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June 4, 2004/Sivan 15 5764, Vol. 56, No. 37
Egypt to the rescue in Gaza?
GIL SEDAN
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
JERUSALEM - The latest coalition crisis hasn't been all bad for Ariel Sharon: For one thing, it has helped kindle a friendship with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Over the last few days, Mubarak and the Israeli prime minister have held several telephone conversations on how to push forward Sharon's disengagement plan from the Palestinians, despite the political obstacles Sharon faces at home.
In a conversation May 31, Mubarak reiterated his support for Sharon's plan and promised to promote it internationally.
News of Egypt's expanding role came as Sharon battled opposition to his disengage-ment plan within his own Likud Party and Cabinet, and amid growing pressure from Washington for progress toward an Israel pullout from the Gaza Strip.
Washington is urging Israel to lay the groundwork for the withdrawal in cooperation with the Palestinians.
Sharon's chief of staff, Dov Weisglass, went to Washington this week to meet with President Bush's national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Shalom headed to Cairo. The official purpose was to set up a joint committee "to improve relations between the two countries."
But behind the scenes was an attempt to create a dramatic change: For the first time since 1967, Egypt might play a role in the Gaza Strip.
It would function not as a ruling authority, as it did from 1948 to 1967 but instead would, Israel hopes, serve as an honest broker helping the transition to Palestinian rule and preventing arms smuggling from Egypt into Gaza.
Once Israel begins with-drawing troops and settlers from Gaza, some 200 Egyptian military experts would help P.A. security services impose their rule over the crowded strip, halting terrorist attacks and setting the stage for an orderly and complete Israeli withdrawal.
In the meantime, Sharon is gaining politically from these new developments with Egypt: He has signaled to his rivals in the Likud that he means business and is laying the groundwork for a withdrawal.
Mubarak benefits by demonstrating that he is doing something on behalf of the Palestinians. At the same time, Egypt's involvement weakens Hamas, which stands to lose from an orderly transition to P.A. rule, and limits the radical Islamist group's power base in Gaza, on Egypt's doorstep.
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