Egyptian FM, Ahmed Aboul Gheit : We await Israeli response

     Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Saturday that the Arab side is waiting for a practical answer from Israel regarding the renewal of negotiations that would lead to a final status agreement to create a Palestinian State, Israel Radio reported. Aboul Gheit spoke to an Egyptian paper following his return from Israel, where he visited along with Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah al-Khatib last week. According to the Egyptian foreign minister, he and al-Khatib focused on the Israeli need to take measures to free additional prisoners, remove road blocks in the West Bank and to give hope to the Palestinians. "There is a feeling in Israel for the need to push the peace process forward," said Aboul Gheit. "There exists an opportunity that must be utilized." (20,34)