Arafat in Amman
Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 6/29/1999

King Abdullah Bin Hussein of Jordan and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat held talks on Monday in Amman which, according to a Jordanian official source, dealt with the stalemate in the Middle East peace process, especially on the Palestinian- Israeli track, and means of relaunching it.

Talks also dealt with the record of trade and tourism cooperation between Jordan and the self-rule areas.

Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh took part in the talks.

Following his meeting with Arafat, King Abdullah called for resuming "negotiations on all tracks, especially on the Palestinian - Israeli track." He asserted the importance of implementing signed agreements between the two sides so as "to reach the final stage of negotiations."

The Jordanian king stated that, "Optimum peace in the region will not be attainable without settling the cause of Palestine." He reiterated that Jordan is backing "the Palestinian brothers until they will be able to restore their rights and establish their own independent state on their national soil."

He put "all Jordanian potentials at the disposal of the Palestinians in order to benefit from these potentials in building their national institutions."

Arafat expressed his "appreciation for Jordan's leadership and people for their stand in backing the cause of Palestine and the struggle of the Palestinians to restore their legitimate rights."

King Abdullah visited Gaza on May 26. It was his first visit to the Palestinian self-rule areas since he was inaugurated as king following the death of his father, King Hussein, in February.

AFP said, quoting a Palestinian official accompanying Arafat, that the Arafat's visit has a health aspect to it as he will undergo medical tests which he described as routine and will return back today to Ramallah in the West Bank.

On June 1, 1992, the Palestinian leader underwent brain surgery at Hussein Medical Hospital in Amman following an air incident in April of the same year. Since then a series of medical checks have been made for Arafat in the Jordanian capital.

Previous Stories:
  King Abdullah - Arafat hold summit   (5/27/1999)
  King Abdullah confers with Arafat   (4/5/1999)
  Poll: Most Jordanians support confederation with Palestine   (3/15/1999)

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