Jordanian deputies protest speaker's visit to Israel, Maan protesters freed
Jordan-Israel, Politics, 3/16/1998

Jordan's Lower House discussed a number of issues yesterday in a session headed by Speaker Saad Hayil Surour.

Sixteen legislators walked out at the beginning of the session to protest a visit to Israel by the speaker and other deputies who accompanied Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan on his official visit to Tel Aviv last week.

"The visit was in compliance with national interests and was made to Israel, with which Jordan had signed a peace treaty," the speaker said.

"I can understand the point of view of the opponents to the visit," he added, but, "I, being the speaker, do not solely represent the point of view of the opposition; I represent the House of Representatives as whole."

Acting Prime Minister Dr. Abdullah al-Nusour, who attended the house session along with his Cabinet members, said, "The visit by the Regent to the Palestinian self rule areas and Israel came after Palestinian President Yasser Arafat asked Jordan twice to salvage the deadlocked peace process in the Middle East." Nusour condemned statements attributed to Israeli Infrastructure minister Ariel Sharon who said that Hamas leader Khalid Mishal was still a target to the Israeli Mossad.

Acting Prime Minister Nusour and Interior Minister Nathir Rashid denied a report published by Jordanian weekly, which included a statement by Rashid concerning deputies of Maan constituency.

"These claims are not true," Nusour and Rashid said, and added that Rashid had not made such a statement, referring to the report that stated that Rashid had accused Maan deputies of spreading lies about him.

Maan was the center of protests in support of Iraq in its confrontation with the UN regarding the recent inspection crisis.

Meanwhile, the Jordanian authorities released a number of detainees who were detained during last month's pro-Saddam riots in Maan.

The general prosecutor of the State Security Court ordered yesterday the release on bail of the 21 detainees who were held in a Jordanian custody near Amman. "The release was ordered by Crown Prince Hassan," Jordan TV said.

Authorities freed 29 detainees last week on bail in compliance with King's directive to the government.

50 prisoners have been released so far, and seven are still being held for questioning.

Previous Stories:
  King Hussein of Jordan heads for the US   (3/13/1998)
  Jordan's crown prince in Israel   (3/11/1998)
  Hassan and Arafat emphasize reviving peace negotiations   (3/10/1998)

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