Egypt lashes out at Iran for Gaza support

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Egypt lashes out at Iran for Gaza support

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:08:40 GMT

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has reportedly accused the Islamic Republic of trying to control Arab countries in the region.

Mubarak said Thursday that Iran's vocal criticism of Egyptian indifference to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip shows that Tehran intends to control its Arab neighbors.

"The Persians are trying to devour the Arab states," Kuwaiti daily al-Jarida quoted him as saying in a meeting with members of the Egyptian ruling party.

His criticism came in the wake of Monday demonstrations by Iranian students over Egypt's refusal to open the Rafah border crossing for humanitarian convoys to deliver food, medical equipment and other essential supplies to the strip.

Tel Aviv placed the Gaza Strip under a blockade after the democratically-elected Palestinian government of Hamas took control of the coastal area in mid-June 2007.

On Tuesday, the UN Human Rights Council declared Israeli policies against the Palestinians and the blockade of the Gaza Strip to be "crime(s) against humanity."

Egyptian officials nevertheless summoned Iran's diplomatic representative in protest against the demonstrations, warning that they would further delay Tehran-Cairo rapprochement.

Diplomatic ties between Iran and Egypt were severed in 1979 due to Cairo's recognition of Israel and its signing of a peace treaty with Tel Aviv.

Iran says the only solution for the Israeli crisis is for the Palestinian nation -- the indigenous population of the land -- to hold a national referendum to determine their own fate.

Egypt often has its ambassador to Tel Aviv withdrawn due to tensions between the Israelis and Palestinians but prefers the establishment of peace with Israel as its strategy.

Despite their contrasting views, Tehran and Cairo took steps in 2007 to normalize their diplomatic relations.

Source: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=78220...ionid=351020101

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

"The Persians are trying to devour the Arab states," Kuwaiti daily al-Jarida quoted him as saying in a meeting with members of the Egyptian ruling party.

The Persians can't even sort out their own sorry state...neither can the Arab states either, mind you. But that statement is just funny to me on so many levels. Especially when it's the Arab state I'm currently living in that's trying to lay claim to some Persian territory.

Also, I think it kind of says a lot that Muslims always want to bring up the Palestinian issue while completely swiping the Kurdish issue under the rug. Meanwhile, Turks and Arabs get away with oppressing Kurds, denying them their own state and all around doing to Kurds what they complain about when it's Jews doing no worse to the Palestinians.

My fiance says the Kurds in Iran are better treated but I'm not so sure. I'd rather hear it straight from the mouth of an Iranian Kurd before I'd believe as much.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

The Kurds are like the Basque to me. However, I do feel there should be a Kurdistan made up from Iran, Turkey, and Iraq. Just give it to them guys.

As far as Israel and Palestine goes what a mess. Both making claims to the same land, and the same holy cities.

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

I honestly don't think there will be an independent Kurdistan. There's not enough worldwide support for their plight. I met an Iraqi Kurd in Norway and the poor guy actually thought the US would really help their people to have their own independent state. I felt a little guilty telling him the US would probly cave to the demands of those in the region that don't want there to ever be a Kurdistan.

As for the Basques, they have a really crazy language. It's not like any other language in the region. I've been to Basque country (Donostia, on the northern coast of Spain). I don't really see the point in them or Catalan for that matter seceding from Spain. Why secede from Spain only to be a part of the EU. They're going to be united one way or the other. Either under the Spanish flag or the EU flag.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I agree. I am only made acutely aware of their plight because the second largest basque population in the world is located in Boise.

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

Boise!

Man they traded down.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Yeah Boise. I don't think they traded down coming to America. Idaho has a huge refugee population. I think we're number one or two for new refugees and immigrants in the world.

The Basques have their own district in our town. Check this new project out. http://www.uidaho.edu/features/research/th...queproject.aspx

[Ban Hammer 13,558]

Boise!

Man they traded down.