King Hussein and Gingrich discuss peace process

King Hussein of Jordan and the speaker of the US House of Representatives Newt Gingrich met and discussed bilateral relations between Jordan and the US and the latest developments regarding the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis.

King Hussein reiterated his call for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Iraq after Saddam Hussein's forces invaded Kuwait, in 1990. Hussein asked for a direct dialogue to be held between the Iraqi government and the US administration, a demand rejected by the Clinton administration.

Yesterday, Gingrich did not follow the set program for his visit to Jordan. He did not attend a banquet in his honor by the speakers of both the Jordanian Upper House and Representative Council. Both speakers, a number of deputies and the Jordanian ambassador to Washington waited for him till 3 p.m. at the Meridian Hotel in Amman, but Gingrich did not attend.

ArabicNews.com was informed today that Gingrich also refused to tour a refugee camp around Amman.

Jordanian newspapers today accused Gingrich of having suspicious financial ties with Israel. "He has received more than $100,000 from the Jewish lobby," Jordanian newspapers said.