Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., January 09, 2008 Shvat 2, 5768 | | Israel Time: 10:09 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 22:59 08/01/2008 Rice: U.S ready to help Egypt combat Gaza arms smuggling By Reuters Tags: Egypt, Condoleezza Rice  The United States is ready to give technical aid to help Egypt stop arms smuggling into Hamas-run Gaza, but Cairo must improve border patrol efforts, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Tuesday. Israeli officials have complained that Egypt is doing a "terrible" job on the Gaza border, failing to stop smuggling of weapons and ammunition into Gaza through tunnels under the border that separates Egypt and Gaza. "We think that Egypt has to do more. Those tunnels need to be dealt with," Rice said in an interview with Middle East journalists in Washington before traveling to the region with President George W. Bush. Advertisement A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers team had studied the problem and talked to Egyptian security personnel about it, Rice said. "The Egyptians have said that they want some, perhaps, technical help. We're prepared obviously, to give that, but it's also - you know, the will to do it is very important here," Rice said. Hamas took control of Gaza in June, prompting Israel to tighten its military and economic cordon around the coastal territory. But last month, Israeli officials said they had sent a videotape to Washington showing Egyptian security forces helping Hamas militants smuggle arms across the border into Gaza. The Egyptian government says it is doing its best with the personnel it is allowed to deploy at the border under the 1979 peace treaty and a subsequent agreement with Israel. "The Egyptians need to deal with it. We're going to try to help them deal with it," Rice said in a transcript of the interview released by the State Department. Sen. George Voinovich, an Ohio Republican who just returned from a Middle East trip, told U.S. reporters "one of the reasons the Egyptians have a problem with the border is, they want to make sure that humanitarian aid gets into Gaza." Bush and Rice were leaving later on Tuesday for a weeklong tour of Israel and Arab countries, including Egypt, aiming to nurture fragile Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. Related articles: U.S. weighs plan to help Egypt block arms smuggling to Gaza Egypt: Livni should keep quiet on arms smuggling into Gaza Strip U.S. Congressman: Egypt boosts effort to thwart Gaza smuggling Bookmark to del.icio.us   Oh Hillary Clinton throws everything but the kitchen sink at New Hampshire. Jewel of the Crown Diamond billionaire Lev Leviev buys most expensive property ever sold in Britain.   1.   Yes, we will secure it like we secure our national border! :) 23:22  |  Illegal Amigo 08/01/08   2.   The Talkative Senator visiting Giza/Nile 23:50  |  Stephen. 08/01/08   3.   So you want the Arabs to strangle Gazans, too 23:53  |  Egyptian 08/01/08   4.   US TO KILL PALESTINIANS DIRECTLY! DAMN! 00:02  |  Jeur 09/01/08   5.   well lets see does egypt want to stop the smuggling? 00:02  |  hmm? 09/01/08   6.   Right discription, wrong country 00:10  |  Natallie Durson 09/01/08   7.   U.S. ready? 00:29  |  Dudka 09/01/08   8.   Say what? 02:41  |  MaryRose 09/01/08   9.   Naive US politician. Egypt could do it if it wanted. 03:42  |  Fortuna Benmayor 09/01/08   10.   If they don`t want to, help is worthless 04:38  |  Straight Talk 09/01/08   11.   US MUST LEAD & COOPERATE, NOT CRACK THE WHIP 05:37  |  Arik Silverman 09/01/08   12.   US MUST LEAD & COOPERATE, NOT CRACK THE WHIP 05:38  |  Arik Silverman 09/01/08   13.   US MUST LEAD & COOPERATE, NOT CRACK THE WHIP 06:46  |  Arik Silverman 09/01/08   14.   First, Egypt has to want to stop the smuggling but the corrupt 07:08  |  Marwan مروان خوري 09/01/08   15.   Hamas is not alone, Israel is 07:47  |  6 million 09/01/08   16.   Rice Egypt 07:55  |  Babs 09/01/08   17.   Videotape, Lies & Hez 08:05  |  6 million 09/01/08

Today Online U.S. Prof. Finkelstein meets top Hezbollah official in Lebanon Responses: 436 Lebanese PM vows probe into Katyusha fire at Israel Responses: 146 Israel botched chance to free abducted soldiers at start of war Responses: 74 High security for Bush visit will cost Israel $25,000 an hour Responses: 80 Israeli Arab leaders slam boycott of visiting Jewish donors Responses: 106 Rosner's Domain What does "change" mean for Israel? 2008 race: The marathon is far from over Rosner's Guest: Israel at present is not a light unto the nations Rosner's Mailbox: Anti-Semites within Ron Paul's camp "It is not enough to launch a peace process" (WTR) More Headlines 08:44 Clinton narrowly beats Obama in N.H., resurrects White House bid 10:07 Bush to arrive in Israel for visit aimed at boosting peace talks 05:58 ANALYSIS: Bush can spur peace talks, but can't solve Gaza issue 09:56 Medics: One dead, six wounded in IAF strike on militants in Gaza 08:47 Group asks AG Mazuz to halt J'lem Muslim Quarter excavation 02:26 PA security official: Al Aqsa Brigade has dismantled 02:54 Early warning system fails to spot Katyusha strike in North 08:50 U.S. basketballer Bynum, freed from jail, rejoins Maccabi teammates 08:49 Polices' biggest concern for Bush visit: Disturbances by extremists Previous Editions Select Day 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec

Special Offers Advertisement FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! AMERICANS CHOOSE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE U.S. citizen in Israel vote in Democrats-Abroad official global primary.

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved