Jordan Times
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Israeli media reports 'lies' —
Khader
AMMAN (Petra) — The government on Wednesday refuted as “lies” reports by two
Israeli newspapers claiming that Jordan warned Israel against attacks plotted by
Syria and Hizbollah.
Government Spokesperson Asma Khader stressed that the reports were “completely
inaccurate and baseless,” saying that such allegations target Jordan and its
image as well as the Kingdom's ties with Arab and Muslim countries.
Khader added that the most recent contact between His Majesty King Abdullah and
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was in the February Sharm El Sheikh summit —
“which was contrary to what the two papers alleged.”
She explained that during his current visit to the US, the King did not bring up
the issue of Syria or Hizbollah in his talks with officials, civil society
bodies, businesspeople and representatives of Islamic, Christian and Jewish
organisations.
“The Monarch focused [during the talks] on the need to help the Palestinian
Authority achieve progress in the peace process and establish a state in order
to realise a just, comprehensive and lasting peace on all tracks — an essential
prerequisite to regional stability and development,” she said.
Khader added that King Abdullah also reiterated Jordan's determination to go
ahead with reform plans and efforts to open up new horizons for the generations
to come.
Also Wednesday, President of the Conference of Major American Jewish
Organisations James Tisch issued a statement in Washington denying what was
attributed to the King during his meeting Tuesday with leaders of American
Jewish organisations.
Khader added that Jordan was keen to preserve relations with all brotherly Arab
countries, including Syria and Lebanon. The Kingdom, she said, looks at
Hizbollah as a component of the Lebanese society and acknowledges its undeniable
and key political role.
“Jordan is keen to prevent such allegations from harming brotherly ties with
Arab states. At the same time, the Kingdom does not accept any distortion of the
noble message that King Abdullah promotes in influential world countries,” the
spokesperson said.