'Determined to move ahead'
MENA Board Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Mahfouz El-Ansari spoke exclusively with US Assistant Secretary of State William Burns about the next steps on the road to Middle East peace
US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs William Burns, in an interview, in Cairo, with Middle East News Agency (MENA), praised the close relationship between Egypt and the US, voicing the two sides' keenness on expanding the scope of their cooperation. Burns said that the talks he had with President Hosni Mubarak and other senior Egyptian officials on Tuesday were "very good and constructive" and covered a wide range of issues, including bilateral ties.
"We have had very close economic ties for a quarter of a century. The Egyptians, both the government and the private sector, showed a great deal of initiative over the years in their endeavour to push economic ties ahead," he said.
He stressed that the US "will do everything we can to support efforts for both our interests".
Speaking about the recent tour of the region by US Secretary of State Colin Powell and the upcoming visit by US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, Burns expressed his belief that the visits reflect the strong personal determination of President Bush, the same personal determination which he showed at Sharm El-Sheikh and Aqaba summits, to do everything "we can collectively with your leadership and the American administration to make our vision a reality of two states and to make the roadmap peace plan more than just seven pieces of paper".
He added that the American message made in both Sharm El-Sheikh and Aqaba was quite simple, which was why both the secretary of state and Rice are paying visits to the region.
Asked whether Rice would be urging the Israeli side to deliver on its roadmap obligations towards building confidence on the Palestinian side, Burns reiterated statements made in Sharm El-Sheikh that "all sides have obligations, namely the Palestinians, Israelis, Americans, Egyptians and others in the region." The US will fulfill its side of the bargain, he stressed. The US president is now trying to show that sense of commitment. "I am sure you can see that the president is determined to move ahead," he added.
To the suggestion that though the Arabs and Palestinians have responded positively to American engagement the Israelis have yet to show a similar response, Burns reiterated that both sides have obligations, Palestinians and Israelis. "And the roadmap is the beginning of a process. The Palestinians have moved quite courageously to create much more accountable transparency," he noted.
But is the roadmap initiative premature? Not so, said Burns, people are tired of the violence and bloodletting and "the vicious cycle of violence must be broken to create a better future." This, he went on, "is the reason for including obligations with which both sides must comply; that both parties must take an active role in stemming the violence and terror."
Commenting on the obstacles still facing the implementation of the roadmap -- the assassinations, killings and bombings -- he, nevertheless, insisted "there's a breakthrough [happening right now]." Burns, however, did not rule out the possibility of some setbacks in the future.
The outcome of the Gaza-Bethlehem First initiative currently under negotiation, according to Burns, depends on encouraging discussion between the parties. "We're trying to move ahead and we're continuing to ensure security... We're trying to take practical steps so that the PA can resume its security responsibilities in Gaza as well as in Bethlehem," he said. The US, he assured, will continue to provide assistance for resolving sensitive issues, such as the continued Israeli military presence on the main roads as well as the withdrawal of troops from the Gaza Strip. He stressed that they will "help the parties work through their issues and find ways with which to turn over control to PA security". This is the key to law and order, he said, adding that the goal is to achieve a situation where a withdrawal can take place. "But this requires the two sides to talk very carefully. I believe that it can be achieved. I think progress is being made."
As to how the US administration currently views the efforts being made by Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), Burns stressed that it was very important for the peace process that the new Palestinian premier should succeed. "I think it is important to show the American administration... and the Palestinians living under occupation, that there are some improvements," he said.
Burns described his talks with President Mubarak as "a very good and very constructive discussion" on the past and future role of Egypt in the peace process. Also, "We spoke about a range of specific issues with the president, as well as bilateral relations," he said.
Underlining the close economic ties between the US and Egypt for a quarter of a century, Burns said, "We were very close. The Egyptians, both the government and the private sector, showed a great deal of initiative over the years and we are trying to push for more economic ties... which need to be competitive." The administration was determined to do all in its power to promote American investment in Egypt, in the interests of both parties, he added.
Burns urged greater political participation to resolve regional conflicts. "People can change, adapt, take the initiative in the direction of two states, which I think is going to work to serve the best interests of Palestinians and Israelis," he said. The solution, according to Burns, must come from within the region, supported in practical terms through trade agreements and other initiatives. Thirdly, he adds, "we must deal with all players in the region. The US role is to provide vigorous support for all efforts, not to ignore some and support others."
A number of Middle East regimes needed to adapt, open up, work sincerely and decisively to deal with regional conflicts, and undertake economic reforms, Burns said. This US policy orientation was not limited to the Middle East, Burns pointed out, but applies to countries in other parts of the world. "This is the challenge for the people and leaderships in the region... some will make the right choices and some won't."
And will the US give such regimes time to adapt? "I don't think there is one size that fits all. There are certain countries in the region with whom we have significant differences. We made no secret about that," he said. He stressed, however, that "I think we have been very lucky all through the years to have a partnership with Egypt," adding that occasional disagreements between the two countries were "only natural".
On the situation in Iraq, Burns described it as a challenge. "I think [the situation] is improving," he said, adding, "we can organise an Iraqi council quickly... which can help Iraqis run various ministries," though running Iraqi affairs is not going to be easy after three decades of mismanagement of the economy and sheer brutality.
"Egyptians do not need Americans to tell them about [conditions under the former Iraqi regime] because Egyptian workers in Iraq suffered physically and psychologically under it," he said. "We will keep acting," he said, though "it is not going to be an overnight success".
And what about speculation about the next US target, particularly in view of escalating tensions with Iran? "There are no plans on the table," Burns insisted.
Switching gear back to the roadmap, Burns was asked about the meeting of the Quartet (which includes, besides the US, the UN, EU and Russia) in Jordan. Why now, considering that the Quartet, which had been responsible for drawing up the roadmap, had not met in over six months? "Secretary Powell maintains close contacts with his partners," Burns answered, adding that Powell's current efforts are strongly supported by Egypt.
These efforts, according to Burns, aim at mobilising strong practical support for the implementation of the roadmap. He cited the EU's considerable assistance to the Palestinian Authority. "And, we want to work with our partners in other areas," he added, stressing that all parties in the Quartet "continue to work closely together".
And what of US monitoring of roadmap implementation? Burns said there was already a full-time team on the ground. He also said Washington welcomed the contribution of the Russians and others to moving ahead on the roadmap. "The precise form that might be taken on the ground is obviously something we are going to work through," he said, adding that the EU has offices which monitor and secure the flow of assistance.
"On the humanitarian front, the EU provides a lot of financial assistance. We have a great deal to gain by working closely with our partners, making sure the resources are harnessed in the same direction within the framework of the roadmap," he pointed out.
And what about a larger role for the UN? Burns was of the opinion that the UN, through the Quartet and UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 1397 can harness available resources in order to push more effectively towards a Middle East peace settlement.
As for the Syrian front, Burns said, "the point we've made before was working to revive a political process in the direction we've supported for decades, [which is] to resolve Syrian-Israeli differences through a political process. And we're committed to doing that." However, Burns went on to question Syria's declared commitment to support the peace process, while it continued "to host terrorist groups." He added, "If Syria wishes to become part of the Middle East peace process, this is the most opportune moment."
