Jordan Times
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Rafah border deal step forward — King
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah on
Wednesday said the Palestinian-Israeli agreement to open the Gaza-Egypt border
at Rafah was a step forward in the peace process.
King Abdullah told Quartet envoy James Wolfensohn at a meeting that more steps
were needed to help the Palestinians improve their economy and living standards.
Palestinian and Israeli negotiators on Tuesday reached the agreement after
marathon talks chaired by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Wolfensohn.
The deal allows for the Rafah crossing to be opened on November 25 under
Palestinian and Egyptian control and EU supervision. A liaison room that will
receive live video transmission from the border will be set up with
representatives from Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the EU, but Israel
had to drop its demand for veto right over who comes and goes. The EU monitoring
team will arbitrate any disputes between the two sides, but the Palestinian side
will have the ultimate say.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah on Wednesday received Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel
Angel Moratinos, who offered condolences over the killing of 57 people in last
weeks' triple attacks on three Amman hotels.
During a meeting, Moratinos expressed Spain's support for the Kingdom and
commended Jordan's security forces, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
Thanking Spain for its support, King Abdullah said fighting terrorism, which hit
Amman and, last year, Madrid, requires the entire international community's full
cooperation.
In March 2004, attacks on four commuter trains in Madrid killed 191 people and
injured more than 1,600. The bombings were blamed on militants with suspected
ties to Al Qaeda.
King Abdullah and Moratinos also discussed bilateral relations and means to
enhance them.
Moratinos yesterday visited Radisson SAS Hotel, which was one of the bombed
hotels.
Also on Wednesday, the King and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad Ben Zayed,
who arrived here on Tuesday, inspected Radisson SAS Hotel and visited those who
were injured in the attacks.