By Iyad Khalifah
Albawaba.com -Amman
Ambassador Hani Riyadh, Egypt’s envoy to the Arab League has not ruled out the possibility of reaching a satisfactory peace agreement to end the Arab-Israeli conflict during Sharon’s tenure.
“What is required from the Arabs at present is to cool down their heated statements,” he said in an interview with Albwaba.com Sunday.
The Egyptian diplomat believes that Arab fears of are groundless as far as the results of the Israeli elections are concerned.
“Eventually, we have to deal with Sharon because our demands are legitimate and he cannot impose unacceptable prepositions on us,” said Riyadh.
The Egyptian official added he would not be surprised if Sharon presents a feasible project to the Arabs, indicating that the hawkish leader is in a position to do so without being criticized or raising objects on the Israeli side.
“In other words,” Riyadh says, “the Israelis look at Sharon as a hero, and whoever kills more is the one who is be able to sign a peace agreement similar to what Menahim Begin did at (the first) Camp David despite the fact that he is always remembered as both a previous member of Hagana Gang which killed many innocent Arabs and Palestinians, and an Israeli prime minister with the most stringent political agenda.”
Riyadh pointed to the strict statement initially issued by Sharon indicating that “violence has started to subside.” He asked the Arabs to cool down so that Sharon will not find excuses in front of the International Community to take imprudent steps and actions. If Sharon has no excuses, he will appear crippled in the eyes of the Israelis.
The Egyptian official added that if Sharon keeps away from the extreme parties, his cabinet might survive longer. His overtures to the Labor Party are indicative of a push for peace.
The ambassador expected progress in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians to be achieved in few months “once the new Israeli government settles down.”
The diplomat’s statement came amid hardline stands taken by Arab states against Sharon’s rise to power, especially Egypt which reacted angrily at a statement by a Likud LP threatening of attacking the Arab country -- Albawaba.com
