| In the middle of next week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will make a two-day trip to Israel and Jordan. The main topic of the negotiations is the Middle East settlement. Its prospects were also discussed in Moscow by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-GHEIT. Vremya Novostei columnist Elena SUPONINA talks to him.
— Mister Minister, how do people in Cairo perceive the Russian idea of holding a representative international conference on the Middle East in Moscow this fall? Considering that the Israelis are against it?
— We discussed this idea at the negotiations in Moscow. This is a good idea, it will give impetus to the Middle East settlement in accordance with the international Road Map plan. After all, Egypt is the main Middle Eastern state. And we are for a political settlement of all problems in the region so that there is peace. This first of all presupposes a fair settlement of the Palestinian problem. We maintain contacts with the Palestinians, the Israelis, and the international quartet on the Middle East settlement. (The quartet includes the UN, Russia, the European Union and the USA. - Ed. ) Having now met with all members of the quartet, we have reached an agreement that representatives of Egypt and Jordan will take part in its future meetings. We hope this comes true.
-- Egypt is helping Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad adhere to a truce with Israel. Is there anything new here?
- We are going to hold a meeting in Cairo of the leaders of all Palestinian movements in order to make their truce with the Israelis more durable and long-lasting. By the way, the previous agreement (in the spring of this year - Ed. ) on such a truce was reached in Cairo.
— Will such a meeting take place this month?
- Not necessarily this month, but we are already preparing it so that it will take place in the near future. The Palestinians need to develop a common position on how to interact with Israel. And it is necessary to strengthen the previously reached agreements on a truce.
-What is your idea? Do you think that Hamas and Islamic Jihad can join the Palestinian government?
- This will depend largely on what position Islamic Jihad and Hamas take. If they engage exclusively in political activities, adjust their views and enter parliament after the January elections in Palestine, then this is a different matter. In this case, we hope, they will be able to agree with Fatah (the “Palestine Liberation Movement”, which is actually the ruling one. - Ed. ) on fruitful joint participation in the construction of a future Palestinian state that will live in peace with the neighboring state of Israel.
-- Israelis consider Hamas and Islamic Jihad to be terrorist organizations. Meanwhile, you negotiate with them and at the same time you also suffer from terrorism. Does this mean that Egypt understands the problem of terrorism differently?
- A terrorist is someone who kills civilians. The definition of “terrorist” can include the actions of not only individuals or organizations, but also often states whose military actions also include civilians as victims. If a bomb or artillery shell hits an ordinary house, killing innocent people, then this is also an act of terrorism.
-- The world is talking about international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, but Egypt faces problems when it demands Britain to extradite Egyptians suspected of terrorism. An example is the Egyptian Abu Hamza al-Misri, nicknamed Iron Hand, who has been held in a British prison since May last year, and before that preached in a mosque in London. Have you secured his release?
- We continue to discuss this issue not only with the UK, but also with other European countries. We have been demanding the extradition of such persons from the British for many years. But Europeans refer either to the fact that these people enjoy the rights of political emigrants, or to the fact that human rights protection standards apply to them.
- But you could agree if you guaranteed the Europeans that the death penalty would not be applied to these individuals...
- Egyptian laws must apply to everyone without exception. We cannot make exceptions for a few citizens. Interviewed by Elena SUPONINA
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