Posted on 04/13/2004 2:05:09 PM PDT by yonif
Yosse Kopel, Israel Police Spokesperson for the Southern District, told IMRA today that the Egyptian Police had no role in either the discovery or arrest of the members of a large arms-smuggling network from Egypt to Gaza. Among those arrested over the past two months of intense police work were five Egyptians, four Israeli Bedouin, and a resident of PA-controlled Nablus. The criminals in custody smuggled drugs, prostitutes and foreign workers as well as arms. Over the past two months, police confiscated 140 rifles, two RPG rocket launchers and much ammunition from the cell members.
Yesterday U.S. President George Bush praised Egypt for its role in fighting terror. Egyptian President Mubarak told the press as he met with Bush that Egypt would send some forces into the Gaza Strip if Israel withdraws to aid Palestinian security forces.
To date Egypt's primary role in "fighting" terror has been trying to arrange for cease-fires under which the terrorist organizations can continue amassing weapons in preparation for post cease-fire attacks. Egypt has not had any significant impact on stopping the smuggling of weapons through tunnels from Egypt to Rafah.
President Mubarak has taken the position that Israel must also withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor where Israel now acts against Egypt-PA smuggling.
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