June  20, 2002

 Mubarak discusses Middleast developments in Amman, Damascus

    The President said that he would brief the two Arab leaders on his talks held in Washington and Camp David with U.S. President George W Bush and his aides as well as those held with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

    In statements to Editors in Chief of the Egyptian Newspapers and MENA while en route to Amman, President Mubarak said he would hold talks with King Abdullah and President Assad on developments in the area and ideas on how to find a way out of the crisis.

    Mubarak emphasized that violence will not end the conflict neither will it bring about security.

    "I have always been frankly announcing what I really believe in for I never fear any blame in saying the truth. I always put facts before all parties so long as this is in the interest of the nation and we have no secrets to hide," said the President.

    "I was keen to announce in Washington in press statements what I talked about with President George W Bush and his aides.

    I insisted to say it in Arabic in order to avoid any misunderstanding, misinterpretation or mistranslation," he added.

    In statements to Editors in Chief of Egyptian Newspapers, Mubarak said the principle he embraces as far as the Palestinian -Israeli conflict settlement is concerned is the establishment of a Palestinian State within the 1967 borders.

    The final touches to the demarcation lines of the future borders should be agreed upon by the two sides together with other issues such as security and Family reunion, he added.

    Elaborating on his visit to Washington, Mubarak said he exchanged several messages and telephone calls with President Bush. But President Bush was keen to meet face to face in order to exchange views over a set of issues related to the conflict, the President added.

    He said he reminded Bush that former US President Jimmy Carter chaired the committee that supervised the election of Arafat as chairman of the Palestinian Authority.

    He added that he told Bush bluntly that we should remain away from this matter because the Palestinian people will interpret it as interference in affairs that have been already endorsed.

    On the reported "temporary" Palestinians State, President Mubarak said he heard about this idea only in the Israeli newspapers and some US papers.

    It might be referring to temporary borders pending the establishment of the Palestinian State in its final fore via negotiation and in accordance with the international terms of reference, said Mubarak.

    Once this is approved, the world will recognize the Palestinian state, he said. Without negotiations there will be no solution.

    These negotiations should have a clear-cut framework and a timeline conducive to a final settlement, he added.

    Some sides, like Sharon, believe that the solutions can be reached by breaking the will of the Palestinian people by military means, said Mubarak.

    But "I say this is a mistaken understanding of the realities. Some others believe that security is attainable by building a "defensive walls".

    But we are confident that security is recognizable only via fair peace and negotiations," Mubarak argued. It is also a mistake to believe that talking about Arab- Israeli ties would distract Arabs off the Palestinian cause, he remarked.

    Those who believe that brushing aside Arafat would lead to solution are certainly in illusion because this could only cause chaos.

    Frankly, no Palestinian leader can lead negotiations conducive to practical outcomes that would be appealing to the two sides but Arafat, said Mubarak.

    Arafat is the sole leader who has the power to negotiate and persuade his people, said the President.

    Mubarak warned against those who fear the Palestinian cause would be resolved and the conflict ended, noting that there are elements on both sides who see that struggle and war are in their interests.

    Coordination and consultation are continuing between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, said Mubarak in his comment on the two visits paid by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal to Cairo.

    Prince Faisal brought me two-messages from Saudi King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz before he left to Washington, said Mubarak.

    The President said he told Bush that the statement to be released by the US administration on the Middle East should be balanced and fair, quoting that it (the statement) will not be much delayed.

    Imbalance over such a serious issue will jeopardize both the US interests and allies in the region, said Mubarak.

    "I also explained to him (Bush) that violence would never stop unless Palestinians restore their rights.

    He recalled that he raised the issue with late Israeli premier Yitzhak Rabin who was very understanding. Rabin was a brave and intelligent politician, added Mubarak.

    Mubarak pointed out that he discussed with US President George W Bush the issue of Arafat with clarity.

    He reiterated that he told Bush "let us avoid this issue because so far there is no alternative to Arafat otherwise there might be some parties who are seeking his disposal to usurp more Palestinian lands which means more violence.

    Mubarak added that he emphasized to Bush that nobody else but Arafat could reach an agreement that would satisfy his people.