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Al-Ahram Weekly 23 - 29 March 2000 Issue No. 474 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 23 - 29 March 2000 Issue No. 474
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Focus Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Catalysing good chemistry
By Dina Ezzat
The return of an ambassador to head Egypt's diplomatic mission in Khartoum after over six years of a chargé-d'affaires representation is seen as a major step towards improving bilateral relations between the two Nile Valley neighbours.
The following are excerpts from an interview with Ambassador Mohamed Assem:
You are Egypt's first ambassador in Khartoum after years of cool, sometimes strained, Egyptian-Sudanese relations. What is the message which you will be conveying and what is your long-term diplomatic mandate?
My initial message was to put across on the very first day after my arrival [over a week ago] that the Nile Valley bond brings together Egypt and Sudan in an timeless relationship. However, this relationship was significantly reduced [during the past 10 years] in a way that harmed the Egyptian-Sudanese 'entity' ... This was particularly the case after the incidents of 1993 [when Sudan confiscated Egyptian properties in Khartoum] and those of 1995 [with Sudan's reported involvement in the attempt on the life of President Hosni Mubarak in Ethiopia]...
Today, I have a double mandate: to work on healing the wounds of the past decade, because we cannot just turn over a new leaf when issues of concern are not properly settled, and also to work on realising quick progress in relations to serve the common interests of the Egyptian and Sudanese peoples...
So, the return of an Egyptian ambassador to Sudan is a significant step, but it should not be viewed as an answer in itself to the problems of the past decade.
What problems do you think you will encounter?
I am aware that the road will not be completely smooth...
[One major problem] is the fact that for the past 10 years Egypt has been [reduced to] a mere observer, as compared to an [involved partner], in relation to Sudan...
This said, the Egyptian and Sudanese leaders and peoples have the will to overcome the problems of the past...
My job is to be the catalyst that allows this political will to remove the bad chemistry in Egyptian-Sudanese relations.
You have arrived in Sudan at a time when Egypt -- together with Libya -- is heavily involved in promoting peace in Sudan. What role will you be playing in this connection?
Egypt is keen on seeing Sudan in a state of total peace with itself and its neighbours. Egypt is also keen to see Sudan regain a good regional and international image...
It is our firm belief that the problems of Sudan cannot be solved by military means... Nor can they be resolved through an incompetent political approach that reduces the Sudanese problem to a south-north issue...
My job is to correct this approach and encourage all concerned parties to realise that we need to work according to a realistic timetable to resolve the multi-layered problems, rather than talk of the partition of Sudan...
It is my duty, and even my right, to work for promoting unity and peace in Sudan...
The repercussions of the palace coup of Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir against the country's spiritual leader Hassan Al-Turabi continue to be felt. Where does that leave you?
Cairo's political decision to send an ambassador to Khartoum cannot be seen separately from the recent political developments in Sudan. As an ambassador, it is my task to deal with the government to which I am accredited as a representative of my country....
This government should be competent and capable of reversing the harm that was inflicted on bilateral relations in the past decade...
In any event, it is not my job to meddle in the internal affairs of Sudan...
Were you well received in Khartoum?
Very well received at both the governmental and popular levels.
Can you think of a reason that would abruptly end your mission in Khartoum?
I hope that my mission in Khartoum will only end when my task of [improving] bilateral ties is completed.
