Jordan Times
Friday, March 17, 2006
Khatib addresses
CDFJ meeting
AMMAN (JT) — Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib on Wednesday said remarks made
by Arab politicians at a recent conference in Syria "should not be blown out of
proportion." Speaking at a press meeting at the Centre for Defending Freedom of
Journalists (CDFJ), Khatib said the Kingdom does not want to turn the issue into
a crisis with the northern neighbour, "which now needs more friends and further
support." During the 4th General Conference of Arab Parties, which wrapped up on
March 6 in Damascus, speakers criticised the Kingdom for adopting the "Jordan
First" slogan. Representatives of Jordanian political parties who attended the
conference were criticised by officials and local dailies for remaining silent
while their country was being attacked. During his weekly press briefing on
Monday, Government Spokesperson Nasser Judeh criticised these representatives,
whose participation, he said, was on an individual basis. However, Judeh
emphasised the strong relations between Jordan and Syria.