Chirac rejects outside interference in Arab world

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 06, 2004

Chirac rejects outside interference in Arab world

French President Jacques Chirac confirmed on March 5 in meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak that he supports Arab countries' modernization and rejectsinterference from outside.

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French President Jacques Chirac confirmed Friday in meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak that he supports Arab countries' modernization and rejectsinterference from outside.

The two leaders, calling themselves "old friends" many times, showed their unanimous stands on the US "Greater Middle East Initiative," at a joint news conference following their one-hour talks at the Palace of Elysee.

The United States wants to launch its "Greater Middle East" initiative in June, aiming at encouraging democratic reform and economic opening in the Arab world and other Muslim countries in the region extending from Morocco to Afghanistan.

For the two leaders, restarting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and restoring security in Iraq are preconditions to Mideast modernization.

"Any evolution or modernization in this region would imply first the settlement of peace between Palestinian and Israeli peoples, it is the core of the difficulties," said Chirac.

It is imperative to find a solution to Iraqi problems which allows peace and security and maintains union in Iraq, he said, adding "these are preconditions too."

"We support modernization which comes as a result of consultations, cooperation between states," Chirac told the news conference. "On the other hand, we think that nothing can be imposed. In other words, modernization yes, interference no," Chirac said.

Mubarak rejected firmly the US reform plan, saying that "Any (reform) efforts have to come from Arab countries" and "should takeinto account every country's characteristics and meet the needs ofevery country in the region."

The Egyptian President agreed that sound solutions to Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to Iraqi crisis "help reinforce mass favor to the reforms and avoid depression which leads to terrorism."

Mubarak arrived here from Italy, where he met late Thursday with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi who also agreed no solution could be imposed on the region from outside.

The Egyptian president is in his European tour seeking support against the US plan. He is expected to continue his campaign trip in Britain to meet with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London on Saturday.

Source: Xinhua

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