Prince Hassan criticizes press law, Palestine to control Islamic shrines
Jordan, Politics, 7/1/1998

Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan in an implicit criticism of the press law adopted by the government of Abdul Salam al-Majali that limits press freedoms to a large extent "it is not worse than having the mass media as mere echo of official institutions."

Upon addressing a seminar entitled "Education and Civil Society" on Tuesday in Amman, the Jordanian crown prince said pluralism embodies "diversification and enrichment," as it is unacceptable that certain groups monopolize the facts.

This is the first time the Jordanian crown prince has talked about the draft press law project which raised great anger in Jordanian public opinion.

On another topic, the Jordanian crown prince noted "a new US language aiming at marketing a conception of limiting Israeli intransigence to giving more concessions." He warned against being trapped by the concept of bartering between temporary issues (partial withdrawal) and between strategic issues like the question of refugees.

Prince Hassan denied "what has been rumored on Jordan's acceptance of a border security line with Israel of an area of 20 km," the prince said "Jordan did not and will not accept to be at any time part of the Israeli security structure."

Prince Hassan said "Jerusalem is a Palestinian matter" and "We support the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as a capital."

The prince said: "What is of concern to us in the negotiations are the Islamic Awqaf (Islamic trusts) and the holy shrines which will be handed over to the Palestinians so as to crown the Palestinian responsibility." This is the first time a Jordanian official has announced that Jordan will give up the administration of the Islamic shrines in Jerusalem to the Palestinians.

Previous Stories:
  Jordan, Israel discuss coordinating security affairs   (7/1/1998)
  Kuwaiti FM confers with Jordanian minister   (6/30/1998)
  Jordan rejects the concept of a second Madrid   (6/30/1998)

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