Nov.  13, 2001

In a news conference with his French counterpart Jacques Chirac, President Mubarak said that they discussed the Middle East issue, Afghanistan and bilateral relations.

He said they discussed the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, the efforts exerted to end this situation and bring Palestinians and Israelis to the table of negotiations to finally hammer out a fair solution that would pacify the region.

“I am afraid if the status quo lingers on, more setbacks might overwhelm the region and consequently harm the cooperation between the Arab countries and their western friends,” said Mubarak in the Joint news conference with Chirac.

“We spoke of the issue of terrorism and agreed that there is no relation between Islam or any other religion and terrorism.

However, an international conference on terrorism under the UN auspices is a must in order to finally forge an international agreement on terrorism to be binding to all signatories,” said Mubarak.

“We do agree with President Chirac, as we said to the US, that the ongoing military strikes should be confined to Afghanistan, otherwise the interests of the whole world will be in jeopardy,” added the Egyptian President.

“We also talked about a post war political settlement in Afghanistan so that things would come to normal as fast as Possible,” said Mubarak.

Chirac started his statements by voicing deep grief and regret over the reported killing of two French journalists in Afghanistan during their work and condoled with their families and friends.

He thanked President Mubarak on the hospitality he was accorded in Egypt and the exchange of views with Mubarak.

‘We almost have identical analysis of what is going on today in the world and in the terrorism combat operation,” said Chirac.

“It is impossible to link, and there even should not be any linking between Islam and terrorism as President Mubarak stated in the wake of September 11 attacks and as the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Mufti of Egypt said. And this is exactly what we have in our minds,” said Chirac.

    “The US might be leading the military operations and we (French) are in solidarity with it in this regard, but in the end we have to take into account that a solution is attainable only within the framework of the UN,`` said Chirac.

    “This would lead up to two conclusions. First, the UN envoy to Afghanistan Al Akhdar Al Ibrahimi should be supported in his mission to accelerate a political solution appealing to all sides and put it into action,” said the French Leader.

    He underlined the importance that the UN should be assigned this mission because it is the only channel that is able to do this properly.

    Second, added Chirac, “we agreed that the military strikes should be confined to Afghanistan only.”

    He announced his full support for President Mubarak’s call for a solution for the Middle East issue because “this basically benefits the international alliance against terrorism.”

    “This solution should be achieved in a peaceful way and the Israelis and the Palestinians have to return to the negotiation table on the basis of the UN relevant resolutions and the Madrid Peace Conference,” added Chirac.

    Describing Egyptian French ties as excellent, French President Jacques Chirac thanked Mubarak for his approval of the establishment of a French university in Egypt.

    Chirac referred to the fact that French investors, who are traditionally cautious, are now increasing their ventures, and confidence, in Egypt. The French Leader said that he encourages investors all over the world to do business in Egypt.

    Answering a question about the Middle East issue, Mubarak warned that if no solution that satisfied both the Palestinian and Israeli sides was reached, the region would drift into an abyss.

    On his part, Chirac said he shares Mubarak his concern, adding that there was no direct link between the Middle East conflict and international terrorism, and that he was confident that Osama Bin Laden did not care in any way about the Palestinians.

    “Fighting terrorism is a long-term and difficult process, and it is a new factor that should be taken into account in international affairs,” the French President said.

    On reports about French British ideas to push the peace process forward, and US President George W. Bush’s response to the French ideas in this regard, which Chirac presented during his recent visit to Washington, Chirac said it was not his habit to comment on talks he holds with heads of state.

    The French Leader, however, said he expressed to Bush his and Mubarak’s concern over the Middle East situation, and the necessity of holding a new international peace conference, and negotiations including the US, Europe, the UN, Egypt, Jordan and Syria.

    On his part, Mubarak said that all efforts had to be exerted to reach a solution to the Middle East crisis, noting that Bush’s failure to meet Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat could be attributed to some current reasons.

    “But he should meet him and listen to him ultimately, a similar meeting took place with the administration of Former President Bill Clinton when he proposed a plan for solving the Issue, and they said it was either to be accepted of rejected - that it was non-negotiable,” Mubarak went on.

    If Israel says it will not meet Arafat until there is an alternative to him, I say this is an illusion, “because after Arafat, it will be very difficult to negotiate. Israel will not find any one on whom all Palestinians would agree,” the Egyptian President said.

    Queried about a plan by Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres on the establishment of a Palestinian State in Gaza first, to be later extended to the west bank, Mubarak said it was up to the owners of the land to say yes or no.

    Mubarak, however, said he doubts the Palestinians will accept the plan, because after that the Palestinian cause could die, and if the issue of Jerusalem and Al Haram Al Quds is delayed, it will raise many problems in the Muslim and Christian worlds.

    On his part, the French Leader said he totally shares Mubarak’s view. Asked about the possibility of widening the scope of the military operation in Afghanistan, and whether there were any French reservations in this regard, Chirac said that he believed the military strikes should be limited to Afghanistan only.