EGYPT: PRESIDENT MUBARAK MEETS WITH HUSSEIN & ARAFAT

Описание: (5 Jul 1998) Arabic/Eng

Two key Middle Eastern leaders have been meeting with Yasser Arafat in an attempt to get the stalled peace process moving once more.

Jordan's King Hussein and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak joined Arafat for their first such meeting since September.

In Jerusalem, David Bar-Illan, adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the Cairo meeting was a doomed attempt to bring pressure on Israel.

Jordan's King Hussein, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat met in Cairo to discuss the recent deadlock in Middle East peace talks and an Israeli plan to extend Jerusalem's borders.

Israel's decision to extend Jerusalem's municipal services to West Bank Jewish settlements has angered Palestinians.

They accuse Israel of violating the Israeli-Palestinian peace accords by unilaterally making decision on Jerusalem's future.

The Egyptian president declared that if the current Middle East deadlock is not resolved, it could ignite violence that may prove unstoppable.

But he said the full Arab summit demanded by the Palestinians should only be called as a last resort.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
When there is a strong enough reason and when we reach an impasse I think the Arab summit will become a necessity. We must take all possible measures to face the deadlock.
SUPER CAPTION: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

The plan to extend Jerusalem's municipal services was approved on June 21 by the Israeli Cabinet.

It also calls for the annexation of Jewish suburbs inside Israel to ensure the Jewish majority of 70 -percent in Jerusalem, where Palestinians hope to set up the capital of a future state.

Yasser Arafat reiterated the Palestinians' claim to Jerusalem.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
I thank President Mubarak for this invitation which will form, God Willing, the basis for the next invitation to the full Arab summit - because of the sensitivity of the situation specially in Jerusalem which is not only the capital of the future Palestinian state - but is the third of the Holy Shrines. It is the cradle of Jesus Christ.
SUPER CAPTION: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat

Peace talks between Israel and Palestinians have been stalled since March 1997 when Israel began building a Jewish housing unit in traditionally Arab east Jerusalem.

The United States has tried to revive the talks with a proposal for Israel to withdraw from another 13 percent of the West Bank.

The Palestinians have accepted the proposal but are resolved not to give way on certain issues.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
We consider the establishment of the independent Palestinian state on Palestinian national territory with its capital in Jerusalem as one of our major and basic demands. And we will never change our position.
SUPER CAPTION: King Hussein of Jordan

Tension almost erupted into violence last week when Israeli and Palestinian troops confronted each other with assault rifles and armoured personnel carriers in what began
as an argument over control of a Gaza Strip road.

A compromise reached with the help of U-S Mideast envoy Dennis Ross ended the confrontation before anyone was hurt.

The Egyptian president claimed the present Israeli government is not aiding the peace process.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
The present policy of the Israeli government will not lead to stability. Stability won't be achieved unless peace is achieved and the Palestinians are granted their rights. And now we need to clarify the present situation and we should clarify to the Israeli people, even though they will criticise this, the gravity of the situation.



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