Arab Criticism of USA's Inaction in the Middle East on the Rise

14/04/2001| IslamWeb

CAIRO, AMMAN, (Islamweb & News Agencies)-Egypt and Jordan have accused the US of failing to curb the escalating violence between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak warned that if the US continued to hold back, security in the whole region would be jeopardised."The situation requires America take a stand. If the Americans hesitate, it is dangerous for the region, for our interests and even for the Israeli people," he said.(Read photo caption below) Both Egypt and Jordan have peace agreements with Israel.


Bush Remarks Outrageous

US President George W Bush made clear on Friday that he believed the burden for starting the peace process in the region lay with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

"If the Palestinians are interested in a dialogue, then I would strongly urge Mr Arafat to put 100 percent effort into stopping the terrorist activity, and I believe he can do a better job of doing that," he said.Political leaders in Jordan say the remarks constituted an "encouragement" to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to "pursue the escalation" of violence.

"We fear that the American president's declarations throw responsibility for the violence on the Palestinians," said Jordan's Information Minister Salih Kallab in a statement.

Speaking in Damascus, Palestinian Secretary of International Organizations and Planning, Dr. Nabil Shaath said it looks as though the White House is now giving Israel the green light to kill Palestinians at will.

PHOTO CAPTION:
President Mubarak of Egypt worried about USA inaction.