Egypt tries to thwart Israel's plans in Europe

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

disclaimer: not your typical news source.

Egypt tries to thwart Israel's plans in Europe

By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent

Egypt has recently been attempting to thwart a proposed agreement to upgrade Israel's relationship with the European Union.

The proposed deal would significantly improve Israeli access to European markets, and could thus add billions of dollars to Israel's economy.

Israel first learned of the Egyptian efforts about two months ago, thanks to a tip received via diplomatic channels. The Foreign Ministry began investigating, and discovered that Cairo had instructed its ambassadors in Europe to wage a diplomatic campaign against the agreement.

As part of this campaign, Egyptian ambassadors in London, Paris, Brussels, Spain, Rome and other European capitals have met with high-level Foreign Ministry officials in their respective countries to ask them to reconsider the agreement. The Egyptian argument is that in light of Israel's ongoing construction in West Bank settlements and its blockade of Gaza, the EU must not reward Jerusalem in any way.

After confirming this Egyptian effort, Israel decided to confront Cairo. Senior Foreign Ministry officials warned their Egyptian counterparts that Israel views this effort very gravely and wants it stopped. However, the Egyptians denied any wrongdoing.

Israel's assessment, a senior government official said, is that the Egyptian campaign constitutes retaliation for a United States Congress decision to freeze up to $200 million in American military aid to Egypt. Cairo blames Israel for this freeze, because Israel has frequently complained to Washington about Egypt's failure to combat arms smuggling into Gaza. One of the conditions Congress set for unfreezing the aid was an improvement in Egypt's performance in this sphere.

In addition, Israeli officials said, Cairo is upset because the EU has refused to grant Egypt a similarly favorable agreement.

So far, the officials said, Egypt's efforts have not succeeded, and there has been no change in the EU's stance on the agreement. Nevertheless, Israel is furious over what the officials termed Egypt's "double game": even as it claims to be trying to help Israel negotiate a cease-fire in Gaza, it is working against Israel on other fronts.

Israel expects the upgrade agreement with the EU to be signed by the end of the year. The deal governs cooperation in a wide range of fields, from trade to science to diplomacy, and defines Israel as a senior European partner - the highest level of association possible short of full EU membership.

Meanwhile, Israel also sent a formal protest to the Palestinian Authority yesterday over a letter sent by PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to the OECD, in which he asked the organization to reconsider its invitation to Israel to join. Fayyad based this request on Israel's military operations in the territories, and construction in the settlements.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who met Monday with PA President Mahmoud Abbas, told Abbas that Israel deems the letter completely unacceptable.

Source

Edited June 3, 2008 by Olivia*

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Not a shock.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Prophesy will be fulfilled .

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Prophesy will be fulfilled .

pls explain what prophesy?

[Nagishkaw 510]

On VJ ????? Riiiiiiiiiiiight.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

On VJ ????? Riiiiiiiiiiiight.

Then send me a pm cuz I don't get it.

[polarbear 0]

On VJ ????? Riiiiiiiiiiiight.

Then send me a pm cuz I don't get it.

Me too please?

[Nagishkaw 510]

0k, I PMed 0, so maybe she can pass it on to you, PB.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

0k, I PMed 0, so maybe she can pass it on to you, PB.

alright will do. very fascinating. would love to hear more. I don't think it's a problem to share it on vj. it makes for fascinating conversation.

[doodlebugg 10]

That's pretty balsy of Egypt but unfortunately it probably won't do a thing since no one else will back them up.

[Nagishkaw 510]

0k, I PMed 0, so maybe she can pass it on to you, PB.

alright will do. very fascinating. would love to hear more. I don't think it's a problem to share it on vj. it makes for fascinating conversation. God bashing.

[S and S 12]

I have a lot of things I would love to say about why I don't blame Egypt for being upset and for doing what it did, but I will keep them to myself. The EU will learn its mistake if it goes forward with this, but it will probably be too late.

I'm not saying who, but one of the countries involved will take the technology secrets they learn, modify them, then undercut the other country on prices so they can make all the money from the product. Not saying who might do that, but someone might. God knows it happened to the United States though few have noticed the ramifications.

I will add this is just good business for the country that profits. Yet it is bad news for any country dumb enough to fall into the trap.

Edited June 4, 2008 by S and S

[Nagishkaw 510]

I have a lot of things I would love to say about why I don't blame Egypt for being upset and for doing what it did, but I will keep them to myself. The EU will learn its mistake if it goes forward with this, but it will probably be too late.

I'm not saying who, but one of the countries involved will take the technology secrets they learn, modify them, then undercut the other country on prices so they can make all the money from the product. Not saying who might do that, but someone might. God knows it happened to the United States though few have noticed the ramifications.

I will add this is just good business for the country that profits. Yet it is bad news for any country dumb enough to fall into the trap.

Im placing my bet on Syria.

[S and S 12]

I have a lot of things I would love to say about why I don't blame Egypt for being upset and for doing what it did, but I will keep them to myself. The EU will learn its mistake if it goes forward with this, but it will probably be too late.

I'm not saying who, but one of the countries involved will take the technology secrets they learn, modify them, then undercut the other country on prices so they can make all the money from the product. Not saying who might do that, but someone might. God knows it happened to the United States though few have noticed the ramifications.

I will add this is just good business for the country that profits. Yet it is bad news for any country dumb enough to fall into the trap.

Im placing my bet on Syria.

lol

[Nagishkaw 510]

Yeah, I laughed at your post, too.