Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 16:33:13 +0200
Egypt FM: We will no longer allow the US to interfere in our affairs
Foreign Minister Sameh Shokri speaks out about the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict and Cairo's relations with Ethiopia and the Gulf States.
Written by :
<http://www.aawsat.net/author/abdul-sattar-hatita-and-sawsan-abu-husain>
Abdul Sattar Hatita and Sawsan Abu-Husain
on : Tuesday, 22 Jul, 2014
Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat-As Israel continued its barrage against the Gaza
Strip this week, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shokri reiterated Cairo's
commitment to securing an immediate ceasefire to safeguard Palestinian
civilians, citing Egypt's "historical responsibility" towards the
Palestinian people.
As the conflict there entered its 14th day, Shokri stressed that Egypt would
not stand idly by while Palestinians are killed in the Gaza Strip. Sunday
witnessed the bloodiest day in the two-week conflict between Israel and
Hamas, with more than 100 Palestinians killed, mostly civilians.
In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Shokri detailed Egypt's
foreign policy towards a number of regional crises, not least the ongoing
Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Syrian crisis. The Egyptian foreign
minister also spoke about Cairo's relations with Ethiopia, the Gulf states
and Washington.
Asharq Al-Awsat: The Egyptian initiative for a ceasefire in Gaza has come at
a critical stage. Was this move spontaneous, or was it preceded by contact
with the concerned parties, specifically Israel and the Palestinian
factions? What are the most prominent elements of this initiative?
Sameh Shokri: First, let me make clear that Egypt bears a historical
responsibility toward the Palestinian people. As you know, Egypt has done
and continues to do much for the Palestinian cause, in the firm belief that
the Palestinian people have the right to establish a sovereign, independent
state along the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital. The Egyptian
initiative, with that in mind, is an expression of our confidence in the
importance of the work to stop the suffering of the Palestinian people under
attack in the Gaza Strip. Egypt cannot stand idly by while the number of
casualties and injuries increases. Our move was motivated to quickly stop
the attacks in order to secure the safety of the Palestinian people, first
and foremost, and also to alleviate their suffering and preserve their
dignity and right to live in safety.
It is a comprehensive initiative that goes well beyond the call for an
immediate ceasefire, despite its great importance, and includes other
elements such as timing and methods of implementation. It demands an end to
all hostilities, the prevention of any ground invasion, and that civilians
not be targeted. It further calls for a solution to opening borders and the
facilitation of the movement of people and goods through the border
crossings.
Q: What are the chances this initiative will succeed?
The chances of its success depend on the ability to implement it on the
ground, especially with regard to an immediate ceasefire. This is contingent
primarily on whether the concerned parties accept this proposal and
cooperate, but it also depends on the extent to which they are prepared to
accept responsibility for the continuation of military operations which are
killing innocent people in the Gaza Strip.
Allow me to take a moment here to say that the Egyptian initiative is not,
as you think, spontaneous or merely a reaction that doesn't take into
account the dimensions of the crisis and surrounding circumstances. Rather,
it is a natural result of Egypt's comprehensive efforts, based on a deep
understanding of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It is not an exaggeration
to say that we were expecting an escalation in tension, especially during
the recent period of worsening attacks by Israel. This led Egypt more than
once to caution all parties against the impasse that has damaged efforts to
achieve peace, given the noticeable increase in tension between Palestine
and Israel.
The purpose of our efforts is to address the real causes of the current
crisis and to reach a just and comprehensive solution to end the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This can be achieved through serious
negotiations conducted in accordance with a specified timetable and on the
basis of agreed terms and international principles.
Q: How do you view the reactions to this initiative from Arab states and the
international community? What did the foreign ministers discuss behind the
scenes at the emergency Arab League meeting on July 14?
Overall, Arab states and the international community have welcomed the
initiative. Arab states expressed their appreciation for it and committed
their support. This support was made evident when the ministers decided to
confirm their full support for the ceasefire initiative and demand that all
parties announce their acceptance and commitment to its terms at the Arab
League's emergency meeting. The Arab League also thanked Egypt for its
efforts to stop Israel's aggressive escalations and to deal with the
repercussions of the attacks on Gaza.
At the international level, I have received phone calls from a number of
foreign ministers in support of our efforts, including from the United
States, France, Germany, Greece, Canada and Australia, in addition to a
visit from Middle East Quartet Special Envoy Tony Blair.
Q: Can you comment on Egyptian relations with the Gulf states more
generally?
Egypt's relations with the Gulf states have been historically close, and
they have strengthened over the years. Egypt is primarily concerned with the
safety and security of the Gulf states and would not allow any acts against
them, because they are also a part of our national security in Egypt. Our
relations with the Gulf are political, economic, commercial, cultural, and
so on, and each field is continuously witnessing significant development.
There is also a high degree of mutual coordination in order to realize
security and stability in the region, particularly given the challenges
facing the Arab region at this time. I do not need to reiterate that we
appreciate the fact that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and
Bahrain stood with Egypt; their support embodies the spirit of Arab
solidarity. This is a solidarity we have called for and which has inspired
prominent [national] models in the history of the Arab nation.
Q: How have Cairo's relations with the Syria regime and opposition changed?
What is your view of the recent developments in Syria?
There is general consensus that there can be no military solution to the
crisis in Syria and that a political solution is the only option. Despite
this, the political solutions previously proposed have not worked, and that
includes the Geneva talks. This has led to the continuation of the military
conflict on the ground, where every armed party hopes that the conflict will
be resolved through a military solution, which we see as unlikely.
There are some in the moderate opposition forces that are willing to reach a
political solution, if that solution means moving toward a new stage of
Syrian governance that realizes the aspirations of the Syrian people for a
democratic state governed by neither sectarianism nor extremism. This is the
proposal backed by Egypt, and we will work to bolster it. We have worked
with the opposition forces to see their visions materialize and to unify
their position. We will continue to communicate with the Syrian National
Coalition, which we have welcomed in Egypt and which has a branch in Cairo.
We are also in communication with other opposition parties and continue to
push for a peaceful solution in coordination with Arab states, regional
powers and international forces, led by Russia and the United States.
Q: What can you tell us about the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance
Dam project? Has Cairo made any progress with Addis Ababa over resolving the
outstanding issues related to Nile water rights?
We feel that the recent developments in this case are the result of
concerted efforts made by Egyptian diplomacy. Thanks to these efforts, many
concerned parties and international financial institutions have changed
their position on the dam. This happened after we explained the legitimacy
of Egypt's concerns. Some of the Nile Basin countries have also changed
their positions to take into account Egypt's situation regarding the Nile,
given that it is a desert country with enormous population density and no
other source of water.
The most significant development came recently, during a meeting between the
Egyptian president and the Ethiopian prime minister in Malabo. There, both
countries highlighted that they have a serious desire to strengthen and
develop bilateral relations, and Ethiopia showed clear commitment not to
harm Egypt's water interests. A joint statement was issued in order to
express these understandings. That meeting has now inaugurated a new stage
where the leaders of these two countries look to establish a relation of
cooperation and mutual understanding through a commitment to the principles
of mutual respect, good neighborliness, respect for international law, and
the achievement of mutual profit. This new stage is also founded upon an
agreement to immediately start preparations for the Joint Bilateral
Commission over the next three months. It is further built on the
understanding that the Nile River is an essential resource for the
livelihood of the Egyptian people while also recognizing the needs of the
Ethiopian people for development. The importance of dialogue and avoiding
harming one another was also reiterated. Ethiopia also announced that it
welcomes a tripartite dialogue with Sudan to reach an agreement on the dam.
I would also like to point out the important meeting held between the
Egyptian president and the Tanzanian president that addressed the Tanzanian
proposal to reactivate dialogue between the Nile Basin countries in order to
find common ground and move beyond points of contention in the framework
agreement for the Nile Basin Initiative. Egypt appreciates this effort and
is currently considering it [the Tanzanian proposal]. Finally, I would like
to reiterate that the issue of water security is the responsibility of
various state agencies, not only the Foreign Ministry, given that it is a
security issue and we cannot be complacent in dealing with it.
Q: Can you tell us about developments concerning Egyptian ties with the
United States?
In general, Egypt's ties with the United States represent a strategic
relationship with a long history, through which both sides work to achieve
their common interests. Both parties understand the importance of this
relationship, although our views differ on a number of issues. The US
administration is well aware that Egypt will no longer allow it to interfere
in our affairs or accept any conditions on our interactions. This
relationship must continue on the principles of equality in dealing with one
another, security of our common interests, non-interference in domestic
affairs, and mutual respect.
This is an abridged version of an interview originally conducted in Arabic.
<http://www.aawsat.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/sameh-shokri.jpg> File
photo of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shokri taken on July 21, 2014.
(EPA/KHALED ELFIQI)
File photo of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shokri taken on July 21, 2014.
(EPA/KHALED ELFIQI)
(image/jpeg attachment: image003.jpg)