Talks between Barak and King Abdullah
Jordan-Israel, Politics, 7/15/1999

King Abdullah Bin al-Hussein of Jordan on Tuesday night in the Jordanian city of al-Aqaba held a bilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. This meeting was followed by a plenary meeting attended by members of the Jordanian and Israeli sides.

During the meeting, discussions dealt with bilateral relations between Jordan and Israel and means of strengthening them, especially in the trade fields. The two sides stressed the importance of completing the implementation of items of agreements signed between the two sides in various areas of cooperation.

Discussions also dealt with the peace process and means of backing it and resuming it on all tracks.

King Abdullah stressed the importance of implementing the Wye River agreement in order to get into the final status negotiations with the Palestinians.

The Jordanian king also expressed his satisfaction with the position adopted by the new Israeli government and its adherence to the peace process, a position which was also reciprocated by similar positive stances by all sides directly involved in the Middle East peace process.

The two sides stressed the importance of benefiting from these positive positions and of the abidance expressed by all sides concerned for achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region inspired by all its peoples.

The two sides stressed that the year 2000 should be the year of achieving peace and having the region enter into a new phase built on stability and cooperation among its people in order to have a better future for the coming generations.

On the Jordanian side, the meeting was attended by Prince Faisal Bin Hussein, Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh, royal court chairman Abdul Kareem al-Kabareiti, Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Rima Khalaf, advisor to the king Adnan Abu Jodeh and the ministers of foreign affiars, information and culture, the chairman of the Jordanian intelligence and the Jordanian ambassador in Tel Aviv.

On the Israeli side the meeting was attended by members of the delegation accompanying Barak and the Israeli ambassador in Amman.

Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh expressed optimism over the results of the talks held between King Abdullah and Barak. He added, "What we have heard about the Israeli prime minister following his meeting with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Yasser Arafat and what we have heard tonight is promising. But we will wait to see the progress in the peace process a real fact."

In a joint press conference with Barak at the conclusion of the Jordanian- Israeli talks al-Rawabdeh stressed Jordan's persistence to achieve a just and durable peace that peoples of the region can defend. He added, "We have shared information which stresses that our Syrian brothers are serious to achieve peace and are careful that the talks will result in establishing a just and comprehensive peace."

He indicated that views were exchanged on several matters that are expected to be debated during the forthcoming negotiations between Syria and Israel. Al-Rawabdeh also stressed that Barak showed a positive response, a matter which evokes optimism, over the development of matters for the better on the Syrian-Lebanese track. He described Barak as "an honest soldier who honors his word."

On the reason behind Jordan's not participating in the Israeli-Turkish maneuvers, al-Rawabdeh stressed that this cannot be taken as a negative reflection on Jordanian - Israeli relations. "We have a peace agreement with Israel, and we are careful to achieve peace, which we consider as a strategic option for the Arabs and the Israelis," he said.

For his part, Barak said in the joint press conference that there were encouraging positive signals shown recently by Syria. He expressed his hope that Syrian - Israeli negotiations will be resumed very soon with the objective of reaching a comprehensive settlement that guarantees Israel's security and peace for the region.

Barak announced his adherence to honoring international agreements signed by Israel, noting that "this needs patience."

Barak added that he briefed King Abdullah on the results and content of his meeting with Presidents Mubarak and Arafat as well as matters pertaining to the Middle East that he will discuss with the US President Bill Clinton.

Barak continued that he also discussed with King Abdullah and the Jordanian officials bilateral relations in various areas, including trade, the airport project in al-Aqaba, the problem of water in the long run and bilateral cooperation to strengthen bilateral relations.

The Israeli prime minister reiterated his commitment to implementing all agreements signed by Israel, including the Wye River agreement. He added, "We will implement this agreement," noting "the need for time in order to study maps and eliminate obstacles hindering the agreement. The matter takes several weeks. And we are determined to end the conflict which lasted for one hundred years in the Middle East."

Previous Stories:
  On the meeting between King Abdullah and Barak   (7/14/1999)
  King Abdullah meets Barak   (7/13/1999)
  Arab members in the Israeli Knesset confer with Jordanian ambassador to Israel   (7/12/1999)

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