Nov.  25, 2000

In an interview with Ahmad Al-Garallah, the Chief Editor of Asseyassa newspaper published today, Mubarak said that the move sent a clear message to Israel that suppression of the Palestinian people and power arrogance would have negative impacts on the region.

"The excessive use of force is very dangerous," said Mubarak. He warned that the current situation could weaken Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's authority and that of moderate figures, and thus may pave the way for extremist forces.

Mubarak called on Israel to correct its conception of the principles and rules governing the Middle East peace process and to fully commit to the land-for-peace formula.

Asked about demands for Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak to leave the political arena, Mubarak described Arafat's absence from the scene as a "disaster," as it would mean the loss of a moderate Palestinian trend.

"We have chosen peace as on strategic option, and peace activists should work hard for a balanced, just and comprehensive peace deal," said Mubarak.

President Hosni Mubarak ruled out the idea that a war could resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. A war to the last Egyptian soldier is certainly unacceptable, said Mubarak, adding that the real war that should be launched is that of development.

"Those who are drumming up for war do not really know what it means," said Mubarak. He warned that the issue of Jerusalem should be solved and any attempt to postpone it is illogical and any relevant bargaining will never be possible.

"No one dares to advise Arafat to give up sovereignty over Al-Haram Al-Sharif," said Mubarak. He added that the issue has its own Arab, Islamic and Christian dimensions and that no one whosever can bargain when it comes to Jerusalem.

"The US policy knows everything about the Jerusalem issue with all its connotations but the pro-Israel lobby lays pressures on it," said Mubarak. He called on Arab communities in the US to play an active and influential role on the US political scene.

Mubarak categorically rejected all proposals calling for settling the Palestinians in any other country, noting that such a move will never solve the issue.

The President lashed out at claims that the Sharm El-Sheikh meeting aimed at defusing the Arab Summit meeting. He pointed out that the meeting took up some fringes of the Palestinian issue and internationalized the issue for its peculiar complexity.

"Holding the Arab summit meeting before the Sharm El-Sheikh meeting would have come up with routine and hollow statements of denunciation," he remarked.

President Mubarak voiced deep concern over the weak inter-Arab cooperation in the fields of economy and trade. He voiced desire for industrial integration and a common market.

Mubarak voiced deep concern over the weak inter-Arab trade, which is estimated at 8-10 percent of their total trade volume.

"A common Arab market would provide a safety net for all Arabs in a world of economic blocks," said Mubarak.

Mubarak showed tolerance when it came to the burning of his pictures along with other Arab leaders. He said that he did not feel angry when his pictures were burnt.

"I told Arafat if they needed any pictures to burn I would send more of them," Mubarak said.

Remarkable accomplishment:

President Mubarak said Egypt got out of the bottleneck as its economy witnessed many and remarkable changes.

"The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) persistently rose and debt declined," Mubarak added. "The government of Atef Ebeid achieved remarkable accomplishments in many economic fields," Mubarak said.

Denying his annoyance over the results of recent People's Assembly elections President Mubarak said he followed up the elections. Mubarak said he observed and respected the Judiciary's rulings.