JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH AMRE MOUSSA,
FOREIGN MINISTER OF EGYPT
and
COLIN L. POWELL,
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE

Cairo, Egypt

24 February 2001

Excerpts

.....

Secretary Powell also noted the need to relieve the burden of the Iraqi people while strengthening controls on Saddam Hussein's efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction, and means of their delivery.

He further pointed out the longstanding relations between Egypt and the United States, the "intensive military-to-military relationship, which grew stronger as we stood as comrades-in-arms to defend an Arab state--Kuwait--from unprecedented aggression some ten years ago."

We stand ready, today, to meet any similar challenge to the international integrity and security of the states in the region.

Secretary Powell also underlined his country's cooperation with Egypt to further develop new opportunities for trade and investment, enhancing Egypt contribution to the global economy.

Another meeting is expected shortly, he added, noting President Bush invitation to President Mubarak, to visit Washington on April 2nd. And President Mubarak has accepted the invitation." President Bush and I look forward to seeing him then, to further cement our strong relationship with Egypt ".

Replying to a question on occasional U.S. air strikes against Iraq Secretary Powell clarified the purpose of the no-fly zones and the purpose of those occasional strikes was to defend and protect their pilots, not to pursue an aggressive stance against Iraq. they aim at defending the people the no-fly zones are designed to protect, in southern and northern Iraq. He reiterated the purpose of these zones in terms of protecting people, protecting Arabs, without affecting anything else in the region. We have to defend ourselves, he added, and we will always try to consult with our friends in the region, doing everything we can to explain the purpose of our responses.

He pointed out he had a very good discussion with President Mubarak and Foreign Minister Moussa on the nature of sanctions imposed on Iraq. He underlined the objective of these sanctions in terms of curbing Saddam Hussein's ambitions toward developing weapons of mass destruction. He underlined, in this context, constant review of their policies, making sure that sanctions are directed toward the objective for which they were designed. Sanctions, he believes, have worked, since Iraq could not develop any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction, and could not project conventional power against neighbors.

He characterized U.S. policies, in this regard, as having strengthened security for Iraq's neighbors, hence their continuity: " these are policies that we are going to keep in place, but we are always willing to review them to make sure that they are being carried out in a way that does not affect the Iraqi people but does affect the Iraqi regime's ambitions and the ability to acquire weapons of mass destruction". He further added he had a good conversation on this issue.

On the other hand, Foreign Minister Amre Moussa commented he would wish to borrow the expression of the U.S. Secretary in reference to the situation, which should be subject to constant reviewing. He further noted the Secretary also knows there is unhappiness because of what is taking place against Iraq.

He added the upcoming talks on the whole issue of Iraq, and relevant Security Council resolutions --expected to start after tomorrow in New York between the representatives of the Iraqi government and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan -- should be given full chance.

He pointed out, in this respect, sharing opinion on the importance of listening to what the Iraqis have to say concerning sanctions, and the situation after ten years since the second Gulf war. Hence, it deems necessary to give the forthcoming New York meeting its full opportunity in terms of engaging both sides, in talks, then we can have our judgment.

Answering a question on sanctions imposed on Iraq, Foreign Minister Moussa noted what Secretary Powell mentioned about reviewing sanctions on Iraq, and thinking of a new type of sanctions. Given the U.S. Secretary of State is thinking this way, then it would not be conceivable to expect a blank answer from any Arab foreign minister that sanctions should remain effective.

Sanctions so far have affected the Iraqi people, he went on saying. That is why they should be reconsidered as a weapon or one of the procedures the Security Council is resorting to. Foreign Minister Moussa further reiterated, in this respect, that focus should be more directed now toward the upcoming talks in New York, scheduled to start after tomorrow.

He characterized them as being very important for all of us -- for the U.S., for Egypt, for Arab countries, Iraq, the rest of the world, and for international legitimacy.

On his part, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell noted he shared opinion with Foreign Minister Moussa with regard to the importance of the upcoming talks between Iraqi officials and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. We will see whether they are serious. This meeting would also show whether Iraqis would want to move in the direction that would allow lifting sanctions.

Concerning the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, Secretary of State Colin Powell stated, " what we all have to be doing now is encouraging both sides at every level to reduce the level of violence, to begin speaking to one another again, to begin restoring economic activities, so that people can put food on the table, to begin restructuring the security arrangements that were lost. He underlined it is time for all of us to do the best we can to curb the ongoing violence, which is still high.