Reuters


Arafat Death Eliminates Mideast Excuses -Mubarak

Date: Wed Nov 24

MADRID (Reuters) - The death of Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) means there are no more excuses for delaying the Middle East peace process, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (news - web sites) said on Wednesday.

"Some parties used Arafat as an excuse for not advancing in the peace process. Now that he has passed away we must not look for more excuses not to move forward," Mubarak told a news conference in Madrid.

Mubarak, speaking after meeting Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, called on the Palestinians to do their part, saying "there should be cooperation within the Palestinian leadership to advance toward a peace process."

It was Mubarak and Zapatero's first official meeting since Zapatero was elected in March and shifted Spanish foreign policy from one of steadfast support for the United States to a closer alliance with France and Germany.

Spain has launched a diplomatic drive to promote a more active role for Europe in Middle East peacemaking.

"There have been plenty of arguments and excuses (against peace talks). What we really need is political will ... God willing, 2005 will be the year that peace talks can culminate in the coexistence of two states (Israel and Palestine)," Zapatero said.

Source

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