(Egyptian President) Mubarak calls (Israeli PM) Sharon, thanks him for Maher visit

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 23 December 2003 | JPOST.COM STAFF

[anotherview]

Dec. 23, 2003
Mubarak calls Sharon, thanks him for Maher visit
By JPOST.COM STAFF

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak telephoned Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Tuesday night to thank him for the "welcome and the successful meetings" held Monday in Israel with his Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher.

Officials in the prime minister's office said, "The two leaders discussed ways to advance the diplomatic process in the region. Mubarak emphasized his desire to advance Egyptian relations with Israel and expressed his interest in helping to advance the peace process."

Meanwhile Farouk Kaddoumi, head of the Palestine Liberation Organization's political department, arrived in Cairo on Tuesday to apologize for the violent harassment of Egyptian Foreign Minister within Al-Aqsa mosque by Palestinian extremists during the visit.

"My main mission in coming to Egypt, upon the mandate of Palestinian President [Yasser] Arafat, is to present our extreme apology for what happened to Mr. Ahmed Maher during his visit to Jerusalem," Kaddoumi told reporters at the airport.

He called the attackers "a rogue group that has no connection to the Palestinian people."

Egyptian daily newspapers carried front-page stories denouncing the incident, along with photographs of a visibly shaken Maher being led through the mosque compound by police and security guards.

The semi-official Al-Akhbar carried the headline: "A criminal attack carried out by a group of Palestinians on Ahmed Maher at Al Aqsa Mosque," while the more conservative Al-Ahram blared across its front page: "Ahmed Maher saved from a despicable attack inside Al Aqsa Mosque after peace mission to Israel."

Ghassan Charbel, the assistant deputy editor of the London-based daily Al Hayat, wrote in his column that the attack was "a dangerous incident, hard to believe and unbearable."

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa told Egypt's Middle East News Agency while visiting Kuwait on Tuesday that "we are sorry for such an assault, which could never serve Arab interests."

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's office issued a statement Monday denouncing the "irresponsible" attack, pledging that it "will not derail Egypt's efforts to achieve a resumption of Palestinian-Israeli talks, with the effective participation of other peace-loving partners."

[anotherview]

Ahmed Maher visit ping

[sarasota]

Hasn't it been 25 years since the Camp David Accord where they set out the parameters for peace?

[anotherview]

Yes it has. Your point? To make peace both sides have to want peace. Show me evidence that the Palestinians have any interest in peace other than the peace of the grave for Israel.

[sarasota]

I don't have a point other than to say with dripping sarcasm, "The irony". And to add, don't expect to see peace in those lands in this lifetime.