Egyptian Foreign Minister: Iran Is Holding the Region Hostage

In an interview with the London daily Al-Hayat, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit leveled harsh criticism against Iran, accusing it of holding the Middle East hostage. He also criticized the Arabs who support Iran, especially Syria and Hamas, for allowing Iran to intervene in their affairs, and rejected criticism of Egypt by Iran and its supporters.

Following are excerpts from the interview:[1]

Iran Uses the Palestinians for Its Own Purposes

Q: "Some claim that Palestinian reconciliation remains the most significant concern facing Egyptian diplomacy. Hamas stipulated that it would sign the reconciliation agreement with Fatah provided that amendments be made to the Egyptian [reconciliation] document. What is the nature of these amendments? Are there elements in Hamas hinting that it is Cairo that is holding up the agreement?"

A: "Palestinian reconciliation is not the only issue preoccupying the Egyptians. Reconciliation is one of the basic [conditions for promoting] the Palestinian cause. The other basic [condition] is launching talks between Israel and the Palestinians on the basis on which we, as Arab states, insist, and that will enable these talks to progress.

"But as for reconciliation, it is too early to discuss this issue. Egypt conferred with both sides, Fatah and Hamas. In September 2009 [Hamas political bureau head] Khaled Mash'al came to Cairo and consulted with the Egyptian side, which is [responsible for] overseeing this matter, and spoke about reconciliation as if it were a done deal. [However,] when Egypt passed the [reconciliation] document on to the Hamas representatives, they claimed it was different from the one the PLO had signed. The Egyptian document is not different, and if Hamas did not agree to sign it, then we will look over their comments and the conditions they have set.

"Egypt is working to promote the Palestinian cause. From prior to the 1947 resolution for partitioning Palestine until the present day, tens of thousands of Egyptian soldiers and thousands of Egyptian diplomats have served the Palestinian cause. Sadly, today we are witnessing elements that place ideology and narrowminded [self-]interest above the future of the cause and of the [Palestinian] people. So they will continue on their path, and we will continue with our determination in the efforts we are making. And I hope that one day all will act wisely."

Q: "Are the amendments Hamas demands clear?"

A: "...They have yet to submit anything official... I believe that numerous external [pressures] are hindering Hamas from making a decision, in addition to Hamas' own interests which influence the situation on the ground, [as well as ideological considerations]. Some say that Hamas-Gaza wants to sign, while Hamas-Damascus does not. I hope that both sides in Hamas will agree that [signing the document] is in the interest of the Palestinian people. The document will not be changed, and with regard to Palestinian reconciliation, nothing will be offered except the Egyptian document."

Q: "These external [pressures] that are hindering Hamas from deciding – are they coming from Syria or from Iran?"

A: "In my opinion, [they come from] Iran, since Syria is an Arab state which throughout history has aspired to make efforts for the [Palestinian] cause from its own perspective. Syria accommodates Hamas within its borders – that is [Syria's] own business, and we have no quarrel with Damascus over that. But as for Iran, we say that many of its moves are aimed at grabbing as many Arab cards as possible, in order to use them for its own purposes.

Q: "In other words, [they mean] to hold the region hostage until Iran's nuclear dossier [problem] is resolved?"

A: "Absolutely. That is the best way of putting it I've heard in months, if not years."

Q: "[Hamas official] Mahmoud Al-Zahhar has attributed the continued Palestinian division to a lack of Arab will to see an end to this schism, saying that several Arab states are using the Palestinians [as an pawn in] their own disputes [with other Arab states]."

A: "I do not know what he is referring to. I believe that all the Arabs are making efforts to serve the goals of the Palestinian people, and that it is the Palestinians who must now take action in the direction of reconciliation and solidarity...

"In the past few weeks we have met with numerous senior [diplomats], and they have all asked: 'How can the internal Palestinian dispute, which is killing the Palestinian cause, be ended? And why are you giving Israel the opportunity to claim it has no partner [for peace]? By doing so you are handing them the Palestinian cause on a silver platter.'

"I trust the Arabs and the purity of their intentions. The courses of action may be different, but there is one [common] Arab goal, which is to realize a fair settlement for the Palestinian people that will lead to the establishment of a state, with East Jerusalem as its capital."

Q: "Do you mean to say that it is Iran who is handing the Palestinian cause to Israel on a silver platter?"

A: "I mean to say that the Palestinian schism, and the positions and situation [that emerge] from that schism, are leading to this. If a non-Arab regional element tries to serve its own ends by utilizing this issue... it is, in fact, doing harm to the [Palestinian] cause... How many have been martyred [for the Palestinian cause] over the last 60 years in the region stretching from [the lands] west of Pakistan to the Egypt-Libya border? Check and you will find that it was Arab blood and Arab martyrs [as opposed to non-Arabs]..."

Q: "When Khaled Mash'al visited Riyadh, he made it clear to Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal that Hamas' interests were Arab, since the issue of Palestine is an Arab one before anything else. [If that is the case, then why] several days ago [did] the Palestinian factions agree, in meetings with Iranian President Ahmadinejad in Damascus and afterwards in Tehran, to place themselves in the same camp as Tehran?"

A: "There are those who have lost the ability to define political priorities [properly]. The issue at hand is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and if Iran is cooperating with the Palestinians, it is doing so in order to serve its own interests. Those who agree to be used must understand that the situation in the Iranian [arena] or the Iranian-American [arena] is going to persist for a long time, and that it is inappropriate to [tie the fate of] Palestinian interests to [the fate of] the confrontation between Iran and the West... Let us reiterate that thousands of Arab martyrs lost their lives for the Palestinian cause, and this cannot be said of others."

Iran's Influence on Syria Is Preventing Palestinian Reconciliation

Q: "Syria has repeatedly said that it supports Palestinian reconciliation and solidarity. Can't it influence Hamas in order to enable some solution, and thus to support the Egyptian efforts?"

A: "Concerning [this matter], I am still waiting. We hope they will speak with their guests, the Hamas leaders, and convince them that this would benefit the Palestinian cause."

Q: "Why hasn't this happened until now?"

A: "[You] should ask our brothers in Syria. We are striving for good relations, mutual respect, and cooperation with Syria. But this question is wrapped up in the dispute over [which] courses of action [should be taken – a dispute] that must not have a negative effect on our ability to work together..."

Q: "Some analysts see this matter as proof that Iran has control over Syria's influence on Hamas."

A: "...I am unable to verify that. Some think there are disagreements [between Syria and Iran] regarding control over decision-making [in Hamas]. I believe that Syria is acting on behalf of a common Palestinian-Arab interest, while Iran is acting solely in its own interest.

"There is a difference between the Arabs' interests and Iran's. We can cooperate and maintain contact. We can trade. We can derive benefit from Iran's support of the Palestinians, as long as this support is meant to bring about a resolution. But if it is geared toward armed confrontations, perpetuating war, and resolving the Palestinian issue by means of a final Palestinian victory over the State of Israel through [Israel's] destruction, then we must say to our Palestinian brothers who believe such talk and to our brothers in Iran: The world will not allow this situation [to come about]. Do not deceive the Palestinians into taking this route."

Q: "But Iran claims it is working for the Palestinian cause because it is an Islamic state."

A: "That is its right as an Islamic state. But Turkey is also an Islamic state, and we do not see a similar attitude there. Indonesia and Malaysia are influential Islamic powers, but they do not act in a way that prevents the Palestinians from dealing with the Israeli adversary.

"Today, we are in dire need of a unified position, in order to realize the objective for which [the Arabs] are striving. These days, Hamas is not talking of Israel's destruction, but rather saying: We are ready to establish a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. If this is the way things are, then they do in fact accept [the existence of] the State of Israel."

Q: "Don't you think that breaking the ice between Cairo and Damascus will create an opportunity to expedite Palestinian reconciliation?"

A: "Certainly. That is a correct analysis, so long as the Iranian influence [on Syria] is neutralized."

Q: "In other words, we must understand that what is necessary, first and foremost, is for Damascus to neutralize the Iranian influence [on Syria]?"

A: "[This] will be effected by a clear Arab position that charges [Iran] to act alongside us for the good of the Palestinian cause, and to refrain from causing further confrontations between Israel and the Palestinians that will lead to more Palestinian losses. We want to achieve a quick breakthrough towards Palestinian reconciliation. Whoever complicates [achieving] this breakthrough is not helping the Palestinian cause."

Q: "...What is preventing Cairo and Damascus from breaking the ice between them?"

A: "There is no ice, but [we are] some distance from joint coordination. I believe that in the future, a closer relationship and joint coordination will be achieved. There is a disagreement over the paths that can lead us to realizing the Arab objectives in this region. We will not allow a regional power to impose its will in the Arab lands. The Arab causes and lands are the property of [the Arabs alone], and they are the only ones who have the right to determine what their interests are, in order to carry them out."

Q: "Following the Kuwait summit and King 'Abdallah's initiatives for intra-Arab reconciliation, a positive Syrian position was solidified, which is likely to be compatible with the Saudi-Egyptian position on this issue."

A: "There was a period when matters progressed, and then they came to a halt for unknown reasons. My hope is that in the future the [Syrian] attitude will change."

Q: "In what sense did things come to a halt?"

A: "This is what happened, but I hope things will once again move forward. Egypt and Syria are in agreement regarding their trade relations, investment relations, and strengthening this economic cooperation. Let us not forget that the Egyptian and Syrian armies fought side by side and aided one another. Let us not forget that Syria is one of [the pillars] of the East. We are endeavoring to protect Syria's national security."

Q: "There are those who wonder why Qatar succeeded in sponsoring a framework agreement for ending the long war in Darfur... while Egyptian efforts among the Palestinians are met with difficulties, despite geographical proximity and mutual defense interests."

A: "Every issue [has] its unique circumstances. The Palestinian issue is exposed to blunt external intervention and to the influence of weighty regional powers. The issue of Sudan and Darfur is not subject to these influences. On the contrary, everyone is trying to solve this problem..."

Q: "Have Egypt-Qatar relations gotten past the stage of 'negative silence'?"

A: "I do not know what the expression 'negative silence' means. Relations are silent in that the [Qataris] are investing efforts and working to confront many problems facing the region... but there have been no high-ranking visits for a year and a half now. I hope that matters will progress toward tightening relations.

"We have no problem with Qatar. The problem is with the [television] network funded by Qatar, Al-Jazeera, which covers every Egyptian issue in a negative way. If those responsible for this station take a look at themselves and examine their attitude toward Egypt, they will see that they have not said a good word about it for years. Egypt can't be all bad and negative. It is the strongest Arab state and has the largest Arab military force. It has the most embassies and representations in other countries. Egypt has suffered greatly for the sake of repairing the Arab schism, even on an international level at the U.N.... Egypt is [always there] to protect the Arabs' interests, according to its abilities and according to the level of support it receives [from other Arab states]. It is ever the spearhead, always [fighting] for the good of Arabs..."

Q: "Who benefits from disrupting the Egyptian role in the region?"

A: "There is no disruption to the Egyptian role in the region; [Egypt] is involved in all its issues. It is involved in the Sudanese issue, and nobody is disputing that. It is involved in the Palestinian issue, and strongly so, as well as in the Yemeni issue... Egypt [currently] heads the Non-Aligned Movement and is among the leaders of the Union for the Mediterranean... Egypt has a strong presence in Africa, where it has 50 embassies.

"There is no place for talking about a disruption to [Egypt's] regional role. We are implementing our policies and fear no element whatsoever. We have excellent relations with most of the Arab states, especially with Saudi Arabia..."

Q: "Over a year after his arrival to the White House, and months after his speech at Cairo University, [U.S. President Barack] Obama still has not revealed details of his initiative to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict..."

A: "The American president is tied up with many problems that he inherited from the previous administration. The U.S. faces a difficult challenge in Afghanistan, [and] there is the situation in Iraq... There is also the American economic and financial imbroglio, and the domestic dispute over health insurance. [There are] many problems burdening decision[-makers] in the U.S. That being said, we welcomed [the President's] speech in Cairo, and we welcomed Obama's speech before the U.N. General Assembly in which he spoke about [the establishment of] a Palestinian state and an end to the occupation. It remains for the American government to translate its stance into action, which will materialize the objective it spoke of. Until now there has been a serious delay in the application of these proposals. We hope that in the near future [the U.S. government] will reveal more policies to this effect..."

Q: "What is your opinion on the Iranian president's call to work towards the destruction of Israel, defining it as a 'germ of corruption?'"

A: "I don't know that the Arabs [devote] any though to this issue."

Q: "But the Iranian president is promising victory in the case of an all-out confrontation..."

A: "I hope that such an all-out confrontation will not come to pass, as it would carry dire consequences for this region, which has [already] suffered greatly. Let us make progress towards peace. Let us strive for a solution to the Palestinian issue. Let us compel the American forces out of Iraq and the West out of this region. Let us hold a productive dialogue between the Islamic-Arab world on one side and the Western world on the other, with the settling of the Palestinian [issue] as a central element to this dialogue..."