Egypt switches to low-key diplomacy on West Asia

By Kesava Menon

MANAMA (BAHRAIN), AUG. 19. There was a time when Egypt's President, Mr. Hosni Mubarak, was the most eager participant and host of the numerous summits and mini-summits held in connection with the West Asian peace process. Some of the summits or meetings held on Egyptian soil did give an impetus to the negotiations but Egypt of itself gained nothing other than creating the impression of being a regional busy-body trying to make itself relevant. Now, Egypt has switched to a quieter low- key form of diplomatic activism and even if it is not successful, it is at least more dignified.

The change in the way Egypt conducts itself these days has been exemplified by Mr. Mubarak himself. When the Palestinians were clamouring for the holding of a Arab summit, Mr. Mubarak coolly pointed out that such a summit would serve little purpose. The rest of the Arab world seeking to move a resolution at the U.N. Security Council demanding that Israel allow international monitors to enter the disturbed areas. Mr. Mubarak points out while he would welcome the presence of such observers he does not think they should be posted till a relative calm has been established and both Israel and the Palestinian concur with the move.

Mr. Mubarak's has come in for criticism for his refusal to support a summit call. The Palestinian Minister for International Co-operation, Mr. Nabil Shaathl, infuriated the Egyptians when he said that some of the Arab leaders were opposing the holding of a summit because they knew that they could not go as far as their masses were demanding that they go in terms of action against Israel. Mr. Mubarak's stance on the posting of international observers is also likely to attract similar Palestinian criticism. However, in the long run, it may be recognised the Egypt has made a singular contribution to the Arab cause.

Too often, the Arabs do their best to spoil their own case by adopting rhetoric that seems out of sync with modern-day sensibilities or by suggesting measures that have no chance of being implemented. If, in keeping with its traditional role as the intellectual leaders of the Arab world, Egypt is leading them to a more pragmatic and dignified manner of asserting their case they would have done the Arabs a world of good.

In keeping with its new style diplomacy, Egypt's National Security Advisor, Mr. Ossama al Baz, is in Washington discussing certain proposals on the ways to achieve at least a truce between Israel and the Palestinians. He has met with the Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell, and is to meet his U.S. counterpart, Ms. Condoleeza Rice. High power meetings but unlike it has so often happened after Arab interaction with U.S. officialdom there have been no bombastic expression of huge expectations. Mr. Al Baz has merely said that Egypt has put forward some proposals, as had the U.S. and that both sides needed to study the others' proposals before they could make comments.

While Mr. Al Baz has not disclosed the details of these proposals, it is possible that it could parallel proposals being promoted by Israel's Foreign Minister, Mr. Shimon Peres, whereby he suggests that Israel and the Palestinians move to enforce a cease-fire area by area. Mr. Peres has got the go-ahead from his Prime Minister, Mr. Ariel Sharon, to discuss his ideas with the Palestinian Authority President, Mr. Yasser Arafat.

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Section  : International
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