Egyptian FM ridicules reports about Israeli plan ???to build alternative to Suez Canal

Al Bawaba ^ | 11/5/2003

[yonif]

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher was quoted as saying on Wednesday that press reports over Israel's plans to build a canal linking the Aqaba Bay with the Mediterranean as an alternative to the Suez Canal were a mere "illusion."

Maher told the Syrian daily Tishreen "We've heard this many many times and it's a mere illusion." He stressed that the Suez Canal "has and will always be historic and serves the world economy." "If some do not like this ... that's their business, but I affirm that the (Suez) Canal is bigger than being played down by anyone," Maher said. (Albawaba.com)

[yonif]

Ping.

[glorgau]

Gotta agree, it would be un-economic to say the least.

[yonif]

I believe the Israeli government is not undertaking this endeavor....THis is nothing but Arab propaganda.

[spyone]

But very strategically desireable.

[Symblized]

I'm pretty sure this is a misconstuation of the Russian backed oil pipeline plan, which would go through Israel to avoid the Suez Canal: Moscow Times

[yonif]

Could be.

[WaterDragon]

I've HEARD about the alternate canal, but the plans, which evidently have been considered off and on for decades, are not very far advanced. Or so I've heard. I think it would be a truly neat idea to make the Suez irrelevant! LOL

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

As long as he's yapping, he might thank the US for getting the one he has back for him.

[dagnabbit]

Without a canal monopoly, Egyptians would be left with only the traditional two Arab exports, oil and terrorism - and they don't have much oil.

[Blood of Tyrants]

It wouldn't be a huge engineering project as all that is required is to dig a ditch. The Mediterannean and Red Seas are on the same levels, no locks required.