Jordan Times
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Rafah deal a positive step for Palestinian people — King
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Friday
welcomed the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, describing the move as a
positive step to facilitate the Palestinian people's links with the outside
world.
In a telephone conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, King
Abdullah emphasised the need for more steps to enhance mutual confidence between
Palestinians and Israelis and contribute towards reviving the peace process.
The border crossing, which links the Gaza Strip with Egypt, officially opened on
Friday and marks the first time the Palestinians have been in control of an
international border without having to submit to Israeli security checks.
King Abdullah said the opening of the terminal could be regarded as one
milestone on the road to liberation and to the Palestinians' aspirations of
establishing an independent state.
Abbas thanked the King, noting the Palestinian people's appreciation of the
Monarch's relentless efforts in support of an independent and viable state. He
said the Palestinian National Authority would continue to coordinate with Jordan
in order to build on what has been achieved.
The crossing will initially operate for four hours per day. It will run under
Palestinian and Egyptian management. Around 70 European monitors will supervise
the deal, which was brokered by US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice to provide
a stimulus to the Palestinian economy and alleviate poverty.
The opening of the Gaza- Rafah border terminal comes three months after Israel's
pullout from Gaza and marks the first time the EU has undertook a monitoring
role in the Palestinian territories.
The head of the Jordanian representation office in Gaza, Yahya Qaralleh, who
attended the opening ceremony, described the event as a historic move for the
Palestinian people as they will now have direct contact with Egypt and the
outside world.