Much more to be done

February 10, 2004

Jordan Times

Much more to be done

Editorial

THE MEETING between His Majesty King Abdullah and Syrian President Bashar Assad yesterday, following the two leaders' launching of the construction of Al Wihdeh “Unity” Dam, was an opportunity to regain some common ground by discussing pressing regional conflicts especially the Palestinian and Iraqi files. The laying of the cornerstone of the dam points to positive movement on Jordanian-Syrian relations. While the project in itself is important, it has been stymied since its conception in 1953, often reflecting the ebbs and flows in the ties between Damascus and Amman.

With the warming of relations between the two countries' young leaders as each assumed power, an agreement was finally signed to build the dam on the Yarmouk River in 2003. Regional conflicts that heated up in recent years and were exacerbated by the war and occupation of Iraq and the related similar as well as distinct pressures that were put on both countries worked to restrain if not cool those relations. But recognition of the realities of a region striving for economic integration, the building of democracy, and overall reforms leads to the political maturity that urges Arab countries to play ball.

Looking at Syrian-Jordanian relations, it is clear that much more needs to be done to cement them. It is no secret that the two countries may have different views on how best to support the stabilisation of the new Iraq. The one-to-one talks between the two leaders may have brought Amman and Damascus closer to an agreement on the Iraqi conflict, which so closely affects both countries.

The Palestinian situation is no less urgent in view of the fact that violence and continued bloodshed have replaced peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian side. Both Syria and Jordan agree fully on the need to implement the roadmap formula for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The clear support of Jordan for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights is a constant feature of Jordanian policy on the urgent need to implement UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. We may expect further contacts between the two Arab leaders in the future and would very much like to see these contacts institutionalised and held periodically.