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Al-Ahram Weekly 20 - 26 April 2000 Issue No. 478 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 20 - 26 April 2000 Issue No. 478
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Heritage Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters
Security talks
ON TUESDAY, President Hosni Mubarak held talks with General Henry Shelton, the US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. Shelton told reporters afterwards that Cairo and Washington have "a very strong relationship and a long tradition of cooperation in security relations in the region." He said that military ties between the two countries were "more than just words and business [but rather] a dynamic, vital, ongoing series of military cooperation, contacts and exchange."Shelton also met Defence Minister Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi and chief-of-staff General Magdi Hitata before leaving for Jordan and Morocco for talks with their respective officials. The US top commander described the annual Bright Star military manoeuvres hosted by Egypt as "the hallmark of our lasting relationship," adding that they serve as "a model" for joint military exercises.
Shelton commended Egypt's performance in peacekeeping operations, saying that Egyptian forces were "dedicated and courageous." He noted that Egypt was "an essential partner in the continuing quest for lasting peace" in the Middle East, and that its "strong leadership is essential for regional security."
When asked for how much longer the US intends to keep a heavy military presence in and around the Gulf region, Shelton replied that Washington is "committed to assisting our friends and partners in maintaining security within the region for as long as necessary." He was referring to the American troops stationed in the Middle East since Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded neighbouring Kuwait in 1990. "In our opinion, Saddam Hussein must be contained until he changes his behaviour" by complying with UN resolutions and dismantling his military machine. "We will continue to play a part of that until [Saddam] complies," Shelton said.
