Immediate divergence on tactical matters
WASHINGTON: The United States and Egypt met in a rekindled strategic dialogue dedicated to strengthening the two countries relationship. Foreign Minister Ahmed-Abul Gheit and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice then clearly showed major differences at least in their tactical outlooks.
In brief comments during a photo opportunity, Abul-Gheit used the word cease-fire three times; Rice did not say it once, telling a reporter who used the word that a cessation of violence would be good when conditions are right.
We have to make certain that anything that we do is going to be of lasting value, she said. Abul-Gheit left no doubt of Egypt s preferences about how to stop Israel s action against targets in Lebanon and Hezbollah militants rocketing of cities and towns inIsrael. He said he and Rice had discussed ways and means how to bring a cessation of hostilities … to establish a cease-fire, how to create the conducive environment for that cease-fire.
A cease-fire is imperative, and we have to keep working to reach that objective, he later told an inquiring reporter. It is imperative. We have to bring it to an end as soon as possible.
Abul-Gheit turned to leave the podium, and the questioner shouted: Should there be a cease-fire now?
Rice quickly stepped to the microphone and said: We all agree that it should happen as soon as possible when conditions are conducive to do so.
Rice warned that diplomacy aimed at ending the crisis should be targeted at action that is going to be of lasting value. The Middle East has been through too many spasms of violence, and we have to deal with underlying conditions so that we can create sustainable conditions for political progress there, Rice said. As to my own involvement, I am very deeply involved with my colleagues, with the regional states like Egypt, Rice said, adding she had spoken with colleagues in the Group of Eight industrialized nations, and the permanent five members of the UN Security Council.
She also said she talked Tuesday to European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who was preparing to head back to the Middle East after a snap weekend visit to Lebanon.
In their strategic dialogue discussions, Rice and Abul-Gheit said they discussed economic development, internal political developments in Egypt and the region and the challenging situation in the region.
The discussions were the first between Egypt and the United States since 1999. Rice and Abul-Gheit discussed a return to the dialogue in February, and Assistant Secretary of State David Welch invited Abul-Gheit to Washington last week.
The United States has such dialogues with many countries including India, Pakistan, South Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia. Agencies
