Arabs plan summit as U.S. presents demands
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SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, September 17, 2001
CAIRO Ñ Diplomatic sources said several Arab leaders are exploring the prospect
of a summit in wake of the suicide attacks in New York and Washington, Middle East Newsline reports.
The sources said the United States presented a list of seven demands to
Arab ambassadors over the weekend. These included an end to Arab government
links to terrorist groups as well as an end of Saudi support and recognition
to the Afghan ruling Taliban movement.
The summit is being supported by Saudi Arabia, the sources said. It is
not clear whether Egypt supports such a meeting. Egypt has already launched
a crackdown on Islamic militants and arrested dozens of suspects.
The sources said the Arab League wants to formulate a response to U.S. efforts
to organize an international campaign against terrorism.
One concern, the sources said, is that some Arab nations would agree to
cooperate with the United States. This could prompt a U.S. boycott
against those that refuse to join Washington.
The sources said the Arab leaders would discuss counterterrorism
cooperation between league members as well as that with the United States.
Another proposal that is being raised is to establish an apparatus for
counterterrorism.
The Riyad-based Okaz daily reported that the contacts to explore the
prospect of an Arab summit would end within a few days. The newspaper said
Arab envoys would be sent to the United States for consultations with the
Bush administration on forming a coalition against terrorism.
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