Background:
On November 17-19, 1997, Queens Beatrix of the Netherlands and her husband Prince Clause, paid a state visit to Egypt. She was accompanied by Hans van Mierlo, minister of Foreign Affairs. One hour before they arrived, around 60 people were killed in a terrorist attack in Luxor. Despite the tragedy, the schedule of the state visit did not change.
For more information, please refer to the succeeding tape: State visit by the Dutch Royal Family to Egypt tape II:
http://www.arabwestreport.info/en/state-visit-dutch-queen-beatrix-and-he...
Side A:
The Queen and Prince arrived in Egypt. Music is being played, including the anthems of both countries. Cornelis Hulsman reports what he sees during the welcome ceremony. Hans van Mierlo, the Dutch minister of Foreign Affairs, explains why the visit of the Queen and Prince is important because the relations between both countries are rather old, and Egypt is an important player in peace processes in the Middle East. Next, a tour guide tells about the palace they are visit.
Side B:
A terrorist attack has happened in Luxor. 60 people were killed. During the press conference, Conny Mus, Dutch correspondent in Israel, and others ask questions regarding what consequences this might have for the state visit, and if the travel advice of the Dutch department of Foreign Affairs will be changed. Hulsman asks a German tourist what he thinks of the attack. He says that he does not understand why one would attack innocent tourists. He says he met many friendly Egyptians in Cairo, and has been treated very well. He did not have any trouble while traveling around and was not worried about his safety at all. He thinks Cairo is just as safe as other tourist destinations like New York or los Angeles. He would still advice friends to come to Egypt as long as the situation does not escalate and he would advice them not to travel in large groups.
The Queen and Prince visit a museum in Cairo. When the record starts again, an expert from the University of Delft is being interviewed about water management in Egypt. He talks about several projects around the Nile river, and says that help from Dutch engineers is welcome. A press conference on the matter follows.
