Jerusalem, 11 July 2000
PM Barak Meets Egyptian President Mubarak
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak yesterday
(Monday), July 10, 2000, met with Egyptian President Hosni
Mubarak in Cairo for approximately one hour in the framework of
the Prime Minister's talks with regional leaders ahead of his
departure for the Camp David summit.
Prime Minister Barak told President Mubarak that any agreement
will require both sides to compromise and added that we have
reached the time when leaders must rise above all other
considerations in order to achieve an agreement which will put an
end to the 100-year conflict.
Prime Minister Barak told his host that, "I am working to bring
about a settlement which will assure a secure future and a good
life for our children in a framework which will be based on the
principle of a stable and permanent separation between the two
peoples."
Prime Minister Barak pointed out the risks that will stem from
the failure to reach an agreement and added that major efforts
must be made to prevent an escalation and deterioration.
Prime Minister Barak raised the issue of Israeli citizen Azzam
Azzam and noted the great suffering that his prolonged
imprisonment in Egypt is causing him and his family; the Prime
Minister also noted the Israeli public's great concern for Azzam
Azzam's welfare.