Mubarak-mitterrand Talks Slated for Later This Month in Paris

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will visit Paris later this month for talks with President Francois Mitterrand. The two will meet before Mitterrand’s forthcoming trip to Damascus next month and before Israeli Premier Shimon Peres’ expected visit to Paris. In spite of French official denials, there are continued unconfirmed reports of a possible French diplomatic initiative in the Middle East.

Mitterrand, these reports say, would like to improve his public image through a success in foreign affairs to compensate for internal economic difficulties. The French openly say that since the failure of America’s policy in Lebanon, the field is open for other Western initiatives in the area.