Jordan Times
Monday, June 7, 2004
Premier, Palestinian minister discuss latest developments
AMMAN (Petra) — The developments in the Palestinian lands and Jordan-Palestinian relations topped the agenda of a meeting between Prime Minister Faisal Fayez and Palestinian Interior Minister Hakam Balaawi.
The Palestinian minister briefed Fayez on
progress made in efforts to restore peace and stability in the Palestinian
territories and developments on the ground. He highlighted the Kingdom's support
for the Palestinian people and their rights, including an independent
Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
“We are a one family facing the same challenges and perils, applying the same
approach,” Balaawi told reporters after the meeting, stressing the need for more
cooperation.
On the planned Israeli unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, Balaawi said the
Palestinian Authority is capable of “fulfilling the security needs of its
people,” in case of such a pullback, adding that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon “is manoeuvring, evading commitments and changing his style of work.”
“We welcome any Israeli withdrawal provided that it is part of the roadmap and
that pullback from Gaza comes in parallel with another from the West Bank.”
Minister of Interior Samir Habashneh, head of Jordan's Representative Office in
Gaza Jumaa Abbadi and Palestinian Charge d'Affaires in Amman Ata Khairi attended
the meeting yesterday.