Statements of Hamas political bureau member Abu Marzouk
Syria-Jordan, Politics, 9/27/1999

The BBC correspondent in Damascus said that Mousa Abu Marzouk, a member of the political bureau of the Palestinian Hamas movement, who arrived in Damascus suddenly on Saturday night coming from Dubai after the Jordanian authorities refused to permit him to enter Jordan, met with leaders of the Palestinian forces coalition, who met in al-Yarmouk camp in Damascus to discuss what Hamas has been exposed to in Damascus.

The correspondent added that Marzouk announced that he expects discussions very soon between Hamas and the Jordanian government to end the crisis between the two sides and that these talks will lead to releasing the chairman of the political bureau of the Hamas movement, Khaled Mashaal; its official spokesman, Ibrahim Ghoushe; and their four escorts. The six were arrested last Wednesday upon their arrival in Amman from Tehran.

Abu Marzouk added that after his participation on Saturday in the meeting of the eight Palestinian alliance forces in al-Yarmouk camp that Arab and Jordanian mediations are being made now with the Jordanian government to release the Hamas leaders.

Marzouk ruled out that Hamas has any intention to transfer its offices from Amman to Damascus. Talking about this matter is premature. He added that leaders of the Palestinian coalition forces will send messages to Arab, Islamic and friendly countries in which they will ask for pressure on Jordan to release Hamas leaders. Marzouk added that he will start an Arab tour to explain the dimensions of the problem between Hamas and Jordan.

Well-informed sources in Damascus said, "Syria did not respond to a request submitted by members of the political bureau of the Hamas movement to have Damascus as a headquarters, due to the current sensitive conditions, during which the US administration is making efforts to resume the Syrian-Israeli negotiations."

Observers said, "Syria's approval on hosting Hamas members is linked to the developments of the peace process on the Syrian track."

Previous Stories:
  Jordanian government not backing off in procedures against Hamas   (9/24/1999)
  Hamas appeals to Arab leaders to intervene, end detention of its leaders   (9/24/1999)
  Islamists meet in Amman   (9/23/1999)

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