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Jordan's Abdullah angered by Arafat's cold shoulder

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Friday, September 22, 2000

AMMAN — Jordan has again expressed concern over the failure of the Palestinian Authority to brief the kingdom regarding the U.S.-sponsored peace process with Israel.

Jordanian sources said the Hashemite kingdom is concerned that Israel and the Palestinians are preparing to conclude agreements on such issues as the future of Jerusalem and refugees that will directly affect Amman. The sources said despite numerous appeals neither Israel nor the PA has taken Jordanian interests into account during the peace efforts.

Seventy percent of Jordan's population is Palestinian and refugees comprise a larger portion of the Hashemite kingom than in any other state of the Arab world.

The sources said King Abdullah is particularly dismayed with PA Chairman Yasser Arafat. Abdullah reminded Arafat that he had promised his late father that the Palestinians would regularly consult Jordan during each stage of the peace process.

Today, the sources said, Abdullah has told his aides that Arafat violated his pledge. The king was quoted as saying that Arafat flew to Egypt and met with President Hosni Mubarak five times since the Camp David summit ended in July.

In contrast, Arafat has not consulted once with Abdullah since the summit.

Jordanian sources warned that Amman will not pay the price for any Israeli-Palestinian accord. They said Jordan has moved elections scheduled in November for July to prepare for the prospect of any Israeli-Palestinian agreement during the final months of the Clinton administration.

For his part, Arafat appears to be focusing on improving his relations with Syria. Arab diplomatic sources said Arafat seeks to visit Damascus within the next few weeks and meet President Bashar Assad.

The sources said Arafat's refusal to accept Israeli and U.S. proposals on a peace accord has improved the chances of his meeting with Assad. They said Saudi Arabia has urged Assad to meet Arafat.

Friday, September 22, 2000


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