STATEMENT BY AMRE MOUSSA,
FOREIGN MINISTER OF EGYPT

Cairo, Egypt

19 March 2001

Excerpts

Minister of Foreign Affairs Amre Moussa underlined the situation in Iraq, and the suffering of the Iraqi people, should be tackled seriously, in response to a general need and feeling to this effect.

Upon conclusion of talks with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, Foreign Minister Moussa noted -- in reply to reporters' questions today -- the overall situation between Iraq and Kuwait will figure on the Arab summit agenda, in Amman. As for talks between Egypt and Kuwait, he pointed out they came within the framework of talking about moving forward, in light of the imperative need to discuss the issue in the summit.

Replying to a question on Kuwait position toward Iraq, going back to its firm stand on calling for an unequivocal Iraqi apology. Foreign Minister Moussa commented he does not see it this way, in terms of standing firm on that, but a gap still exists between the two parties.

Concerning what was reported on the point of deferring demands for loosening the blockade imposed on Iraq. Foreign Minister Moussa noted Kuwait did not ask for that.

.....