28 Feb. - 6 March 2002
Issue No.575
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 28 Feb. - 6 March 2002 Issue No.575 |
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On a firm footing
President Mubarak's visit to Washington will underline the strength of American-Egyptian relations, writes Ibrahim Nafie
At the beginning of March President Mubarak is scheduled to visit Washington. In the light of continuing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people the timing of Mubarak's visit is of great significance, allowing him to communicate his assessment of the current situation and the actions necessary to promote a process of peaceful resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Mubarak's talks in Washington will be characterised by a high degree of clarity and transparency. The president's assessment of regional issues is penetrating and commands a great deal of respect within the American administration even in those cases where there is a difference of opinion over the issues involved. These meetings, then, provide the framework for an exchange of opinions and ideas, underlining the uniqueness of Egyptian-American relations and the mutual respect for difference and vital cooperation they invoke.
Egyptian-American relations have come a long way since the first signs of a political solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict began to appear after the October War. Their course was initially dictated by Egypt's understanding of American capabilities, and their limits, in supervising and managing a resolution between Egypt and Israel while Washington, in like manner, respected Egypt, not only as a major regional player and therefore an important component of regional stability but as a country that entered the October War in defence of its land.
It was this kind of mutual understanding that led to the active and effective American contribution to Camp David and the Egyptian- Israeli peace agreement. Since then, Egyptian- American relations have moved to a new stage of positive interaction focused on ensuring regional stability. Egyptian-American relations have consistently developed in this vein, with new fields of cooperation between the two countries opening up -- the result, among other things, of a confluence of viewpoints on many regional and international issues. There has always been a conciliatory aspect to bilateral relations: Washington respects Egypt's internal autonomy and the specific character of its role in the region while Egypt acknowledges the role of American aid in ameliorating the burdens of economic restructuring.
Such tendencies were underlined by the practical policies initiated in support of the Egyptian economy following events of 11 September -- most significantly American approval of specific Egyptian aid requests and its active participation in the conference of the consultative group of donor countries which allocated $10.3 billion to Egypt over the next three years. Egypt also respects America's role in providing military support despite the objections of pro-Israeli parties in the US. The resumption of military cooperation between the two countries has been mutually beneficial.
Washington fully appreciates Egypt's role in promoting stability and resolving regional conflicts at the African and Arab levels and in Islamic and non-alignment circles.
Egyptian-American relations have always been strong enough to withstand the kind of partisan critiques that have, for the most part, been channeled into the media by supporters of the Zionist lobby. After the 11 September a concerted attempt to suggest a crisis in Egyptian- American relations became obvious, though tellingly this campaign failed. Egypt's position on terrorism is clear, not only on the level of official statements but in practical terms.
Egypt was quick to condemn the 11 September attacks, and President Mubarak repeatedly expressed Egypt's support for American efforts to fight terrorism, in interviews given to the international media and at international conferences and in statements to the People's Assembly and Shura Council. Egypt also provided information and logistical support for the US military campaign. In a phone conversation with Mubarak on 26 October President Bush expressed America's gratitude for Egypt's military cooperation and mentioned the funerary prayers conducted in Egyptian places of worship for the victims of the attacks.
The development of Egyptian-American relations, however, has not gone down well with the Zionist lobby, not least because of Egypt's insistence on distinguishing between terrorism and legitimate national struggle against occupation, and the support this insistence has received from various international parties.
The American administration has dealt with Egypt's positions seriously, understanding the extent to which Israeli terrorism itself threatens the campaign against international terrorism. President Bush announced as much in his meeting with the Israeli foreign minister Shimon Perez at the White House on 23 October, requesting an immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian lands, invaded days before, and a stop to continuing occupation. And the Israeli foreign minister duly declared after the meeting that Bush had told him that continuing Israeli violence hampers America's efforts to preserve the international coalition against terrorism.
The American administration further expressed concern, through State Department spokesman Philip Reiker, about the killing of Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces: Israeli procedures are unacceptable and regrettable, he said, and Washington calls on Israel to put an end to the killings and assassinations once and for all.
Egypt was also able, through its relations with the US, to thwart Sharon's plan to persuade the American administration to end communications with the PA and declare Arafat "outside the process." The Washington correspondent for the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot conceded on 10 February that Sharon had failed to persuade the American president of the importance of deposing Arafat and that Sharon had left Washington with most of his demands rejected. And on 13 February Colin Powell declared to the Senate that Egypt is among the strongest parties in the dialogue concerning dealing with Arafat.
Egyptian-American relations have a firm foundation of mutual benefits as well as mutual respect. This does not mean there are no differences, but that such differences can be accommodated. And President Mubarak's upcoming visit to Washington, commentators expect, will contribute a great deal to developing these relations and encouraging Washington to play an effective and active role in the region.
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