Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, on his second day of an official visit to Washington, appears to have heard more questions than answers from President Reagan about the Egyptian leader’s efforts to push forward a new Middle East peace initiative with renewed U.S. involvement.
Although both Reagan and Mubarak spoke positively about their discussions this morning, neither mentioned any substantive results or new areas of agreement on how to proceed toward expanding the peace process.
In his statement at the White House, following today’s meeting, Reagan alluded to recent proposals by Mubarak which have included a call for direct negotiations between Israel and a joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation, as well as a subsequent suggestion to hold preliminary talks between the delegation and U.S. government officials.
Israeli Premier Shimon Peres has welcomed the first suggestion but rejected the second. Reagan Administration officials have appeared leary about pursuing Mubarak’s idea of preliminary talks, but have not discarded it out of hand.
PRAISED FOR POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION
Calling the Egyptian President’s recent suggestions “a positive contribution” Reagan said today, “We note particularly your realistic assessment that the path to peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors is through direct negotiations.”
Reagan stressed that “as was reaffirmed in my initiative of September 1, 1982, the United States also believes that the outcome of this process must also recognize the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”
Reagan’s statement on the Palestinians was similar to the one he made following a meeting with the Egyptian President during a visit to Washington last year. Mubarak is said to have embarrassed the Administration at that time, by calling on Reagan publicly to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization and its leader, Yasir Arafat.
FAILS TO MOVE REAGAN
No similar appeal was made in today’s departure remarks. But Mubarak did indicate that he had failed to move the American President on pursuing his suggestions.
“Destiny has chosen you to lead this great nation at a time when a golden opportunity for peace is available,” Mubarak told Reagan in his statement following their meeting. He added, “The Jordanian-Palestinian agreement to pursue a peaceful settlement is a major development that should not be discounted or discarded.”
He was referring to an agreement concluded last month between Arafat and King Hussein of Jordan on the formation of a joint PLO-Jordanian delegation to negotiate a Middle East settlement. The agreement accepts “United Nations and Security Council resolutions” but does not explicitly state resolutions 242 and 338. The U.S. has refused to recognize the PLO until it accepts those resolutions and specifically recognizes Israel’s right to exist.
NO U.S. COMMITMENTS
In a briefing this afternoon, a senior Administration official said today’s meeting had produced no U.S. commitments on Mubarak’s proposals. “It was a discussion where one answer led to another question, so its an unfolding process,” the officials said. But he added that Jordanian Foreign Minister Taher al-Masri is expected in Washington next week for further talks on expanding the peace process.
Mubarak is scheduled to meet this afternoon with members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee where he will be presented with a letter from Rep. Lawrence Smith (D. Fla.) calling for further improvements in Egyptian-Israeli relations. The letter has been signed by 98 Representatives.
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