Jordan Times
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Abbas meets with Bakhit, says
Hamas arms cache 'dangerous'
High-level Palestinian political, security delegation to visit Jordan
AMMAN (Agencies) — Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas on Saturday called “dangerous and surprising” Jordan's discovery of a
cache of weapons attributed to Hamas.
“The information I received from the prime minister [Marouf Bakhit] and director
of the General Intelligence Department [Major General Mohammad Dahabi] is
dangerous and surprising at the same time,” Abbas was quoted by Agence France-Presse
as telling reporters after meeting Bakhit.
A high-level Palestinian political and security delegation was going to visit
Jordan to study the issue “which has serious repercussions for the security and
stability of Jordan,” Abbas said.
For his part, Bakhit said he welcomed the visit by the Palestinian delegation
and described as positive his talks with Abbas about the weapons seizure.
Jordan said Tuesday it had indefinitely postponed a visit by Palestinian Foreign
Minister and a Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar after finding a weapons stash
belonging to the group.
Jordan had found explosives and rockets in the hands of a Hamas cell, which had
been surveying strategic spots in Amman, the government said.
Jordan believes the weapons were smuggled into the country from neighbouring
Syria, AFP reported.
Jordan in November 1999 expelled Hamas members, including the now Damascus-based
supremo Khaled Mishaal, and closed its offices.
Abbas, who arrived here late Friday at the start of a tour of Turkey, Norway,
Finland and France, met in Amman for one hour with Spanish Foreign Minister
Miguel Angel Moratinos to appeal for resumed European financial aid to the
Palestinians.
“We will continue our help. This help will go to President Mahmoud Abbas, to his
office, and to the humanitarian aid,” said the Spanish foreign minister, who was
in Jordan to prepare for a visit next week by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia,
according to the Associated Press.
“This help will be increased in some sectors,” he added, without elaborating.
Abbas told reporters in Amman that his office received during the “last few
weeks” $50 million in aid from Russia, Algeria and other countries he did not
name. He said the money was transferred to the Palestinian presidency, the AP
said.