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Al-Ahram Weekly 4 - 10 November 1999 Issue No. 454 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 4 - 10 November 1999 Issue No. 454
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters 'Great sadness'
PRESIDENT Hosni Mubarak said he followed developments "minute by minute" as soon as he learned about the EgyptAir crash from international television channels early Sunday morning. A few hours later, the president's office issued a statement offering condolences to the families of the victims. "We feel great sadness and offer our deepest sympathy to all the families of the victims," said the statement.Before leaving to France on Monday, Mubarak said that he was "shocked by this tragic catastrophe," and emphasised that no one should rush to conclusions before investigations are completed. Mubarak said US President Bill Clinton had telephoned him on Sunday to offer his condolences and to assure him that the US authorities will exert every effort to find out the reasons behind the crash. He added that he had no information so far on what might have caused the accident, but pointed to the fact that two similar tragedies have taken place in the same area.
Mubarak said he had agreed to give the US the lead in investigating the accident because it took place close to American territory and the US possesses the necessary expertise and equipment to deal to conduct the investigation. Egypt, he added, will provide all necessary assistance to US investigators, who will keep Cairo up-to-date with their progress.
In a separate interview with CNN, Mubarak discounted the possibility of sabotage. "The possibility of sabotage has not even crossed my mind. There are stringent security checks in New York, as well as EgyptAir security inspections."
