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Good morning. I am pleased to have just had an excellent meeting with President Mubarak as part of our continuing effort to consult and to coordinate and to cooperate with Egypt, which plays such an important role in this region and is such an important partner of the United States.
I expressed the appreciation of President Bush and Secretary Powell in particular, for President Mubarak's critical leadership role in working for peace and stability in this region. I emphasized in our meeting the strong American commitment to full implementation of the Mitchell Report as a package in all its aspects.
I reviewed the progress that has been made in implementing the security work plan that CIA Director Tenet has put together, and stressed the urgent need to continue along that path, and to take more steps to stabilize the security situation, but to also restore a more normal life and create a sense of hope for Palestinians living under very difficult circumstances.
I also stressed our strong commitment to moving on, to helping the parties move on, as quickly as possible, to implementation of all of the Mitchell Report so that we can sustain a full cessation of violence, rebuild confidence, and resume negotiations and a real political process as quickly as possible. And I am certain that Secretary Powell, on his trip to the region next week, will be reinforcing those same messages. So again, I thank you for your time. I apologize that I have to go very quickly, but I would be glad to answer a question or two.
QUESTION: Despite all the effort of these last few days, the cease-fire is still weak, the settlements are still building, the Israelis are still building settlements. There is still some excessive use of force from Israelis... What is the next step after that? And why do you think the measures have not yet started.
A/S BURNS: Compared to the situation as it existed three or four weeks ago, I think the situation is better now than it was. We are working very hard with both of the parties to try and implement measures which are going to make it possible to see all of the Mitchell report made into a reality, in all of its aspects. The critical issues in the short term, as I said, are trying to stabilize the security situation and, at the same time, to ease the pressures that Palestinians are living under, right now, so that there is a sense of hope. Its not an easy task, but it is one that is very important for the parties themselves, as well as for the United States, for Egypt, and many other members of the international community. Thank you very much.
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