Abu Marzouk: Damascus welcomed expelled Hamas leaders, as visitors
Syria-Jordan, Politics, 11/23/1999

In a statement to the London-based al-Hayat daily following the expulsion of the four Hamas leaders from Jordan, the former chairman of the political bureau of the Hamas Movement, Moussa Abu Marzouk, said, "We were surprised by Jordan's official declaration to expel four of the Hamas leaders and the release of others and keeping them in Jordan."

On his explanation of the Jordanian official version that a royal pardoning was released for them and that traveling abroad is the four leaders' decision, Abu Marzouk said: "Certainly one who leaves at his own will not go from prison to the plane. Besides, our brothers," the Hamas leaders, "had earlier refused any measure concerning the request made by the prime minister to leave Jordan."

On the possibility of having a deal in which Doha took part to eliminate the crisis, Abu Marzouk said it "is difficult to talk about a deal between two sides we are not part in, but, at any rate, we do not accept expulsion."

Abu Marzouk denied any official contact with Syria to transfer the stay of the expelled leaders to Damascus. But he said, "Syria welcomes any Arab militant. They are welcomed in al-Shaam as visitors," adding that "Damascus, at any rate, would not have accepted the Jordanian expulsion measure."

Previous Stories:
  Abu Marzouk denounces expulsion of Hamas leaders from Jordan   (11/22/1999)
  Hamas criticizes deportation of four of its leaders to Qatar   (11/22/1999)
  On the expulsion of the four Hamas leaders   (11/22/1999)

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