INTERVIEW WITH AMRE MOUSSA,
FOREIGN MINISTER OF EGYPT

Rome, Italy

Interview with the BBC

18 February 2001

Excerpts

Minister of Foreign Affairs Amre Moussa noted that U.S. air strikes against Iraq came as a surprise for all of us. We cannot agree on what happened, by any means. He stressed that Egypt, as a responsible Arab country, would never agree on attacking Iraq, this way, in defiance of legitimacy.

In an interview for the BBC's Arabic section, in Rome, Foreign Minister Moussa further added the Egyptian government did not know in advance of the American bombing, and was not informed of. He noted, in this respect, he heard the news on these air strikes against Iraq on CNN, and President Mubarak heard of the shocking news on TV and from news agencies.

A dialogue, between UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Iraq was scheduled for the last week of February. All messages could have been conveyed through this dialogue, through diplomatic channels. Setting a date for the outset of this prospective dialogue or negotiations, on the situation in Iraq, within the framework of UN resolutions, deemed appropriate for expressing any stand on the part of any state. Foreign Minister Moussa also noted this U.S. message was of deep negative impact on the Arab public opinion, which will remain in anger and dismay of what happened.

Replying to a question on any contacts between the new U.S. administration and Egypt on the Middle East peace issue. Foreign Minister Moussa noted there were preliminary contacts. But the peace process will be dealt with, for the first time, with Secretary of State Colin Powell, during his coming visit to the region, next week.

This visit would be an opportunity to talk at length, he further added, about peace in the Middle East, prospects ahead, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the issue of Iraq, in addition to other issues of high priority for peace and stability in the Middle East

Asked about his perspective on the situation, following the sudden alliance between Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon and Ehud Barak, with regard to negotiations and the peace process. Foreign Minister Moussa reiterated the new government would be put to test upon announcement of its policies, regardless of persons. All of its members have history that is known to us.

However, the new situation, in reference to an Israeli government headed by Sharon, with membership of Barak, Peres, and another group of the extreme right, would be conducive to tension. But anyway, Foreign Minister Moussa preferred to defer any comment until the new Israeli government puts forward its policy, instead of commenting on its members.

On his candidacy for Arab League Secretary General and some reported comments on the new position portrayed as limiting him to some kind of a rigid post. Minister of Foreign Affairs Amre Moussa rejected such a definition of the Secretary-General position, noting the highly important mandated task of the League of Arab States, in the new Arab order, stemming preliminarily from the periodic holding of an Arab summit, every year, discussing Arab problems together. He further believes in the large room available for prospective achievement, in the context of Arab diplomacy, forging coordination, with a view to contributing effectively to building up the new Arab order, a task he considers noble, of high importance -- praying God for success.