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Al-Ahram Weekly 29 Apr. - 5 May 1999 Issue No. 427 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 29 Apr. - 5 May 1999 Issue No. 427
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Focus Special Travel Sports People Features Living Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Weizman urges patience
By Nevine Khalil
IN A MOVE to break the ice after a cold 20-year peace, Israeli President Ezer Weizman visited Cairo last Thursday for talks with President Hosni Mubarak. The two men met for nearly three hours and appeared to be in high spirits after a luncheon banquet. Weizman's visit came one day after Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was in Cairo for talks with Mubarak, and at a sensitive stage in Israeli domestic politics with elections on 17 May.
Talking to reporters afterwards, Mubarak said that there were no "preconditions" to the improvement of relations between Egypt and Israel, which plummeted as a result of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's obstruction of peace efforts with the Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Speaking in English, Mubarak said that the atmosphere needs to be "purified and made more convenient". Both Egypt and Israel "know how to make this atmosphere better [but] the main problem is the peace process", he noted.
Weizman said that despite the fact that relations between the two countries have had "ups and downs, [were] warm, cold, hot and lukewarm", Egypt's initiative in making peace with Israel two decades ago "was the pioneer force in changing the atmosphere in the Middle East". He added that although the peace process is "stalled and not in a healthy situation now, I am optimistic".
Asked by Al-Ahram Weekly about the message he sought to convey by visiting Egypt at this critical time in Israeli politics, Weizman said: "For Egypt to be patient like it has always been. Be patient and everything will be settled."
Mubarak described Weizman as "a main supporter of the peace process", who helped clinch Egypt's peace treaty with Israel in 1979. "Until this moment, he still tries to help the peace process in his own way," Mubarak said. He expressed hope for a "much better atmosphere between Egypt and Israel in the very near future", stressing that Egypt "insists on peace and will continue working for peace whatever the consequences".
Asked about Israeli accusations that Egypt was interfering in the electoral process in Israel, Mubarak hit back: "Anyone can say anything." Weizman interrupted: "Come on, come on. Is my presence here interfering in the politics of Israel?"
Mubarak also said that Egypt supports the Palestinians, "but is not obstructing the peace process". He also remained adamantly opposed to the release of Israeli spy Azam Azam, imprisoned for industrial espionage in Egypt. "Why should I issue a pardon just for [him]? I have never done that for one [prisoner] alone."
Mubarak hoped that the PLO Central Council meeting on Tuesday to decide on the declaration of statehood on 4 May, "would take a decision which will not [negatively] affect the current process". Asked whether he expects a crisis on 4 May, Mubarak said, "I hope not. I think the Palestinians will take the right decision so as not to create more problems."
Regarding his views on the creation of a Palestinian state and whether it was inevitable, Weizman was abrupt: "Everything must be negotiated... Nothing is inevitable in life." Weizman said that as a result of the election campaign, the "atmosphere in Israel is very heated [and] tense". He advised that statements concerning the peace process should be delayed until two months after the elections. "Whatever the result of the elections, we have a good alternative -- to pursue the peace process with the Palestinians and Syria," he said.
