Posted on 02/24/2004 8:32:31 PM PST by yonif
Should Israel withdraw from the Gaza Strip, Egypt will take steps to stop arms smuggling and the infiltration of terrorists - these assurances emerged in discussions which Labor MK Matan Vilnai held in Cairo early in the week. Vilnai met with Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher and with Dr. Ossama Al Baz, a top adviser to Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak. Among other topics, Vilnai discussed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's separation plan with his Egyptian hosts.
Tuesday it was reported in Haaretz that Mossad chief Meir Dagan visited Egypt a few days ago, apparently to probe Egyptian responses to a possible Israeli pull-out from the "Philadelphi" corridor in Rafah, along the Egyptian border.
Since the start of the intifada three and a half years ago, the Egyptians have rejected Israeli complaints concerning the lack of a crackdown on arms and drug smuggling via dozens of tunnels in the Rafah area. The Egyptians argue that is unreasonable to expect that their army, and the Palestinian Authority security forces, will succeed in stopping activity which the IDF has been unable to halt.
Vilnai gained the impression from his talks that the Egyptians are deeply interested in Israel's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. The Egyptians indicate that they are willing to coordinate between Israel and the PA to facilitate the withdrawal, Vilnai says.
In talks pursued by Vilnai on other channels, including contacts with the U.S., Egypt has warned that Israel should not separate from Gaza or the West Bank without coordinating its moves (directly or indirectly) with the Palestinians. Egypt warns that an uncoordinated unilateral pull-out will strengthen extremist Islamic groups, such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and forces supported by Hezbollah will grab control in the power vacuum left in the territories. Mubarak's secular regime, which struggles against Islamic extremists, is worried about the strengthening of such groups close to its borders.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has argued that the IDF should continue to control the Philadelphi corridor. But Sharon has indicated that he hasn't reached a decision, and he intends to discuss the issue with the Egyptians.
Vilnai, who has expressed reservations about unilateral withdrawal, called on Sharon to listen closely to Egypt, and to pursue possibilities for coordinating future moves vis-a-vis the Palestinians, with the help of American or Egyptian facilitators.
Well folks there you see another example of the fake peace Israel has with Egypt. Egypt admits to allowing weapons to go to terrorists through its territory. I also suspect that they foresaw this happening in the future, after they signed the "peace" treaty with Israel (which is actually a cease-fire) because they refused to take Gaza back, when Israel offered it.
US monetary and military aid must stop to Egypt.
holding your breath for that is suicide, though..
Why should Israel believe that Egypt will stop arms smuggling after any new agreement?
Janes Intel disclosed that Egypt actually fields assets in numeric strength for 3 Mechanized Divisions in Sinai.
When confronted....Egypt claims the numbers are logistical movment..maintenence and training : )
Egypt with direct drive access to Gaza..
I can see Egytptian tanks and mech there in the future..
And that disgusting Saeb Erkat on the tube expaining why Egyptian military needs to be in Gaza.
Games a foot my friend.
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