United States Ambassador to Egypt David Welch has said that Egypt's support for the US-led campaign against terrorism is "unwavering," stressing that Cairo-Washington ties are as good as ever, reported the Egyptian Gazette on Tuesday.
Addressing the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) this week, Welch said, "the importance of the US-Egyptian bilateral relationship has never been more evident. As the campaign against the Taliban and Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda organization proceeds, it is clear who our friends are. Like President Bush, I am gratified that we can count Egypt as one of our strongest supporters," he said.
Welch explained that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks against the US were attacks on all its friends and allies.
"Citizens of some 80 countries, including Egypt, were senselessly murdered that day," he pointed out. "Because of this, we have worked hard to bring together all those who share our determination to confront and destroy the threat of terrorism."
The ambassador said US strategists consulted closely with all American friends and allies, including Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, to draw up a strategy to root out terrorism.
"We have gone the extra mile to address several concerns expressed by our Muslim friends ever since the start of the crisis. We have not acted precipitately. Our response in Afghanistan was carefully considered, our actions were undertaken on the basis of firm evidence, and launched with a compelling international mandate," he said.
Egypt has been criticized in US media for what some parties have called a failure to provide enough support in the fight against terrorism, but US official reacted swiftly, stressing that its main ally in the region had been up to expectations and noting the pivotal role it plays in the region - Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
