with the Americans". He wished the peace process to go ahead. On the upcoming Economic Summit, the President said, "First of all, the coming economic gathering would not be a summit, but rather a conference. Secondly, this conference is not going to be held for the sake of Israel. There are reasons for our acceptance to host the conference in Cairo". He pointed out that Egypt has asked all major international companies to come to the conference to see for themselves development process in Egypt. The President hopes that these companies would consider taking part in the development in Egypt, thus boosting investments, increasing production and creating more job opportunities. |
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