Jordan Times
Friday, September 24, 2004
Muasher, Shalom talk prisoners, bilateral relations
AMMAN (JT) — Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher and
his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom on Wednesday held talks on the Jordanian
prisoners in the Jewish state and bilateral relations.
Attending the 59th Session of the UN General Assembly at the United Nations,
Muasher told Shalom that an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip should be in
line with the roadmap and the first step towards a complete pullout of the
Palestinian territories, paving the way for establishing an independent state.
Muasher also reiterated Jordan's rejection of Israel's separation barrier that
threatens the Kingdom's security. He also discussed with UN Special
Representative for Iraq Ashraf Jehangir Qazi the latest developments in the
neighbouring country and the role of the world body at the coming stage.
Muasher stressed the need to give the UN a larger role, particularly in
supervising the elections.
The minister also discussed bilateral relations with his Palestinian, Iraqi,
Iranian, Canadian, Austrian, Italian and Ukrainian counterparts. He also met
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah G¸l.
Meanwhile, Muasher will visit Washington next week to meet Secretary of State
Colin Powell and US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice to discuss the
Middle East peace process, developments in Iraq and Arab reforms, according to a
statement from the embassy of Jordan in Washington. Prior to his visit to
Washington, Muasher will participate in the ministerial level preparatory
meetings for the G-8 Broader Middle East and North Africa's Forum for the Future
to be hosted by Powell in New York. Muasher will also address the Brooking
Institution's Saban Centre, one of the leading think tanks in Washington,
focusing on Jordan's perspective on the pressing issues in the region.