Feb. 28, 2002

Mubarak in an interview with Al Akhbar Editor: Egyptian-US relations are excellent 

    Issues of peace and Upper Egypt train accident were emphasized in the important interview that was attended by Minister of Information Safwat Al Sherif.

    In this context, President Mubarak said in continuation of efforts he exerted for saving the peace process for the interest of all peoples in the Middle East region, the President said he can never takes side with any party at the account of any other party, adding he can take side only with peace which mean restoration of rights and lands to their original owners namely Palestinians and Arabs.

    President Mubarak said Yasser Arafat is the legitimate President of the Palestinians adding he is the only person who is authorized and capable of negotiating with Israel for the establishment of peace.

    The President indicated that the current problem is that Sharon lacks the vision for achieving peace.

    President Mubarak said Egypt is against violence in its various forms and is against shedding blood of innocents whether they are Israelis or Palestinians adding the government of Israel should provide the proper conditions in which the Palestinian National Authority can take over its responsibilities.

    The President said it is time for the United States to play an active role for establishing a just and comprehensive peace adding the aim of his visit to the United States and his talks with President Bush is to find a way out of the current deterioration in the Occupied lands and the Middle East, saying that the policy of violence, siege, and assassination practiced by Israel leads to further deterioration of the situation.

    On the meetings and contacts he has with some Israeli figures, the President said their aim is influence the decision making process in Israel.

    I suggested to Sharon when he telephoned me to convene a three-way meeting to be attended by him,Arafat and myself the President said adding this suggestion was contained in a reply message he sent to Sharon.

    The President said Egypt's role that is based on principles of justice and legitimacy is not appreciated by some quarters in the United States and in Israel but there are others in the US administration and the Congress who appreciate and respect Egypt's stance.

    The President said Egypt's relations with the United States are excellent adding there is strategic cooperation based on mutual respect and independence of decision in the various domains.

    On the initiative by Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the President said it is completely compatible with resolutions of the Arab summit held in Cairo in 1996 that consider peace as a strategic option for the Arab nation.

    The President said the initiative is a good step, expressing hope that Israel would respond to it by withdrawing from Occupied Arab territories in return for normalization of relations.

    Meantime, President Mubarak said his talks in Washington would focus in its economic aspect on the conclusion of a free trade agreement. This would help increase Egyptian exports to the United States, attract more investments and modernize Egyptian industry.

    The President said the United States and friendly countries supported us in the wake of September 11 incidents, a move which underlines strength of national economy and effectiveness of economic reforms we are making.

    On the stance of political leadership towards upper Egypt train accident, the President said any official who is proved to be responsible will be brought to account adding his main preoccupation is to provide security and stability for citizens.

    The President said the government would undertake reform according to available financing plan adding discipline should characterize our behavior.

    On the importance of export for developing economy, President Mubarak called on producers to develop their production, on consumers to purchase national production and on the state to modernize and develop production centres.

    The President said encouragement of the Egyptian product contributes to creating job opportunities and supporting the national economy.