Jordanian DPM: No Jordan-PA-Israel Meeting During Visit, Jordan Won't Annex West Bank

2005-09-26

Muasher: Weekly Press Briefing

www.petra.gov.jo/ nepras/2005/ Sep/26/27844400.htm

Amman/Sep. 26 (Petra- Jordan News Agency)-- Deputy Prime Minister/ Government Spokesman Marwan Muasher on Monday brushed aside any arrangements for a trio meeting grouped His Majesty King Abdullah II, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during his proposal visit to the Palestinian territories and Israel. During his weekly press briefing at Royal Cultural Center Muasher said the latest incidents in Gaza deteriorated the peace process, indicating to the Israeli military operations in Gaza, but he pointed to His Majesty's visit to Palestinian territories and Israel that would help bridge and narrow the gap between the Israelis and Palestinians. Moreover the visit will cast out the suspicious case that born between the two parties following the Gaza incidents.

Asked about when the Jordanian ambassador take up his post in Baghdad, Muasher said this depends on the security situation. "A royal decree has been issued appointing our ambassador and he will leave for Baghdad when security requirements are there," he said describing security situation between Jordan and Iraq as "extremely good". On Iran's interference in Iraqi affair, Muasher reiterated Jordan's rejection of any attempt to interfere in Iraq's internal affairs either from a neighboring country or from any other party. " We are still warning against any interference of this kind," he said.

Muasher dismissed as groundless a reported plan put forward by Jordan to the U.S. administration to annex the West Bank as a fourth region to Jordan. " There was no such a Jordanian proposal in the past and will never be in the future," he told reporters. It is in Jordan's interest to see a Palestinian state established on the West Bank areas, he added. Any other solution will contravene with the Jordanian interest said Muasher, who condemned Israeli military operations against the Palestinians.

Muasher described His Majesty King Abdullah's recent visit the U.S. successful noting the King's positive response to President Bush's request to play a mediation role between the Palestinians and Israelis. King Abdullah will be the first Arab leader to visit the Palestinian areas after Israel's pullout from the west bank. Asked about the 800,000 Iraqis who have come to Jordan, Muasher said the government has no specific number about the Iraqis in Jordan. The Iraqis living in Jordan are our guests because of their emergency situation. Jordan has always been open to Arab nationals living in upnormal situations. The government will not grant the nationality to the Iraqis under any circumstances, he said in reply to a question.

Injadat/ Petra 262155 Local SEP 2005

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis