U.S. seeks to soften blow for Egypt of crash report

CAIRO [MENL] -- Egypt is enjoying a warm embrace from the United States as authorities in Washington are preparing to release a report that blames Cairo for the crash of its national airliner.

U.S. officials have been discussing the prospect of American investment in Egypt as a 15-member delegation from Congress is visiting the country. Egyptian officials are urging U.S. officials and members of Congress to help American companies invest in Egypt's communication and information sectors.

At a meeting with Prime Minister Atef Obeid, the members of Congress expressed understanding over the Christian-Muslim violence in the southern town of Kosheh in which more than 20 Christians were killed. The members of Congress said such violence could have taken place in the United States and praised the quick response by Egyptian authorities.

"The issue was a dispute between two people which developed and in which a number of onlookers took part," Obeid said.

The smiles, however, could turn to frowns over the next week. Egyptian sources said the government of President Hosni Mubarak has been told that the results of the National Transportation Safety Boad will be released regarding the Oct. 31 crash of the EgyptAir jet in which 217 people were killed.

The sources said the probe will blame the crash on sabotage and raise the prospect that a suicide pilot brought down the plane. The release of the report has been delayed, they said, to ease the prospect of tension between Cairo and Washington.

Egyptian diplomats have already prepared responses to the report. Egypt's ambassador to Washington, Nabil Fahmy, has complained that the entire U.S. investigation is based on an Islamic phrase uttered by an assistant pilot.

"There is not enough understanding for the Egyptian society in the United States nor enough understanding for the American society in the Egyptian arena." Fahmy said.

Fahmy, however, added that relations between Egypt and the United States "in a very good condition and prominent." He called for further development of relations by "building on points of agreement and holding a dialogue on points of disagreement."