Petra News Agency
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Government can never tolerate supremacy and enforcement of law
Amman, Jun.11 (Petra) Supremacy and enforcement
of the law is a must and the government will never act leniently against those
who attack civil servants while on their duty to enforce law and order,
Government Spokesman Nasser Judeh stated Monday.
"Such kind of attack is absolutely rejected" by the government, he said in reply
to reporters' question on an incident last Saturday in which policemen killed a
gunman and injured another in South Shuneh in the Jordan Valley after being
attacked by a group of armed gangsters.
The policemen were escorting government officials, who were enforcing the law to
regain state property seized illegally by local residents and to shut down
unlicensed water wells. Armed men opened fire with their machineguns at the
policemen who exchanged fire with the group. Unfortunately one of the group was
killed, Judeh said during his weekly meeting with media representatives.
The incident took place following a government campaign to retrieve state
property taken illegally by some residents and to enforce law against those who
also refuse to pay electricity and water bills.
"Jordan is a state of law and when there are violations, appropriate procedures
should be taken against outlaws," he added. "Some residents were fully ready to
cooperate and legalize their situations."
In reply to a question on the crisis between the Jordanian government and the
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, Judeh said contacts are
underway between the government and the concerned parties including the Greek
Orthodox Church and the Palestinian Authority regarding this issue.
Jordan withdrew its recognition of Theophilos III, head of Jerusalem Greek
Orthodox Church, on May 13, saying he had failed to honor his obligations to the
Jordanian government and annul an unsanctioned sale of church property to
Israelis.
The Patriarch himself sent two letters to Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit over
the past few days affirming his commitment to the Patriarchate 1958 law, which
bans the sale of any church land or property in Jerusalem, Judeh told reporters.
"The letters were assuring and positive," he said.
The government procedures emanate from Jordan's keenness to safeguard Jerusalem
and preserve the church property and the rights of the Orthodox community
particularly those residing in Jordan, Judeh added.
He noted that the Greek Foreign Minister would arrive in Amman on Tuesday. The
visit has been set before and has nothing to do with the Patriarchate issue.
However, he said this issue will be subject of discussion during the visit.
Asked about members of the Islamic Action Front, who were arrested in Zarka few
weeks ago, Judeh said they were arrested for their activities targeting the
state security. At first five people were arrested and three of them were
released after investigation. But then another five were arrested and
information about this issue will be released after completing investigation, he
added.
Regarding the situation in Iraq, Judeh said the process of reconciliation in the
country would be hopefully inclusive of all political and religious parties.
Jordan supports every efforts tailored to realize national reconciliation in
Iraq, he noted.
On the ongoing fighting in Nahr Albared refugee camp in Lebanon between the
Lebanese army and Fateh Al Islam organization, Judeh reiterated Jordan's
rejection of any attack aimed to undermine the country's stability and
sovereignty.