EGYPT PREPARES FOR PROSPECT OF CONFLICT

LONDON [MENL] -- Egypt is preparing for the prospect of conflict with Israel.

The London-based Sunday Times said Egypt is considering sending its Third Army into the demilitarized Sinai peninsula. The newspaper, quoting a senior Egyptian security source, said on Sunday that Cairo would send in the army if Israel moves into Palestinian territories.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the newspaper said, has come under increasing pressure to help the Palestinians. The Times said Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said Egypt has committed itself to helping the Palestinians against any Israeli attack.

Mubarak has not taken any action. A Third Army exercise is expected east of Cairo next month.

Israeli security sources said the prospect of an Egyptian military intervention is being considered. They told the Times that an Egyptian invasion of the Sinai would be regarded as a violation of the 1979 peace treaty with Israel.

http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2001/august/08_13_1.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), August 12, 2001

Answers

Egypt's Maher says 'gang of assassins' lead Israel

CAIRO, EGYPT; August 12, 2001

Reuters News Service, Copyright, Fair Use for Education and Research Only

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher on August 6 launched a scathing attack on Israel's rightwing government, labeling it as a "gang of assassins" over its policy of targeted attacks against some Palestinians.

Palestinian officials have accused Israel of assassinating some 60 activists since an uprising against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip erupted in September after peace talks stalled.

The United States, Israel's ally, and other countries have condemned the policy described by Israeli leaders as active self-defense.

"Israel's policy violates all laws and conventions," Maher told reporters in Cairo. "It is unprecedented for a government to become a gang which assassinates people, which uses the methods of gangs in assassinating people."

"No civilized government which believes in the law can accept this behavior," he added.

He spoke after a meeting with U.S. Charge d'Affaires Reno Harnish in Cairo. Maher said he called Harnish in to express Egypt's concern about the Israeli attacks.

"I told the American official that Egypt is surprised that the United States has not responded to Israeli behavior with more decisiveness," Maher said, adding he had asked Germany to press the United States to take a more decisive stance against Israel.

"This behavior has put peace in the region in danger and put the interests of all countries in the region, the United States and the West, in danger," he added.

Egypt, the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel, recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv last November in protest against what it said was Israel's excessive response to the Palestinian uprising.

At least 513 Palestinians, 131 Israelis and 13 Israeli Arabs have been killed since the start of the uprising.

-- Robert Riggs (rxr999@yahoo.com), August 13, 2001.