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Al-Ahram Weekly 13 - 19 July 2000 Issue No. 490 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 13 - 19 July 2000 Issue No. 490
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Focus International Economy Opinion Interview Culture Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters To Camp David, via Cairo
By Nevine Khalil
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak were in Egypt on separate stop-overs on Sunday and Monday respectively ahead of a new round of talks presided over by US President Bill Clinton near Washington. In separate meetings with President Hosni Mubarak, Arafat and Barak conveyed their positions and expectations as they headed to what is viewed as a make-or-break summit that began Tuesday.
According to Mubarak's chief political adviser, Osama El-Baz, both men were going to the US with "cautious optimism, because they are aware of the difficulties, and complicated issues awaiting them there." El-Baz added that it was time "both sides got ready to face reality."
Cairo expressed hope that there would be "real progress on all issues" at Camp David, the presidential retreat outside Washington which, 22 years ago, witnessed the signing of a framework agreement for an Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty.
The summit, covering eight days of intense negotiations between the two sides, aims to reach a framework for a permanent agreement on the Palestinian-Israeli track of negotiations. The two sides face a 13 September deadline for finalising this framework, after which Arafat has vowed to declare a Palestinian state, regardless of the outcome of negotiations.
During a one-hour meeting with Arafat on Sunday near the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, Mubarak, according to Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, was told that the Palestinian leader was going to Camp David "with a determination to reach a settlement." Moussa said that a successful summit would also depend on Barak's position. "Barak's 'no's' do not provide the Palestinians with the necessary assurances," he said.
Moussa was referring to Barak's statements outlining five "red lines" or "no" issues on which Israel will not compromise. These are the status of Jerusalem, the return of Palestinian refugees, final borders of a Palestinian state, Israeli settlements and the deployment of a "foreign," meaning Palestinian, army in the self-rule areas. Moussa described Barak's hard-line position as "a dark cloud" over the Camp David summit, but El-Baz downplayed Barak's pre-negotiation statements, saying that "many times the positions taken ahead of negotiations change during talks."
According to Moussa, Mubarak agreed with Arafat that the status of Jerusalem is a "vital and essential" issue which must be included in the final settlement. Moussa said that if Israel is not willing to discuss Jerusalem at Camp David, "it is impossible for Arabs, Muslims, Christians and the whole world to postpone [a discussion of] the issue." The next day, however, El-Baz said that if certain issues are not addressed in the talks, the negotiations "should be extended".
In Cairo Monday, Barak was encouraged by Mubarak "to go [to Camp David] with a positive outlook and do his best to reach an agreement because the situation in the region does not allow for more complications", according to El-Baz. Cairo also stressed the importance of "showing flexibility and bearing in mind the essential requirements of the Palestinians." For his part, Barak was optimistic, "but did not specify the issues on which he might be flexible," noted El-Baz.
The presidential adviser said that Barak "did not come here to specify red lines or negotiate, but assured us that he will be positive and try to do all that is possible to make the talks a success."
Before coming to Cairo, Barak travelled to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah for similar pre-summit consultations. Egypt and Jordan are the only Arab countries which signed peace agreements with Israel, in 1979 and 1994 respectively.
During one hour of one-on-one talks in Cairo, Mubarak and Barak also discussed the stalled Syrian-Israeli track of negotiations. The president emphasised the importance of making progress along this track as soon as possible and, according to El-Baz, Barak assured Mubarak that "he will do his best to re-launch talks."
Explaining the Egyptian position, El-Baz said that "it is up to the parties [Palestinians and Israel] to shoulder their responsibilities" and clinch a peace deal, with Egypt's role confined to giving a helping hand to "keep negotiations going and close the gap between the two sides."
Moussa opined that reaching a framework agreement between the Palestinians and Israelis on all final status issues depended on Barak's political will. "There is a possibility of success only if the parties have the courage to make peace," said Moussa. "If there is hesitation, fear, mistrust and excuses, that is another issue. Only with goodwill and commitment will an agreement be reached."
Cairo brushed aside whatever domestic problems Barak was facing with his coalition government. Both Moussa and El-Baz said that Israeli internal power struggles are the concern of the Israeli prime minister alone and should not cast shadows over the peace process.
"Barak's internal problems are not our concern," said Moussa. "Arafat has domestic problems too," but he continues to forge ahead with peace.
"No matter what problems the Israelis are facing, they must realise the danger of letting the status quo continue," added El-Baz. Barak told Mubarak that he "will not be hindered by Israeli internal politics. They will not be on his mind as he heads to negotiations," according to El-Baz.
Cairo remains hopeful about Camp David, but would not predict its outcome, or what the alternatives might be if the summit fails. "We will cross that bridge when we come to it," Moussa said.
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