Rice WIth Egyptian Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit

Remarks With Egyptian Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit

Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Luxor, Egypt
January 15, 2007

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: (As translated.) Dr. Rice, of course this is Luxor, and we are very happy and delighted to have her here in this beautiful part of Egypt. The Secretary of State met with President Mubarak and she had an intensive discussions about the general situation in the Middle East, specifically about the Iraqi situation, the Palestinian issues and how to control the situation in Iraq and how can we secure for Iraq the stability.

There is an Egyptian conviction that President Bush's plan to deal with the situation in the Baghdad area is a plan that we hope that it will achieve success and would lead to that desired level of stability in Iraq.

Of course, there was a discussion and the American side explained the elements of that plan and the basis for that plan, as well as the rationale for it. Also, there was discussion regarding the various meetings that Dr. Rice had in Ramallah and in Israel and how can she see the movement of the peace process and how to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian relationship, and how can we succeed in moving the peace process forward.

Also, there was discussions about other regional issues. For example, the situation in Somalia and in Darfur and how can we secure stability in Darfur. The issue of Lebanon also was not far away from the discussions. There was also a need, in order to reach calm in Lebanon and to allow the government of Prime Minister Siniora to move in its way and to secure success for terrorist-free conference. And it's a conference that we think and we believe that both the Egyptian side and the American side agree about the importance of making that conference a -- successful, and to secure and ensure the political process in Lebanon.

Generally speaking, the meeting was good and productive and positive. And we agreed that this level of meetings in future visits should happen. And I will be visiting with General Omar Soliman and other Egyptian ministers. We will be going there to visit and discuss -- general discussions about the situation in the Middle East, as well as bilateral Egyptian-American relationship, which we believe that this relationship is stable, positive, warm and mutual cooperation. Thank you.

SECRETARY RICE: Thank you very much, Minister, for receiving me here. I especially want to thank President Mubarak for receiving me and for spending so much time with me to talk about the issues of common interest here in the Middle East. Obviously, the relationship with Egypt is an important strategic relationship; one that we value greatly. We've had a chance to talk about a variety of issues. I've had a chance -- we've had a chance to talk about bilateral issues, of course, about the course of internal developments here in Egypt.

We have also had an opportunity to talk about the recent discussions that I had in Israel and in the Palestinian territories that we hope will lead to further work on a political horizon for the Palestinian people that would lead, ultimately, to the establishment of a Palestinian state. I think that our conversations about this were rich. I've always valued the advice and counsel of President Mubarak on this issue. I explained that I will soon meet with Prime Minister Olmert and with President Abbas to have discussions about the broad issues on the horizon so that we can work on the road map to try and accelerate the road map and to move to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

We did talk about Iraq. I came, in part, to brief our Egyptian friends on the president's plans for Iraq. Thank you very much for listening to that, for your will to be a positive force concerning the president's plan. And we will continue our discussions of that plan as it unfolds. We also did discuss a number of other issues in the Middle East. And, as the foreign minister has said, we expect -- I expect to receive him and General Soliman within the next couple of weeks in Washington because this is obviously a period of intensive discussion and consultation about matters in the Middle East.

So thank you very much for having me here. And I guess we'll now take questions.

QUESTION: (inaudible) First, for Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit: What's your view toward the Bush new strategy toward Iraq? And for you, Madam Secretary, please: Don't you think it's a contradiction for President Bush to criticize indirectly countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan and then, yet, ask for their support? And what, exactly, do you want from these countries, troops or other? And is there a date for the meeting with Olmert and Abbas?

SECRETARY RICE: In fact, I was talking with the foreign minister about the president's point that we share risks and we share responsibility, which I think is the line that you're talking about in his speech. And I think we see it as a statement of fact that we share risk and we share responsibility, because this is an area of the world which will very much be affected by how Iraq turns out. And the point that the president was making is that our friends here, particularly those who we believe share a common interest and, in fact, common views of how the -- what we need to do in support of Lebanon, in support of an Iraq that is for all Iraqis, where Sunni, Shia and Kurds have equal treatment in Iraq -- I think that his point was that those are the people with whom we really need to start our diplomacy, so that we have a common strategy for going forward. And that was the meaning of that, not criticism, but rather a real belief that these are our natural allies in stabilizing Iraq, in having an Iraq that is unified and an Iraq that can defend itself against the foreign influences, including influences that may be there from Iran. And so, that was my -- that was the point.

QUESTION: The date for...

SECRETARY RICE: We don't have a date yet. It will be relatively soon, but I can't give you a date.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: And in response to your question, with the explanations of the secretary, we understand the dynamics and the needs for the rendition of that strategic outlook of the United States. We are supportive of that plan, because we are hopeful that that plan would lead to, ensure, the stability, the unity and the cohesion of the Iraqi government. We are hopeful that the plan would lead toward the dismantlement of whatever terror organizations as well as the military militias that are tormenting the Iraqi scene. Of course, helping Iraq to help itself is to work for certain amendments to the constitution in order to allow all factions and all Iraqi colors and all Iraqi forces to be on board on the process. So we are hopeful that that plan would lead to everything that we have stated as objectives for the plan in order to ensure the stability and the security of Iraq.

QUESTION: Madam Secretary, what did you hear today and yesterday that leads you to believe this three-way meeting will lead to anything more than frustration and disappointment in the region, given the political weakness of Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas? And could you also explain what you specifically mean by this new buzzword "political horizon" and how that fits into the context of the road map?

And for the foreign minister: Would Egypt be willing to attend this meeting or host this meeting? And will Egypt now finally end the smuggling that has been allowing Hamas to build up its military might?

SECRETARY RICE: I count four questions that you just asked, but let us endeavor to answer them. First of all, it's very interesting -- I came, I said we were going to deepen American involvement. We were really going to try to help the parties come together to look at how they can move through the road map. And it's very clear what we mean by "broader issues." We mean what would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. And there are a number of issues -- some old, some new -- that will ultimately have to be resolved if there is to be a Palestinian state. And I appreciate very much that Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas, within the context of the road map, want to start that discussion.

Now, the parties haven't talked about these issues for a long time. It's been at least six years since they talked about these issues. It seems wise to begin this, as -- what President Abbas has called an informal discussion, to just really sit and talk about the issues.

I am very clear that the one thing that you do not want to do is to try to rush to formal negotiations before things are fully prepared, before people are fully prepared. But that doesn't mean that there can't be progress as we're moving along.

We, obviously, are also working with the Egyptians not just on the issues on the horizon, but on the issues that are there day to day -- as Egypt works at Rafah, as Egypt works to help with the reform of the security forces of the Palestinians, as Egypt has been a very important political support for President Abbas and, frankly, tireless in trying to secure the release of Corporal Shalit, which would clearly accelerate the process of reconciliation.

So Egypt is really a partner. But before we say that this is going to end in frustration, let's be glad that after six years and a long time that the parties want to engage in an informal set of discussions about the future between them.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: You want me to respond to the question after that explanation? Very well, then.

(LAUGHTER)

Listen, there is an objective. And the objective is the establishment of a Palestinian state on the territories that have been occupied since 1967. In order to do this, you have to negotiate. Prior to negotiating, you have to talk, to resume discussions. They have been -- as the secretary said, they have been not doing anything but fighting against each other for the last six years.

So, first, there should be what I call a stabilization phase, where you stabilize the scene -- you stabilize the scene internally within the Palestinians as well as the relation between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Then you would start the second phase, hopefully, very soon, whereby everything is discussed in relation to the establishment of this state. We and Egypt feel that the end game is important; that perceptions on what do we mean by the end game. And then, in reverse, how to implement whatever that has been agreed between the Israelis and the Palestinians in relation to the end game.

Whether Egypt would host the parties, as well as the secretaries, you are always welcome, where, hopefully, in this beautiful setting, hopefully in Sharm, hopefully every- or anywhere in Egypt.

SECRETARY RICE: Let me just say, Egypt has a lot of beautiful places. That's very obvious. Could I just add one thing? I want to be very clear -- we have no -- I have no intention of supplanting what is a developing, fruitful channel bilaterally between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas. It is not the intention of the United States that every time the Israelis and the Palestinians want to meet that the United States has to be there. We'll see when American presence is needed. But I do think they have established, on that first meeting, a good channel.

And secondly, the road map remains for all parties the internationally agreed way of leading to a Palestinian state. But I'm just very glad that we're going to be able to have these informal, broader discussions.

QUESTION: There are two questions, the first for Ms. Rice. In President Bush's new strategy toward Iraq, he asked for the support of the allies -- the natural allies. Egypt is among those countries. And we know that President Mubarak has warned Mr. Bush before the execution of Saddam, and today we have two other executions. So how come President Bush is asking for the support without listening to the warnings? That's my first question. My second question, I'll say that in Arabic.

QUESTION: (As translated.) Mr. Minister, are there any specific plans or specific steps that will aim at reviving the peace process and were introduced by Egypt during this visit on the basis of Mr. Mubarak's letter to President Bush?

SECRETARY RICE: On the first point, let me just say that the decisions concerning the execution of Saddam Hussein and the two defendants today obviously were made according to Iraqi processes and Iraqi law. I would be the first to say that we were disappointed that there was not greater dignity given to the accused under these circumstances. I think that passions run high after years of turmoil, under dictatorship, and that is apparently what happened. But it shouldn't have happened and I think that it did not reflect well on the Iraqi government that it came out that way. I think that Prime Minister Maliki ordered an investigation of what has happened in regards to the execution of Saddam Hussein and the pictures. And I hope that those who are responsible for the way that that came out will, indeed, be punished. But the United States was very aware that these were Iraqi decisions.

I will say that there was a trial, evidence was presented. It is -- we have to remember that there were a lot of victims of Saddam's reign as well, and to remember them as we go through this period. But there's no doubt that it should have been handled with dignity. That is -- should have been befitting for any event of this magnitude.

And on the second point, we've been having consultations, not sharing specific plans, because, as I said, I think we want to prepare anything that may go forward. It doesn't mean, by the way, that, as we're working along the road map, we can really intensify our efforts also on the road map, because this is all in the context of the road map. The first phase really needs to be accelerated. And I think both parties should really adhere to the obligations that they have in the first phase of the road map as well.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: Allow me, Secretary.

SECRETARY RICE: Oh, sure.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: (As translated.) Regarding the question, the objective is to launch negotiations once again. In order to launch the negotiations once again, to achieve the objective of establishing a Palestinian state, we must move through various phases. For example, the first phase is to implement the agreements the two sides have signed in the past, the Israelis and the Palestinians.

For example, two weeks ago, the Israeli Prime Minister met with the Palestinian President and they agreed both on a series of steps. Until now, we have not seen implementation of these steps. We have to accelerate the implementation of what they agreed on. We hope that we will be able to expand carrying out the various steps that might reach to a total calm. And we hope to achieve this phase of stability. Then after that, we can move into a more advanced phase, either to implement the roadmap in an accelerated way, or we can talk about the phase of permanent status agreement and what are the elements of a permanent status agreement and how can we achieve that through discussions first, then through negotiations, and after that you carry out the agreements. Right now, we are at the first phase, which is confidence building, and to prepare the ground, so to speak, to bring back an active peace process.

QUESTION: Madam Secretary, did you ask for -- in Iraq, for any specific support from Egypt? And, Mr. Minister, is Egypt prepared to do anything -- and if yes, what -- to help with the implementation of President Bush's new plan on Iraq? The secretary has asked, for example, that you perhaps send an ambassador to Baghdad. And are you also concerned about the Iranian influence in Iraq? Do you share Washington's opinion that influence of Iran in Iraq should be countered? And what are you prepared to do to help that?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, the support of the Egyptians and others for the president's plan really requires, more than anything, support for the kind of Iraq that we all want to see. That means encouraging, for instance, all Iraqi groups to be participants in the process. And I know that Egypt has done work with, particularly, Sunni groups and others to help to bring them into the process. That's extremely important work. Egypt has had active diplomatic missions in Iraq. I understand...

SECRETARY RICE: I was going to say. I understand...

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: (OFF-MIKE)

SECRETARY RICE: Yes, I was going to say -- that was exactly my point. Egypt, in fact, endured a sacrifice as a result of that -- stepping up to that diplomatic activity. And so I think that Egypt has tried to help. We all need to redouble our efforts to try and help stabilize Iraq. But, ultimately, let me say that I said when I was in Washington -- so much depends now on the Iraqi government and what the Iraqi government does.

The president, I think, made very clear in this speech, and I think Secretary Gates and I made clear in our testimony, that we are determined to support an Iraqi government that is seeking national reconciliation, that is prepared to deal in an even-handed way with any people who are killing innocent Iraqis whether they are Shia or Sunni, that it's prepared to, under a national reconciliation, work toward an oil law, which we continue to understand is close to completion, or deBaathification or - reforming deBaathification -- all of the elements that the president talked about.

It's really time for Iraqi responsibility. They're an elected government of the Iraqi people. They've been in office now not very long -- less than a year, nine months or so. But when Prime Minister Maliki came to Amman, he said, "This is our responsibility." We agree it's Iraq's responsibility now to act on behalf of all of its people.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: Secretary, allow me please to respond in Arabic, if I may, to the question.

FOREIGN MINISTER GHEIT: (As translated.) Regarding the Egyptian position and its attempts to help Iraq to get out of this painful and tragic situation, we and Egypt as the largest Arab country, we understand and are prepared to support and re-support the American strategy, and we hope that it will be carried out with the objective of achieving stability in Iraq. We work towards establishing a strong Iraqi government. We hope that this plan will enhance the work of the Iraqi government and strengthening its hands. But the way to do this, and I believe that also it's a part of the plan and its objectives, the road to do this is to deal with the militias in a way to end this threat.

The Iraqi militias of he Iraqi territories is a threat to the Iraqi people and to the Iraqi state and to the Iraqi government. Therefore, this has to be dealt with. We have to finish off the presence of militias on the ground. Also we have to work to convince and persuade all segments of the Iraqi society and the various Iraqi political organizations to join the political process. I hope and I trust that all of this is a part of the plan. If that happens through constitutional amendments, this will encourage all of us, and would allow us to achieve this strategy.

The third dimension is to rebuild the military capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces. And here, Egypt has said before, it is prepared to train Iraqi officers and soldiers as the plan requires in order to achieve the ultimate objective, which is Iraqi armed forces capable of defending Iraq and forces that can secure the capital and other cities. And that would lead to the intended stability. And this is the Egyptian vision and we believe this would lead to the gradual withdrawal of the foreign forces from Iraq, which would lead to bring Iraq to play its full role in the Arab policies and in the regional and international policies. Thank you.

Regarding Iran, Egypt reaffirms that no one should interfere in the internal affairs of Iraq. And there are indications that there are some elements trying to interfere in the Iraqi affairs. This must stop. Regional powers must stop working in Iraqi territories. And I believe this issue is an issue of discussions that will take place in Kuwait tomorrow when the Secretary of State will meet with the foreign ministers of the GCC as well as the foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan. Within that framework, we will discuss the Iraqi issue and how can we ensure no outside interference inside the Iraqi territories. These interferences, there is no doubt it has negative impact. And they do not serve the Iraqi future, but they serve the narrow objectives of these parties that get involved in Iraq.

2007/T1-5

ENDS

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