Jordan Times
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Delegation leaves for Syria to discuss border issues
By Khalid Dalal
AMMAN — A Jordanian security delegation will start a one-week visit to Syria today to discuss with officials there matters related to border issues between the two countries.
According to a source at the Ministry of Interior, who declined to be named, the delegation will be headed by Governor Mukheimar Abu Jamoos and will discuss the issue of decades-old Syrian encroachment on 125 square kilometres of the Kingdom's territories along its northern borders. The source said there are some Syrian facilities and farms established on these lands. “Such an issue will be also under discussion,” he said. The source said the delegation would also look into the issue of Jordan's slight encroachment on Syrian territory, which the source said “does not exceed more than 2.5 square kilometres.” The delegation will also discuss ways to enhance monitoring procedures along the Jordanian-Syrian border to combat infiltration and smuggling, said the source.
According to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, if/when the Jordanian and Syrian officials reach a compromise over these border issues, Minister of Interior Samir Habashneh is expected to meet with his Syrian counterpart and sign a deal on border demarcation.
The news agency reported that Jordanian officials will prepare with their Syrian counterparts the maps and the criteria according to which the border between both countries will be demarcated.