IT'S A DENIM WORLD.

Elusive Peace

CHILDREN

from page 25

Diplomatic Pressure

Egypt recalling its ambassaador
shakes Israel's- international initiatives.

DAVID LANDAU
and NAOMI SEGAL

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Jerusalem
gypt has become the latest Arab
country to take diplomatic
action against Israel because of the
ongoing violence in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip.
In a sudden turn from its role of
mediator in the regional conflict,
Egypt recalled its ambassador to
Israel on Tuesday.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amre
Moussa cited "Israeli aggression" for
the decision, adding that it reflected
Cairo's "extreme displeasure" with the
way Israel was treating the Palestinians.
Egypt's announcement came one
day after Israel launched missile strikes
on Gaza City to retaliate for a deadly
terror attack hours before on an Israeli
school bus in the Gaza Strip.
The planned departure of Egy, pes
longtime envoy in Israel, Mohammed
liasiouny, leaves no Arab representa-
tives remaining in the Jewish state.
Jordan, the only Arab country
besides Egypt to have signed a peace
treaty with Israel, has delayed sending

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Surprise Move

Egypt's recall of Basiouny — which
could lead to an eventual downgrad-
ing of relations between the two
countries — caught the Israeli
Foreign Ministry by surprise and
prompted diplomatic scrambling to
understand its implications.
Israelis officials expressed' disappoint-
ment with Cairo's decision, but said
they do not believe the development
indicates the Israeli-Palestinian violence
was heading toward a wider conflict.
Israeli President Moshe Katsav said
it was reasonable for Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak to want to
consult with Basiouny.
But Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-
Ami called the move "very grave"
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its newly appointed ambassador to Tel
Aviv to protest what it also sees as Israeli
aggression against the Palestinians.
The ongoing violence has also
prompted Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia
and Oman to sever the low-level eco-
nomic links that each established with
Israel during more promising times in
the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

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aged by the explosion of a heavy mor-
tar shell that vas attached to a detona-
tor. The shell was surrounded with
pieces of metal "to inflict as many
injuries as possible," an army state-
ment said.
The attack occurred on a road con-
trolled by Israel. The surrounding
area, indeed most of the Gaza Strip, is
under Palestinian control.
The attackers fled into the self-rule
area after detonating the explosion,
according to Israeli authorities.
Witnesses said several pieces of
shrapnel went clean through the bus,
which held about 30 passengers.
Israeli military officials said the pro-
tective covering of the vehicle prevent-
ed additional casualties.
The two victims were teachers at the
school: Miriam Amitai, 35, a mother
of four; and Gavriel Biton, 34, a father
of six. Both were residents of Kfar
Darom.
Among the injured were three
young siblings who had to have their

arms or legs partially amputated,
accordinc, to medical workers.
The attack on a school bus filled
with children has prompted some
observers to suggest that the attackers
were trying to kill any chance for
negotiations to resume.
In a possible sign of the premier's
own emercrinc, conclusion that there
really is no Palestinian partner in the
diplomatic process, Barak reportedly
has renewed contacts with the nation's
opposition parties to consider forming
a unity government.
For the time-being, though, he has
no takers. Likud opposition leader
Ariel Sharon said he would not enter
into a government with someone
whom he claimed would divide
Jerusalem and give back the Jordan
Valley.
Sharon also accused Barak of hold-
ing secret negotiations with the
Palestinians despite the violence —
charge Barak denied.

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