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Al-Ahram Weekly 3 - 9 February 2000 Issue No. 467 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 3 - 9 February 2000 Issue No. 467
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Special Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Looking out for 'golden opportunity'
By Nevine KhalilIsraeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak was in Cairo on Sunday to brief President Hosni Mubarak about the status of the Syrian and Palestinian tracks. During a three-hour visit the two leaders spoke for nearly 90 minutes before talking to the press and then resuming discussions over dinner.
Speaking at a joint press conference two days ahead of the resumption of multi-lateral talks in Russia, Barak would not comment on Israel's willingness to discuss dismantling its nuclear arsenal during these talks. The Israeli executive, however, described the talks which ground to a halt more than three years ago as "fruitful because many issues can be raised and solved gradually among all the players".
Mubarak, on the other hand, said that the nuclear issue did come up during the talks, but did not give details. "We tackled the nuclear issue today, but we cannot tell you exactly what went on in the discussions," the president said. "Let's wait and see what happens in Moscow first." Mubarak said that the multi-national talks, which will deal with the regional order and cooperation after the peace process is concluded, have "a long way [to go], and are not easy".
Asked whether he was "comfortable" with Barak's position as revealed in their discussions, Mubarak said: "It's not a matter of being comfortable or not. We are consulting on issues because we are trying to help in the peace process."
Although peppered with domestic questions addressed to Barak, the press conference was mainly focused on the future of the peace process. Both men agreed that now was a "golden opportunity" on the Syrian, Palestinian and Lebanese tracks which should not be lost. Mubarak hoped that negotiations would "resume soon", and offered Cairo's assistance "to make peace in this part of the world for the welfare of the people".
Mubarak brushed aside a question about whether Barak had asked him to help soften the Palestinian position: "We do not pressure anyone, take decisions for anyone or ask anyone to compromise. We leave it to the negotiators."
Barak expressed confidence in Egypt's role in promoting progress in the peace process, saying that "it is not a coincidence" that most of the Palestinian-Israeli agreements were signed on Egyptian soil. "It's a reflection of the respect which both sides have for the Egyptian role in making our peace process move forward."
Barak said he was "determined to strengthen Israel through strengthening peace relationships with all our neighbours". He also expressed conviction that "the golden opportunity we are facing on the [two] tracks will not be lost".
Mubarak and Barak speaking to the press on SundayBarak asserted that his government was able to "renew the momentum in the peace process" by signing the Sharm Al-Sheikh and Wye River agreements with the Palestinians and relaunching talks with the Syrians. He continued that Tel-Aviv will hand over "another piece of territory" to the Palestinians next week, and therefore expect the Palestinians to "live up to their own commitments".
On the Syrian track, which he discussed at length with Mubarak, Barak said his government "respects [the Syrians] need to take some time and hope that the obstacles will be removed.... We will be ready when the Syrians are ready," he declared. Barak hoped for a peace deal with Syria which will maintain "the dignity and interests of both sides".
At the same time, he remained firm about not meeting the Syrian demand of a written commitment by Israel to withdraw from the Golan Heights in order to continue talks. "Partners should negotiate without any preconditions. We cannot convey a political commitment before the negotiations even start," the prime minister said. "We respect their dignity and needs, we expect them to respect ours".
Barak said he was relying on "will on both sides" to achieve a breakthrough in the talks.
He also asserted that, "although tempting at first", the remaining tracks should not be played one against the other because this would create mistrust. "The only thing we can do is to move consistently, not try to let any track interrupt the other," he said. "Our commitment is to try to solve problems bona fide on all tracks".
