Egypt warns U.S. of regional war if violence continues

Friday, November 24, 2000

CAIRO — Egypt has warned the United States of an Arab war against Israel if the violence continues in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The warning was relayed by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen during their meeting in Cairo on Wednesday, Arab diplomatic sources. The sources said Mubarak said the Arabs cannot stand by while the Palestinians are being attacked by Israel.

Mubarak was quoted as telling Cohen that Egypt would not return its ambassador to Israel until the violence ended against the Palestinians. Cohen urged Mubarak to reverse his decision to recall ambassador Mohammed Bassiouny, who returned to Egypt on Wednesday.

The Egyptian president also gave Cohen a letter to Barak. The letter said the first priority for Israel is to end the violence, a reference to Barak's opposition to the work of an international committee of enquiry to investigate the eight-week-old mini-war.

Mubarak's terms were issued as Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat arrived in Cairo. Arafat urged Mubarak to obtain funding for Palestinians on the eve of Thursday's meeting of Arab finance ministers.

Arab League finance ministers were scheduled to be addressed by Arafat. Last month, Arab leaders pledged to grant the Palestinians $1 billion in aid.

But Gulf countries, particularly Kuwait, have opposed a transfer of funds to Arafat. Instead, they proposed that the funding be sent directly to the Palestinians.

The finance ministers are expected to discuss a mechanism for the funding.