Jordan Times
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Jordan tells Hamas to
uncover hidden arms before political talks
Zahar says ready to visit Amman to defuse tension
AMMAN (JT) — Jordan on Saturday ruled out any
political talks with the Palestinian government until it dispatches a security
team to uncover more Hamas-hidden arms.
“The Jordanian government wishes first to receive a Palestinian government
security delegation to examine and discuss the issue and be capable of
uncovering more evidence as well as hidden arms that pose a threat to national
security,” Government Spokesperson Nasser Judeh was quoted by the Jordan News
Agency, Petra, as saying.
“All of this must happen before any political contacts with the Palestinian
government at the current stage.”
Judeh was responding to a reported statement by Palestinian Foreign Minister
Mahmoud Zahar that he was ready to visit Jordan this week to “put an end to this
tension” over the arrest of suspected Hamas activists accused of smuggling
weapons into Jordan and plotting attacks in the Kingdom.
Three suspected members of Hamas confessed on Jordan Television Thursday to
plotting to kill General Intelligence Department officers and stockpiling
weapons in the country.
“The Jordanian government, which does not wish to escalate the situation, is
keen on maintaining strong relation with the Palestinian Authority and its
components,” Judeh said.
In statements published on Friday in Al Rai daily, King Abdullah said Jordan's
historical ties with the Palestinians will not be shaken by a Hamas scheme to
plot attacks in the Kingdom.
"What some members of Hamas did against Jordanian national security by smuggling
weapons and explosives into Jordan will not affect whatsoever the historic
relationship with the Palestinian brothers," the King said.
"It will not stop Jordan from pursuing its national role towards them leading to
their full rights, foremost of which is the establishment of an independent
Palestinian state."
The newspaper said the King made the remarks during a meeting Thursday with a
group of political, economic and media figures.
The televised confessions followed the authorities' announcement that they had
arrested 20 suspects and seized weapons, including Iranian-made Katyusha
rockets.
"We are ready to visit Jordan now to defuse this crisis and to put an end to its
negative consequences on the two peoples," Zahar, who denied any involvement by
Hamas, was quoted by Reuters as saying.
Two of the suspects arrested last month said they were recruited by operatives
from the Palestinian group's Syria-based leadership.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Friday denied any involvement,
according to Reuters.
"We care for Jordan and ties are constructive between Syria and Jordan," he
said.