Jordan Times
Tuesday, March 8, 2005
Jordanian prisoners in Israel to be released — minister
AMMAN (JT) — The government on Monday said Israel
was expected to release a group of Jordanian prisoners “soon” and the two sides
were already in talks over the arrangements.
“There are positive signs in the prisoners' affair and releases will take place
soon,” Agence France-Presse quoted Government Spokesperson Asma Khader as
telling reporters yesterday.
Khader, also minister of culture, said Jordan and Israel were discussing “the
arrangements and not the principle [of the releases].”
Jordan is seeking the release of around 25 prisoners, some of whom were
imprisoned before the 1994 peace treaty. Foreign Minister Hani Mulki held talks
on the issue during a weekend visit to Tel Aviv, where Israeli officials said
their country may release the prisoners.
Israeli media reports on Sunday talked of a possible release of only four to
coincide with a planned upcoming visit by Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom to
Jordan later this month.