Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=9/26/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=EGYPT / U-S (L-O)

NUMBER=2-307948

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher says his country will not send troops to Iraq to help U-S security operations. But he says Egypt is willing to help train the new Iraqi police force. Correspondent Laurie Kassman reports from Washington, the Egyptian official is also urging the Bush administration to take a tougher stand on Israel's settlement expansion.

TEXT: The Bush administration is trying to persuade its allies in Europe and elsewhere in the world to contribute troops to its security operations in Iraq. So far, the request has been met with a lukewarm response, especially in Islamic countries.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher says the idea of sending soldiers into Iraq is out of the question.

/// MAHER ACT ///

Under no circumstances are we going to send troops to Iraq. But we are willing to participate in training an Iraqi police force, and we have indicated as much to our American friends. But we will not send troops to Iraq. Neither do the Iraqis want troops from Arab countries, nor do we think it's appropriate for us, even if there is a resolution in the (United Nations) Security Council to send troops.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Maher says other nations are ready to send troops, but he says they should do so under the U-N umbrella.

Speaking at a small Washington gathering of reporters and analysts, the Egyptian diplomat also expressed hope for some bold move that could jump-start the stalled Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

Mr. Maher calls on the Bush administration to hold both sides to their obligations under the so-called road map for peace, and to be tough with both sides. He urges the U-S government to be as tough against Israel's policy of targeted killings as it is against Palestinian suicide bombings.

/// MAHER ACT ///

Parallelism is a very important and crucial element of the road map. And the road map has been endorsed by the United States, so we believe it is important for us, for them, for you to lean on both sides.

/// END ACT ///

While Mr. Maher was speaking in Washington, Secretary of State Colin Powell was meeting in New York with representatives of the three other co-sponsors of the Middle East road map -- Russia, the European Union and the United Nations.

A statement issued after the meeting calls on Palestinians to stop attacks against Israelis. It also calls on Israel to stop expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza.

Secretary Powell also responded to Arab complaints the Bush administration is not tough enough with Israel.

/// POWELL ACT ///

The United States is prepared to play a role of an open, honest broker, pressing both sides to meet the commitments and obligations they have made under the road map.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Powell told reporters the continuing cycle of violence has frustrated efforts to revive the stalled peace talks. (SIGNED)

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