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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 9 -15 November 2000 Issue No.507 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 9 -15 November 2000 Issue No.507
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Books Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Crucial days
AFTER casting his vote in the third round of parliamentary elections yesterday, President Hosni Mubarak said that he expected Washington's policies towards the Middle East to continue as before regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is sitting in the Oval office, reports Nevine Khalil."The votes are being recounted," he said. "It doesn't make a difference whether Bush or Gore wins. I expect matters to continue as they are."
Mubarak also commented that outgoing President Bill Clinton still had until January to mediate a breakthrough agreement between the Palestinians and Israelis.
"The further 50 days Clinton has could be crucial," he noted.
Ways to end the violence in the Palestinian territories, which has resulted in the death of 180 Palestinians and the injury of thousands more, was the focus of talks held yesterday between Mubarak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, on a stop-over in Cairo before heading to Washington to meet with Clinton today.
Too close
THE US presidential election on Wednesday was the closest in recent history. Television projections first gave the race to Republican candidate George W. Bush. However, they later declared it too close to call.Attention focused on Florida, where there was a recount. Florida's election law requires an automatic recount if the margin of difference is less than half a per cent. Florida, with its 25 electoral votes, was, therefore, the state that decided who would win.
Earlier, Reuters had reported that Democratic Al Gore had secured 260 of the electoral votes, compared to 246 for Bush. In another twist, Gore took a late 49-48 per cent lead in the popular vote. Voter turnout was put at 53 per cent of registered voters, higher than in 1996 but less than in 1992. (see International)
Republicans meanwhile retained their hold on the Senate and House, but by the slimmest of margins.
Democrats had a high-profile win in New York, where Hillary Clinton won a hard-fought Senate race.
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