Wednesday , 26 September , 2001
Egypt reiterates commitment
to anti-terror efforts
Mubarak:
Dealing with war is easier
than dealing with terrorism
ROME President Hosni Mubarak yesterday concluded a three-leg European tour during which he held talks with leaders of France, Germany and Italy. The ongoing US preparations to retaliate for the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington and the deadlock in the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks topped the agenda of President Mubarak's talks.
In a press conference held after his talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Mubarak said that Egypt was ready to cooperate with the US in its battle against terrorism, noting that Egyptians had experienced the bitter taste of terrorist attacks.
But the Egyptian leader also said only peace in the Middle East could bring about a lasting solution to global terrorism.
"We support the United States in fighting terrorism because we've also been targeted by terrorist attacks," Mubarak told a joint news conference with Chancellor Schroeder.
"But without solving the Palestinian problem with US and European help we will see a new generation of terrorists threatening world security. It's a breeding ground for terrorism. No state will be able to protect itself," he said.
In a strong demonstration of solidarity with Mubarak, who was the first to warn against terrorism as an international threat, Schroeder put his arm around the shoulder of the Egyptian leader after their meeting in Berlin.
"The Middle East and what is happening with the Palestinian situation is set to increase terror," Mubarak said.
"Dealing with war is easier than dealing with terrorism. There is no doubt that the next measures must relate to the Middle East," Mubarak said.
Schroeder said German support for the United States was "unreserved" and he agreed that finding peace in the Middle East was vital.
Mubarak also repeated his call for an international anti-terror conference, saying that he had called for such a conference long before the events of September 11.
The Egyptian leader has suggested that such a convention, possibly within a United Nations framework, could be the basis for sanctions against countries seen as harbouring "terrorists".
However, Mubarak described the idea of forging an international alliance against terrorism as 'very sensitive.'
In an interview with the American CBS TV network, Mubarak said that Egypt would support the US in its pursuit of Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden because "the United States would have not started this (campaign) unless it is sure that bin Laden was behind the attacks."
Bin Laden, the prime suspect in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, is hiding in Afghanistan as a guest of its rulers Taliban movement.
Mubarak said that according to statements bin Laden have been making over the past period, "I believe he may be behind all that happened."
The President said that sending troops to take part in the US-led military campaign needed "public consent and parliamentary mandate."
Mubarak said he believed all the world countries would support the US in its battle against terrorism "because no country is convinced with backing terrorism."
Asked if some Egyptian militants could possibly be involved in the September 11 attacks, Mubarak said that the so-called Islamic Jihad movement does not exist in Egypt any longer. He added that fugitive Jihad members, some of whom are wanted in Egypt to serve sentences, have taken refuge either in Afghanistan or Europe. "Islamic Jihad members are now in London, Europe or with bin Laden," he said.
Mubarak reiterated that Egypt was frequently accused of human rights violations by the West during its confrontation with terrorism a few years ago.
The Egyptian leader earlier in the day held talks with German President Johannes Rau. On Monday, he held talks in Paris with French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin.
In Italy, where President Mubarak wrapped up his European tour, the Egyptian leader held talks with Italian President Carlo Ciampi and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
After meeting Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi, Mubarak said the US and its allies needed to do more homework before launching a war.
"We must examine closely and discuss carefully how and what should be done, certainly before taking any kind of action," he said at the airport as he left the country to return to Egypt.
Information Minister Safwat el-Sherif, a member of the delegation accompanying Mubarak, said the two countries shared identical views on "the importance of combatting all forms of terrorism and condemnation of criminal acts against civilians."
Mubarak, Sherif told reporters, stressed the importance of coordinating international efforts to uproot terror.
He also called for solving issues "that create violence and cause terrorism on the international arena." Mubarak was clearly referring to the deadlocked Middle East peace process and the brutal year-long Israeli aggression against Palestinian civilians.
Mubarak also highlighted the importance of achieving a just, comprehensive and durable peace in the Middle East and urged the European Union and the United States to pressure Israel to return to the negotiations table.
"Uprooting terrorism needs solving the Palestinian issue and achieving peace in the Middle East," Sherif quoted Mubarak as telling Italian leaders.
BACKHOMETOP