U.S. Urges Egypt, Israel to Maintain Closest Possible Ties

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, April 04, 2002

U.S. Urges Egypt, Israel to Maintain Closest Possible Ties

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The United States on Wednesday called on Egypt to maintain the "closest possible contacts" with Israel after Cairo scaled down relations with the Jewish state in response to its attacks on Palestinians.

"As a general principle, and at this sensitive time, we believe that dialogue is important and we encourage Egypt and Israel to maintain the closest possible contacts," State Department spokeswoman Susan Pittman said.

And White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the United States "anticipates that Egypt will maintain its commitment to the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, which remains a foundation for regional stability."

However, the spokesman said the move that Egypt took earlier in the day would have little impact on the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty signed in 1979.

The Egyptian cabinet decided Wednesday to sever all relations with the Israeli government, expect those at diplomatic level, in support of the Palestine cause.

The decision was announced by Egyptian Information Minister Safwat El-Sharif after a cabinet meeting chaired by President Hosni Mubarak.

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