Jordanian assurances to Syria

Syria got strong assurances from the Jordanian government regarding the Israeli- Jordanian joint project to set up a dam on the occupied Syrian territories. These assurances give Syria the right to ask Israel to give back the area of Al Hamaa in addition to the Golan Heights. The latest assurances refuted previous statements by Jordanian officials regarding this project.

During the meeting of the Syrian-Jordanian Joint Committee in Amman, the Jordanian side, headed by the secretary general of the Jordanian Valley Authority Dr. Derid Mahasna, assured the Syrian side, headed by the Assistant Minister of Irrigation Barakat Hadid, that Jordan is committed to the implementation of the Union Dam on the Yarmouk river signed in 1987 in cooperation with Syria.

The Jordanian side clarified that studies for implementing the dam will be ready before the end of the current year.

The joint statement of the two sides said that it is not plausible for Jordan to cooperate with any other country in setting up a dam in Syrian territory. Israeli Infrastructure Minister Ariel Sharon stated last month that removing the Dam of Adsia to the area of Al Hamaa will be implemented in cooperation with Jordan, which was later denied by Jordan.