Mofaz, Mubarak to meet in Cairo

Defense Minister and Egyptian president will discuss Egyptian-Gazan border; earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calls on Israel to ease conditions on Palestinians by lifting restrictions on Gaza crossings Diana Bahur-Nir Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz is scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday in Cairo. The two are expected to discuss the Rafah border crossing and the conditions needed for its reopening, following the completion of the disengagement. “The visit is part of a diplomatic-strategic line led by Mofaz,” said a source from the Defense Ministry. “He will deal with different issues connected to the new reality after the disengagement. Among other things, the two will discuss the Gaza crossings,” said the source. Mofaz met with Vice Premier Shimon Peres on Tuesday, and discussed the division of responsibilities among the two on all issues concerning the Gaza Strip. Mofaz and Peres agreed that the crossings from Gaza to Israel will be under Mofaz’s jurisdiction, as they fall under the security umbrella, while other issues, such as connecting Gaza to the West Bank, aiding the Quartet, and developing Gaza will all fall under the Authority of Peres. A security source told Ynet that “it has been agreed in principle that an Egyptian-Palestinian passageway will be established, under the observation of an international third party, and under observation by Israel via video cameras.” Al Qaeda fears Meanwhile, a diplomatic source has said that “the minute Israel loses control over the flow of people and equipment into Gaza, there is a chance that Al Qaeda members, or other hostile forces, may enter the area. Weapons could be smuggled in under such circumstances. While Israel is ending its presence in the Strip, it still has the full right and obligation to observe what enters the area in order to secure its safety.” Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Israel to ease conditions on Palestinians by lifting restrictions on Gaza crossings. Her comments came a day after the publication of a letter by Middle East envoy James Wolfensohn, in which he claimed that Israel was acting as if the Gaza withdrawal had never taken place.
BPI-info