Mubarak insists Palestinian, Iraqi solutions linked

The following are excerpts from a Washington Times interview yesterday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Houston:

Question: Mr. President, you had been looking for a commitment from President Bush at your meeting [Monday] that the proposed Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip would be seen in the context of the “road map” peace plan. You received that commitment?

Answer: I told him that the withdrawal from Gaza should be coordinated with the Palestinians, should be in consultation with the Palestinians, for one single reason: so they can prepare themselves to have the power to control Gaza after that. … Otherwise, it would be a big mistake. To just withdraw and leave everything would be very complicated.

Q: What role will Egypt play in Gaza if such a withdrawal takes place?

A: In Gaza, we are ready just to train the people, to give them instructions in how to work as police for the security, and to bring them to Egypt and train them — we know them very well — and to coordinate with them in how they can work in maintaining security against terror.

Q: Did President Bush also ask you to maintain security along the border, to prevent weapons from being smuggled into Gaza?

A: Look, my friend, this issue I am hearing it for years and years. We are making very strict efforts, but sometimes, on any border between any countries, smuggling can take place. … We are doing the maximum effort. We are not sending arms to any country. We don’t want any more escalation.

Q: [Israeli] Prime Minister [Ariel] Sharon announced yesterday that he wants to keep five of the largest settlements in the West Bank. How will this be received in the region?

A: If we are looking for peace and stability between both sides, we have to consult on each step toward withdrawal. To keep some settlements without the acceptance of the Palestinians — this will never happen. Let us be realistic: If you want peace, if you want to live together in harmony, we have to consult with each other.

I was preparing a meeting between Sharon and the prime minister of Palestine [Ahmed Qureia]. It was supposed to be held on the 16th of last month. I made tremendous efforts to contact Sharon and the Palestinians. Both agreed and the representatives from both sides met two times. Both of them said, “We had a very positive meeting.” I was encouraged by that. …

But there are elements on both sides that don’t want peace to prevail. [An Israeli military operation at Ashdoud in the West Bank] canceled the whole meeting. It could happen again. But we have to insist on the meeting.

Q: Did Sharon cancel the meeting?

A: Sharon canceled the meeting. We’ll try again.

Q: Did President Bush ask you for any particular help in Iraq?

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