PM Barak Begins New Peace Initiative

Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak has embarked on a new initiative in the political process. Prime Minister Barak noted that he intends to bring momentum to the political process and that regional leaders, as well as the Americans, will need to make every effort to find a way to conceive a better future for our region.

Latest update - Dec 9, 1999

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At the Cabinet meeting on Sunday, July 11, the Prime Minister clarified that, in the political sphere, he is examining ways to advance on the various negotiating tracks, and that no preference will be given to any particular track. The Prime Minister noted his assessment the political course will not be short, adding that he made it clear to President Mubarak and others with whom he met that terrorism must be fought vigorously.

PM Barak met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Alexandria, Egypt on Friday, July 9, 1999 and with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat at the Erez Checkpoint on Sunday, July 11.

The Jerusalem Post reported:

(Alexandria, July 11) Coming out of his breakfast meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Barak in Alexandria on Friday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak looked at ease, calling Barak a "friend" and a "man of his word" and saying that while he had high expectations for movement on the peace process, he was ready to let Barak set the pace. "I have great hope, but give the man some time, two months, something like this, to reshape the situation and to get a good estimation of the situation, so as to then move straight and steadily on with the peace process," said Mubarak at the press conference following the meeting. (full article)

(Erez, July 12) At his first meeting with Ehud Barak as prime minister yesterday, Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat called him "a dear friend and partner," talked of "the peace of the brave," and promised to contain terror. Barak responded with talk of "embarking on a new road to trust" and pledged his commitment to "changing the landscape of this region." Barak stressed more than once that his government is committed to fulfilling the agreement signed by former prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu. (full article)

Statements and communiques following meetings: