Hussein tells unions: Shbeilat will be free, stay out of politics
Jordan, Politics, 5/19/1998

Jordan's King Hussein made a surprise visit to the representatives of Jordanian professional associations where he met with heads and members of 13 Jordanian associations who are strongly against normalization with Israel.

King Hussein has long called for depoliticizing of unions. He said, "Associations should concentrate on the professional issues concerning their members." The associations' members were preparing demands to submit to the king when he visited them.

The king, along with the members of the 13 associations, hammered out differences and tackled many issues ranging from politics to the role of unions.

Addressing the professional associations that strongly oppose normalization with Israel the king said, "Peace is the strategic goal for Jordan. We should learn from wars and sufferings it had endured in last 50 years" when Israel was established. Hussein advised that decisions should be based upon accurate analysis of the situation and should not be emotional.

"Jordan took part in 1967 and 1973 Arab-Israeli wars fulfilling its duty towards its nation," he stated, adding that Jordan entered peace talks with Israel only after the Palestinians themselves decided to do so. "Jordan remains steadfast in its support for the Palestinians in their negotiations with Israel until they regain their rights on their national soil" he said.

Addressing the associations' members who asked for stronger support for Iraq, the king said, "Jordan is doing whatever possible to lift crippling UN sanctions and ease the suffering of the Iraqi people." The king told the attendants that the associations should focus their efforts on the professional issues concerning their members.

While he was preparing to leave the king made a surprising statement and told the reporters that former president of the engineers' association, Leith Shbeilat, would be freed from prison.

This is the third time Shbeilat, who is currently serving time for instigating riots in the southern city of Maan in support of Iraq, has been pardoned by the King.

Jordanian newspapers today wrote that the meeting seemed to have eased the current tension in relations between Jordan's authorities and professional associations.

Previous Stories:
  Two international organizations criticize the prevention of Jordan to the peaceful negotiations   (4/13/1998)
  Jordan releases 29 detainees from Maan   (3/11/1998)
  Jordan's Prime Minister : The government cooperates with unions   (3/3/1998)

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