Egypt says Arafat removal would be "terrorist
act"
CAIRO, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Monday if Israel expelled Palestinian President Yasser Arafat it would be a "terrorist act" condemned by the international community. Israeli calls to expel Arafat intensified after a Palestinian suicide bomb killed 19 people in Haifa two days ago, but Mubarak warned Israel of "grave consequences" if they went ahead and removed the Palestinian leader. "If Israel carries out its threat (to expel Arafat), it will not achieve its goal...this illegal act considered to be terrorist and condemned by the entire international community will not lead to anything but the promotion of a climate of violence and despair", Mubarak said. Mubarak's comments came in the text of an interview published by the official Middle East News Agency (MENA) to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1973 October War, when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise assault to regain territories lost to Israel in the 1967 Middle East War. Israel's security cabinet decided in principle last month to "remove" Arafat after declaring him responsible for Islamic militant attacks on Israelis. Mubarak has previously criticised Israeli calls to exile Arafat many times, saying it would not serve the cause of peace.
CAIRO, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Monday if Israel expelled Palestinian President Yasser Arafat it would be a "terrorist act" condemned by the international community. Israeli calls to expel Arafat intensified after a Palestinian suicide bomb killed 19 people in Haifa two days ago, but Mubarak warned Israel of "grave consequences" if they went ahead and removed the Palestinian leader. "If Israel carries out its threat (to expel Arafat), it will not achieve its goal...this illegal act considered to be terrorist and condemned by the entire international community will not lead to anything but the promotion of a climate of violence and despair", Mubarak said. Mubarak's comments came in the text of an interview published by the official Middle East News Agency (MENA) to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1973 October War, when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise assault to regain territories lost to Israel in the 1967 Middle East War. Israel's security cabinet decided in principle last month to "remove" Arafat after declaring him responsible for Islamic militant attacks on Israelis. Mubarak has previously criticised Israeli calls to exile Arafat many times, saying it would not serve the cause of peace.
Charles Mims
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