Moving in tandem

Egypt is using all diplomatic channels towards the realisation of national and Arab aspirations, writes Ibrahim Nafie

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The notion that Egypt is acting as a third party intermediary in the Arab-Israeli crisis is patently absurd. Egypt is an immediate party in this conflict and a central player in the collective Arab struggle to realise legitimate Arab rights and safeguard Arab national security. As the largest Arab power Egypt has consistently availed itself of its regional and international connections in the service of Arab causes and interests. And this applies to Egypt's relations with Israel.

That Egypt has always subordinated these relations to Arab causes is evidenced by the many peaks of tension they have undergone. If the tenor of Egyptian-Israeli relations has improved today, this is because Egypt perceives a propitious opportunity for setting the Palestinian-Israeli track back on its proper course. As a first step in this direction Egypt is prevailing upon Tel Aviv to take all necessary measures to facilitate the PA elections on 9 January. Egypt also perceives the chance of a breakthrough on the Syrian track. President Bashar Al-Assad has recently announced that he is ready to resume negotiations with Tel Aviv unconditionally, and Egypt is pressing Tel Aviv to respond positively to this courageous initiative.

It should be stressed, here, that before taking such actions Cairo coordinates closely with the Arab parties concerned, as evidenced by the intensive talks held in Cairo recently with a top-level Palestinian delegation and President Mubarak's recent meeting with President Al-Assad in Sharm El-Sheikh. Simultaneously, Cairo is prevailing upon the Bush administration to fulfil its pledge to realise the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Towards this end the Bush administration must put its weight behind all efforts to secure the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, the linkage of this disengagement plan with the roadmap and the eventual withdrawal of Israel from territories occupied in 1967.

In its handling of its relations with Israel Egypt has struck a judicious balance between the pursuit of Egyptian national, and Palestinian/Arab, interests. Egypt has succeeded in securing the return of six Egyptians being prosecuted in Israel on charges of illegal entry into the country, possession of arms and conspiring to commit acts of sabotage. To Egyptian authorities the humanitarian cause of saving the lives and futures of these misguided youths was far more important than holding on to an Israeli spy who had already served half of his prison term.

At the level of national security Egypt has reached an agreement with Israel in accordance with which 750 members of the Egyptian Border Forces will be detailed to patrol the Philadelphia Axis on the Egyptian-Israeli border. Other agreements will promote Egypt's economic interests. Most significantly, a forthcoming agreement, to be signed between Egypt, Israel and the US on 14 December, will establish Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZ). Created on the basis of a US Congressional initiative of November 1996 to promote peace in the Middle East, this system will guarantee the entry of Egyptian products to US markets without customs or other encumbrances. Although the products will have a percentage of Israeli components, all rules with regard to country of origin will be observed. Not only will this agreement stimulate at least $1 billion boom in Egyptian textile exports over the next two to three years, but it will also generate more than 250,000 new jobs and help attract more foreign investment into productive sectors of the economy.

On the Palestinian side of the equation Egypt's diplomatic drive has succeeded in enhancing prospects for the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. In their recent meeting with Sharon Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit and head of intelligence Omar Suleiman obtained an Israeli pledge to lift roadblocks, to keep Israeli soldiers away from polling zones and other measures needed to create an atmosphere conducive to free elections. Sharon also signalled his willingness to meet Abbas and Qurei following the elections. Moreover, this was the first time he stated that he was ready to coordinate with these leaders over the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank and that he was willing to return to the roadmap, on the condition that the Palestinians undertake their security responsibilities. Through understandings reached with the Israelis, Egypt was also instrumental in opening the taps of foreign economic aid to the PA so that it can disburse back pay to civil servants, purchase equipment and uniforms for the PA police and security forces, commence reconstruction and take other urgent measures to improve the quality of life for the Palestinian people.

At the same time Egypt has sustained its efforts to promote Palestinian-Palestinian dialogue. In March representatives of the various factions are scheduled to meet in Cairo again in order to reach a consensus on a set of principles and a collective agenda for the forthcoming phase.

Egypt's various diplomatic drives cannot be viewed separately from one another: they are interlocking components of a vision that integrates the pursuit of national, Palestinian and Arab interests. Our hope is that the Palestinian factions understand the comprehensive context of Egypt's actions and proceed in the same spirit to place the higher interests of the Palestinian people above all other considerations. We will then be able to move in concert towards the realisation of a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem and the establishment of peace throughout the region.