<s docid="FT942-4289" num="11"> Beneath the diplomatic veneer, it also reveals the frustration of a man who, for the past four decades, has been at the centre of attempts to bring about a lasting regional peace, but who may be sensing that he and Jordan have been edged to the periphery of a process which could define his country's future.</s>

<s docid="FT942-4289" num="12"> Much of King Hussein's dismay stems from the failure of Arab nations to rise above narrow self-interest, and his reluctant acceptance that Jordan may eventually have no option but to abandon one of its most fundamental commitments: its refusal to sign a separate peace deal with Israel.</s>

<s docid="FT942-4289" num="13"> Before Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians sat down with Israel at the Madrid peace conference in October 1991, they had agreed that their greatest strength lay in unity.</s>

<s docid="FT942-4289" num="14"> They were determined to avoid the example of Egypt, which in 1979 signed a separate peace with Israel, and not allow themselves to be picked off individually by Israel.</s>

<s docid="FT942-4289" num="15"> 'Sadly, that co-ordination has been a myth,' said the king, 'particularly in regard to our Palestinian brethren.</s>

<s docid="FT942-4289" num="16"> I had hoped that there would be the kind of co-ordination that would allow us to address jointly our problems with Israel.</s>

<s docid="FT942-4289" num="17"> This has not happened.</s>

<s docid="FT942-4289" num="18"> As a result we are convinced we cannot wait any longer.</s>

<s docid="FT942-4289" num="19"> We have to address the problems which relate to the interests of this country.</s>

<s docid="FT942-4289" num="20"> But at the same time we remain ready to address any request for help (from the Palestinians) to the best of our ability'.</s>

<s docid="FT942-4289" num="21"> However, the king does not know what the Palestinians want from Jordan, any more than he knew that Mr Yassir Arafat, the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, was last summer secretly negotiating an outline peace agreement with Israel which culminated on September 13 in a signing ceremony at the White House.</s>

<s docid="FT942-4289" num="26"> The king stresses his commitment to help the Palestinians, but added, sighing: 'If there are specifics asked of us, we would like to know in advance what they are'.</s>

<s docid="FT942-4289" num="29"> One consequence of the PLO attitude has been Jordan's decision to resume direct negotiations with Israel this week in Washington, for the first time since September.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="21"> [Husayn] I believe in response [?to your comments] that we are on the verge of beginning the serious negotiations that, hopefully, will lead to the establishment of peace between us.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="22"> As you will recall, we ratified the agenda following the great event that took place here in Washington on the Palestinian-Israeli track, and we have been waiting to commence serious negotiations on all aspects of the problems between us and Israel, and on all the subjects, topics mentioned in that agenda.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="33"> You visited President al-Asad recently.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="34"> Shortly after, there was progress on the Jordan-Israel track.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="126"> But, I think [word indistinct] suggested since the outset that we have to translate the items on the agenda into realities by negotiating over them, and that a peace treaty is a crowning achievement of resolving all the problems.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="184"> We are negotiating.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="185"> Negotiations are taking place.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="186"> Negotiations are going to take place.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="187"> So, whether they are at my level and the prime minister, or at the level of our representatives at this stage, one and the same thing.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="197"> [Husayn] I think, sir, that this is a problem in the minds of many.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="198"> I mean, obviously, it is a very important moment and we are starting serious negotiations at this stage.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="199"> Hopefully with good will and with a determination to achieve progress and resolve all problems.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="200"> That doesn't mean we have ratified peace yet.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="201"> But when we reach satisfaction on all the problems, when we've resolved all these problems, then, obviously, we will be at the state where the crowning achievement, as I've said time and again, is a peace treaty.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="268"> Is it possible that a meeting between yourself and Prime Minister Rabin may take place before a peace treaty is signed?</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="269"> [Husayn] It is a very possible, anything is possible, sir.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="270"> (?I am) quite flexible in that regard.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="271"> But at the moment, there is a mechanism for negotiations and they are ongoing, and if and when there is a reason perceived by us, or by the Israelis, or jointly, for us to meet, then we will meet.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="272"> It is not a taboo.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="273"> There is nothing that will prevent that.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="274"> And I hope it will come before too long.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="289"> We have our own positions that we adopt as a result of what we believe is in the best interest of all.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="290"> And our concerns for the region were real.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="291"> And I think that they have been justified.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="292"> We tried to prevent a war, we tried to reverse occupation peacefully.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="293"> There was nothing wrong with that.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="294"> Unfortunately, the problem is with some of our brethren who still believe that we knew that Kuwait was going to be attacked, that we were a party to a plan, allegedly, to create that eruption in that area, and this is totally false.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="295"> And I wish to God that somebody will be able to come out and talk to us about it in any detail.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="296"> We know where we are.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="297"> We know where we were.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="298"> So, somehow this problem has got to be addressed.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="299"> It hasn't been, so far.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="300"> We haven't been able to deal with it satisfactorily.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="301"> And it would be in the interest of all to come out with [words indistinct] and find exactly what happened, who was responsible for concocting such an idea, to avoid falling into such pitfalls in the future.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="302"> We have done everything on our side.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="303"> We've indicated time and again that any step toward us will be met by two from us.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="304"> But beyond that, we can't do more.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37518" num="305"> So, we'll have to wait and see and in time, I hope that, things will move in the right direction.</s>

<s docid="FT943-13871" num="11"> And next Monday in Washington, King Hussein is to meet Mr Yitzhak Rabin, Israel's prime minister, for the first time in public in a summit described by Mr Peres as marking 'the end of a state of war and the beginning of peace'.</s>

<s docid="FT943-13871" num="12"> Although no final Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty will be signed in Washington, both the king and Mr Rabin are seeking tangible benefits to take home to critics of the peace process, many of whom are looking for ways to exploit the lack of momentum.</s>

<s docid="FT943-13871" num="13"> The gap between the two countries is not large.</s>

<s docid="FT943-13871" num="14"> Today's talks focus on two key issues, borders and water.</s>

<s docid="FT943-13871" num="15"> Israel has already agreed in principle to redrawing the border and Jordan is claiming 360-382 sq km along the Arava desert, which would entail moving Israeli barbed-wire fences back to Churchill's line of 1928.</s>

<s docid="FT943-13871" num="16"> Israel is likely to concede a substantial part of this claim and seek other arrangements, such as a lease-back, for a strip of disputed land now being farmed by an Israeli kibbutz.</s>

<s docid="FT943-13871" num="17"> Both sides are also likely to agree quickly on a maritime border.</s>

<s docid="FT943-13871" num="30"> However, Middle East experts have said King Hussein, always a cautious risk-taker, is reluctant to move too quickly towards an official signing which would leave his powerful neighbour Syria exposed and marginalised.</s>

<s docid="FT943-13871" num="31"> On the other hand, he is anxious to win concessions from Israel on borders and water and present his deal to domestic critics as a victory for Jordan's territorial integrity.</s>

<s docid="FT943-13871" num="32"> The king is also keen to take several economically beneficial steps such as opening borders to tourists and trade and developing joint projects in the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley to boost his economy's flagging fortunes.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-58796" num="40"> From this perspective, and in response to the wish of the brothers in Yemen, Jordan exerted efforts to help pave the way for the appropriate atmosphere that made the parties to the political dialogue in Yemen reach the pledge and accord document that was signed under his majesty King Husayn's auspices in Amman on 20 February 1994.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-58796" num="41"> This document reflected a concensus to pursue building the unified Yemeni state.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-58796" num="49"> Mr. Prime Minister, you know well what Jordan and His Majesty King Husayn have offered since the launching of the peace process in Madrid in terms of constructive and positive efforts and contributions to push the peace process ahead, to highlight the independent Palestinian identity, and enable the Palestinian command, the Palestinian people's legitimate and sole representative, to exercise its role in the peace process by providing the umbrella that made it possible for them to overcome the difficulties that obstructed the peace process, and allowed the Palestinian party to participate in the Madrid conference on an equal footing with the other parties.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-58796" num="56"> In light of the recent meeting between His Majesty King Husayn and U.S.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-58796" num="57"> Secretary of State Warren Christopher, the positive signs that there is an understanding of the situation, and of the Jordanian request, and the possibility of reaching arrangements that would end this tribulation, we hope that this meeting will produce positive results, the blockade will be lifted, and a definitive solution to this problem found so Jordan can pursue its positive course toward the peace process.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-58796" num="83"> Jordan plays a role that extends beyond the Arab arena in to the international arena, due to His Majesty King Husayn's wisdom and ability to hold contacts and dialogues that serve the interests of the generous Arab nation, which Your Excellency spoke about at length.</s>

<s docid="FT943-14084" num="7"> The Arab-Israeli peace process gathered pace yesterday as the US announced the first public summit between the Israeli and Jordanian leaders and as Israel made substantial overtures to Syria on the eve of a Middle East peace shuttle by Mr Warren Christopher, US secretary of state.</s>

<s docid="FT943-14084" num="8"> President Bill Clinton said Mr Yitzhak Rabin, Israeli prime minister, would meet King Hussein of Jordan in Washington on July 25.</s>

<s docid="FT943-14084" num="9"> The two neighbouring states have technically been at war since 1948.</s>

<s docid="FT943-14084" num="13"> Mr Clinton said the summit would be 'another step toward the achievement of a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East'.</s>

<s docid="FT943-14084" num="15"> Mr Clinton said that in addition to their meeting, Mr Rabin and King Hussein would be invited to address a joint session of Congress.</s>

<s docid="FT943-14084" num="17"> In Israel the Rabin-Hussein meeting is expected to bolster both the government and public support for the peace process.</s>

<s docid="FT943-14084" num="18"> The summit will be seen as one of the first concrete benefits from peace talks with Palestinians and a step to ending Israel's regional isolation despite a 13-year-old 'cold peace' with Egypt.</s>

<s docid="FT943-14084" num="19"> For Jordan the move marks the determination of King Hussein not to be left out of the unfolding Middle East peace process and to press Jordan's interests ahead of wider Arab co-ordination, particularly with Syria.</s>

<s docid="FT941-12873" num="7"> In a rare display of Israeli political consensus on the Middle East peace process, leaders across the political spectrum yesterday welcomed the announcement by King Hussein of Jordan that he is ready publicly to meet Mr Yitzhak Rabin, the Israeli prime minister.</s>

<s docid="FT941-12873" num="9"> Mr Rabin said he was ready to make the necessary preparations to meet the king without pre-conditions; the king's offer represented 'significant progress' in the peace process.</s>

<s docid="FT941-12873" num="13"> Israeli leaders have been delighted with the king's statements in the US this week where he has outlined a vision of peace with Israel.</s>

<s docid="FT941-12873" num="14"> The Jordanian monarch continues to insist he he will not sign a formal peace agreement ahead of Syria, but he intends to go ahead unilaterally with political, diplomatic and economic contacts.</s>

<s docid="FT941-12873" num="15"> King Hussein has said that unless peace agreements are concluded this year, the region faces the prospect of deep instability.</s>

<s docid="FT941-12873" num="16"> He has called for a Middle East which holds the prospect of an entirely different future.</s>

<s docid="FT941-12873" num="19"> Israeli officials believe a Hussein-Rabin summit will lead quickly to economic co-operation, including the opening of borders to stimulate regional tourism and trade; joint Israeli-Jordanian development of the Jordan Valley between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea; the development of a tourist project between Jordan, Israel and Egypt around cities on the Red Sea; joint energy in projects in electricity and solar power, and new road networks.</s>

<s docid="FT941-12873" num="20"> Mr Peres, who met secretly with King Hussein and Crown Prince Hassan last November, says a peace agreement has been prepared in detail under which Israel will cede disputed Israeli-held areas of the Dead Sea and Arava valley to Jordan and then lease them back at a nominal price.</s>

<s docid="FT941-12873" num="21"> Mr Peres, however, says he believes that Israel and Jordan will move as close as possible towards full peace in 1994 without a formal signing ceremony.</s>

<s docid="FT943-9994" num="7"> The opening of the crossing by Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin will inaugurate a new era of economic relations between the neighbouring states, following the formal opening of direct telephone links between them by King Hussein and Israeli president Ezer Weizman yesterday.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="153"> Once that is settled, and it has to mean the return of Jordanian territory to Jordanian sovereignty, then we can look at the entire rift valley and look at what can be done in the context of looking at it as a complete economic unit in terms of resources, in terms of all the potential that there is to develop to the best way possible to the benefit of all.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="154"> So, the question of borders, and territories, and sovereignty over our territories is one of the aspects that has to be addressed.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="155"> Another area is water.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="156"> And there again, I believe that all the available resources might not be adequate for the needs of all concerned in the future.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="157"> But certainly, we have got to work out the distribution of these waters in a satisfactory way, in terms of the percentages that are peoples' right.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="158"> Beyond that, hopefully, in a context of peace, we can look at what can be done beyond that to secure needed water for all concerned.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="159"> And obviously the third dimension--and this is not all, because I have many other items on the agenda--is the human dimension.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="160"> There has to be a qualitative change of life.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="179"> We are coordinating with our Syrian brethren; we are coordinating with our Lebanese brethren; we are coordinating with our Palestinian brethren; we are coordinating with Egypt to the best of our abilities.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="185"> I believe that there are enough subjects that must be covered before we arrive at ratifying a peace treaty.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="186"> My own impression is that the time element will bring everything together almost at the same time.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="187"> So, that's how we are moving.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="188"> We are not trying to have a race, we're trying to address problems so that we resolve them once and for all, so that people can enjoy peace in the region.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="189"> We're not...</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="190"> [pauses] We're masters of our own destiny; we're working in regard to our own sphere.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="191"> We're trying to see at the same time that we encourage movement on all other tracks.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="192"> And I believe that problems elsewhere are probably less than they are as they affect us, because Jordan has borne the brunt of every disaster that has occurred over the years and the heaviest of weights.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="193"> So, we have a long way to go, but I hope, with good will on either side -- Israeli and Jordanian -- we'll see rapid progress [words indistinct].</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="200"> And I hope that, at least, as far as we are concerned right now, the Israeli partners in the negotiations will realize that instead of spending too much time on looking at how we can sign a piece of paper, and call it a peace treaty, and then negotiate it, let us get to negotiations.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="201"> I believe that this is happening, and therefore, I hope that it won't take long before we discuss all the problems that need to be resolved, and then the peace treaty will come.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54575" num="202"> We are committed to signing it and ratifying it when it is and when it will be the crowning achievement of resolving all the problems between us.</s>

<s docid="FT943-12560" num="6"> Mr Yitzhak Rabin, Israeli prime minister, and King Hussein of Jordan are expected to declare before the world the end of a 46-year state of war and the irreversible nature of their peace process, at a meeting in Washington today.</s>

<s docid="FT943-12560" num="7"> The meeting will signify the full return of Jordan to the western fold after the king's support for Iraq during the Gulf crisis.</s>

<s docid="FT943-12560" num="11"> King Hussein has always been a moderate and pragmatist but he has waited before signing a peace treaty with Israel in the interests of wider Arab solidarity.</s>

<s docid="FT943-12560" num="13"> The king has decided to go ahead with normalising relations and implementing joint projects ahead of a formal treaty, which is only a matter of time.</s>

<s docid="FT943-12560" num="14"> Some economic measures will be announced today as the first steps towards integrating the economies of Jordan, Israel, Egypt and the Palestinians into a Middle East common market.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="41"> We have always sought, to the best of our abilities, to promote the cause of a just, comprehensive peace in our region.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="42"> After the adoption of Security Council Resolution 242, we tried our very best to see its implementation through.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="69"> The areas of concern, Sir, are many.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="70"> But, let me give you an example of what my brother, probably, had in mind, and what I have examined with my colleagues, what we have talked about in Jordan.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="71"> For example, we have a border problem, and in particular in the southern area, the Dead Sea right down to the Gulf of al-'Aqabah.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="72"> Well, in the period after 1967, Israeli forces sort of moved into Jordanian territory without war, without fighting.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="73"> For security reasons, we couldn't do very much about it at that time, but we registered the fact.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="74"> We would like to see progress made as soon as possible to resolve this particular problem--the problem of territorial sovereignty, of border demarcation and delineation.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="75"> We are calling for a committee to look at this subject as rapidly as possible, and I hope that this will lead, obviously, to meetings on the ground there at important high levels.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="76"> Once this is done--as opposed to suggestions that maybe Jordan can lease land--Jordan cannot.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="77"> This is Jordanian land.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="78"> Then, we will look at the whole Rift Valley as an economic unit, and we will look at everything that we can do to make it so.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="79"> To see what benefits can be derived of our joint efforts to make that one of the most important elements of the coming peace, be it in terms of mineral resources, in terms of communications, in terms of the environment, in terms of -- so many other elements that would come along, as well.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="80"> This is something that we hope will happen and will begin to see realized sometime soon, and this leads onto the environmental questions, fighting desertification and dealing with that.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="81"> Another area is water, and that is very, very important to all of us.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="82"> So, again, we hope that very, very soon we will concentrate on that and see what can be done to ensure that the future is bright, at least in terms of the rights of all of us, on one hand, and then what can be done beyond that because I don't believe that the resources available in the area are sufficient to all of us.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="83"> This is a problem that is very much on our minds.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="84"> We cannot ignore it, and we have to look at other ways and means by which we can provide the water that is needed within our region.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="96"> We are very anxious to see what can be done and to bring about a change in the quality of life.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="97"> The priority has to go, obviously, to Gaza and the West Bank, to the occupied territories.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="98"> But beyond that, we have to look at the whole region and what can peace bring with it.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="99"> On the human level in that regard, there is a pending problem, as well, which we hope to address, and that is the reunification of families, in terms of those who legally should be reunited with their families in the occupied territories.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="100"> There is so much that is being done, so much that we are doing to the best of our abilities, in every area, and I hope that the results, not only of our efforts, but of the commitment and efforts of all concerned, will produce the results that all of us hope, something entirely different and may be too difficult for me to speak about in terms of limitations or scope at such a meeting.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="119"> We hope and we believe and we will work for our efforts to result in peace, and, at the same time, hopefully we will see that not only on the Jordanian- or Palestinian-Israeli track but also regarding Syria and Lebanon so that we have finally what we have always sought, a comprehensive peace in the region.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="161"> For example, Sir, and practically since 1970, Israeli restrictions on Jordanian exports to the occupied territories has cost Jordan $2 billion, deficit.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="162"> As a result of these policies, Israel has gained a trade surplus of 7.5 billion.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="163"> So, what I'm trying to say is that we have two problems here, Sir.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="164"> How do we address them, we hope that we will address the immediate one as it concerns us, and certainly the other one as it concerns other international concerns.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="165"> I think that is being resolved very, very soon.</s>

<s docid="FBIS3-54400" num="166"> I hope we will address this one to see that the protectionism that exists does not affect adversely the other side, and we have to work out something new and I hope that this will be addressed very, very soon.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-23130" num="12"> Statements by King Husayn during his recent visit to Washington and editorials in Jordan's mainstream press have strongly countered charges that the current negotiations betray pan-Arab ideals, while nonetheless arguing that Jordan must attend to its own interests in the peace process.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-23130" num="14"> END SUMMARY Jordan Determined To Proceed With Israel Negotiations At his 21 June Washington press conference, King Husayn replied to criticism that his government had sacrificed pan-Arab ideals to achieve progress in talks with Israel and declared that Jordan is prepared to proceed with negotiations on matters--such as borders and water rights--that concern Jordan's sovereignty independently of progress in negotiations between Israel and other Arab parties.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-23130" num="15"> He asserted that since "no other country in the Arab world" had contributed more to Palestinian and pan-Arab causes than Jordan, "nobody has the right to [tell Jordan] what to do" in its policy toward Israel.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-23130" num="48"> Implications Notwithstanding continuing criticism from opponents of the government's decision to negotiate with Israel, King Husayn's statements indicate that Jordan is prepared to pursue economic and political gains from talks on water rights and border demarcation, even though Husayn is probably not at this point prepared to sign a final peace treaty with Israel independently of the other tracks.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-23130" num="49"> While the domestic opposition is not likely to pose any substantial threat to his government, it is probably an irritant to King Husayn, who doubtless sees his personal credibility as a pan-Arab leader being challenged.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-23130" num="50"> Nevertheless, the newly reshuf fled cabinet has probably made the government confident that it can manage opposition from the IAF and other dissenting parties.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="7"> King Hussein of Jordan said yesterday for the first time he was willing to meet Mr Yitzhak Rabin, Israeli prime minister, in a move that could bolster efforts to reach a broad Middle East peace.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="8"> 'I hope an opportunity will arise before too long,' King Hussein said after meeting Mr Warren Christopher, US secretary of state, in Washington.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="9"> 'Its normal when moving toward peace that people meet'.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="10"> Such a meeting could take place before full peace was established, the king said.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="11"> His offer breaks with his and other Arab leaders' long-stated policy of refusing to meet Israeli leaders openly.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="12"> It will put pressure on Palestinians to strike a deal with Israel in talks which remained deadlocked in Cairo yesterday over implementation of Palestinian self-rule in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank area of Jericho.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="13"> Israel, anxious for increasing Arab recognition abroad and peace dividends at home, has been urging Washington to arrange a summit meeting with King Hussein in return for US assistance with Jordan's external debt.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="14"> Mr Shimon Peres, Israeli foreign minister, met the king secretly in Jordan last November.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="15"> Israel says a detailed peace agreement with Jordan was concluded, but the king has been reluctant to sign a formal peace with Israel ahead of Syria and Lebanon.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="16"> The king's move is likely to stir protest in Jordan, where parliamentarians yesterday condemned a visit by 83 Jewish Rabbis last week and attacked the government for letting them in.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="17"> But lately he has pushed far ahead of Moslem fundamentalists and others in Jordan who strongly reject peace with Israel and has outlined his vision of an unfolding peace based on regional economic co-operation and trade.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="18"> The king has made it clear that, while he is still committed to a comprehensive peace, Jordan is no longer willing to wait indefinitely for progress in talks between Israel and other Arab states.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="19"> 'We are not waiting for anybody but we hope that as things move we will all meet before too long having accomplished our work in establishing a just and lasting peace,' he said.</s>

<s docid="FT941-13153" num="20"> The king's offer will be warmly welcomed in Israel, which has been focusing recent moves on appealing to President Hafez al-Assad of Syria to assure a sceptical Israeli public about Syria's intentions towards the Jewish state.</s>

<s docid="FT933-5957" num="7"> KING HUSSEIN of Jordan yesterday flew unexpectedly to Damascus for urgent talks with President Hafez al-Assad, the Syrian leader, in the hope of co-ordinating the two countries' response to the proposed Palestinian deal with Israel - which took both leaders by surprise.</s>

<s docid="FT933-5957" num="17"> Diplomats said King Hussein's talks in Damascus will have been aimed at cementing a united response with Syria to the agreement.</s>

<s docid="FT933-5957" num="18"> Both countries have maintained they would not conclude separate peace deals with Israel without the Palestinians having first won a satisfactory agreement of their own.</s>

<s docid="FT933-5957" num="19"> The king will now be anxious Jordan does not become exposed by any immediate Syrian move to advance its own track of the Arab-Israeli negotiations on the back of the PLO-Israeli deal.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-12681" num="76"> As you know, we are proud to have been able to provide the second largest force of any in terms of the United Nations' efforts there.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-12681" num="77"> Now, we have to watch and see what happens in the coming period.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-48" num="11"> SUMMARY In an apparent effort to reassure the international community that Jordan remains committed to the peace process, King Husayn has issued statements that appear to soften an earlier ultimatum linking Amman's continued participation in Mideast peace talks to a change in the procedure of UN-mandated Multinational Interdiction Force (MIF) inspections of ship cargo bound for the Port of al-'Aqabah, which Jordanian media characterize as a severe hardship for Jordan's economy.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-48" num="14"> END SUMMARY Recent statements by King Husayn have signaled Amman's continued commitment to the peace process and its conviction that a solution to the al-'Aqabah issue is imminent.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-48" num="15"> Addressing a news conference during the visit of Austrian President Klestil, the king characterized the present mode of al-'Aqabah inspections as "totally intolerable," but added that the government had "an indication that the problem is being addressed, and we hope that we will have a positive response soon" (Jordan Television, 16 April).</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-48" num="16"> More recently, Husayn took pains to emphasize Amman's role in the peace process, stating that "we in Jordan have reiterated our position in terms of our readiness and determination to work seriously to implement the provisions of the agenda. . . approved after the signing of the Palestinian- Israeli agreement in Washington" (Jordan Television, 16 April).</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="28"> On a matter of importance, I informed his majesty that, subject to some fine tuning, the United States Government will support the establishment of a land-based regime for verifying enforcement of sanctions against Iraq.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="29"> The inspections will be carried out by a private independent, not-for-profit company of international stature and integrity, Lloyds Register of the United Kingdom, which will operate at the port of al-'Aqabah.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="30"> The United States is convinced that this new inspection regime will be as effective as the MIF [Multinational Interdiction Force], effective in guaranteeing that no Iraqi trade will transit al-'Aqabah other than transactions which have been specifically permitted by the United Nations.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="31"> Indeed, we believe that in some respects land-based inspections will [word indistinct] an improvement in our ability to enforce sanctions against Iraq.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="32"> And I want to emphasize that the king and I discussed these matters today, and the United States and Jordan and our MIF partners are all fully and definitely committed to the enforcement of the sanctions.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="33"> After careful study, I'm glad to say we became convinced that this proposal for a new inspection regime not only takes into account in response to the legitimate concerns that his majesty has indicated to me on a prior occasion, but will also make it easier to sustain and enhance the sanctions against Iraq.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="34"> The king and I have agreed that Jordan and the United States will cooperate closely together with the Sanctions Committee and other interested parties to effectuate and establish this new on-shore enforcement regime to make it work efficiently and expeditiously.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="77"> And what is the feeling, what is your own feeling about the situation of the Muslims now in Bosnia?</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="78"> [Husayn] It is one of deep anxiety.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="79"> And we do have troops there.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="80"> And I believe we probably have the second largest contingent of UN forces after France there.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="81"> And we will try our very very best to serve the cause of peace and justice for all, and alleviate the suffering of people there.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="87"> However, I believe that what is important at this stage, and I am sure that the secretary feels the same way, is that the overwhelming majority of people, what I call the peace camp on either side of the divide, we have in the recent past seen a change.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="88"> And there was so much enthusiasm for peace, and so much hope.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="89"> It hasn't been dampened by the recent tragic events and by the slow pace of progress in attaining a just and comprehensive peace.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="90"> I hope that the secretary's efforts, and the efforts of all concerned will see us really address problems seriously, and with total commitment and determination.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="115"> [Husayn] I believe that we offered much, and perhaps more than others did, to serve the objective of establishing a just and lasting peace in the region.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-14054" num="116"> We are committed to doing the impossible to reach a just, honorable, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the region, which will return the rights to their owners, particularly the Palestinian rights on the Palestinian national soil, and which will also give the generations an opportunity to live under circumstances different from those under which we lived.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-45072" num="63"> King Hussein recently expressed several times a formula, which could bring about a reconciliation with the Saudis.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-45072" num="64"> He referred on two occasions to King Fahd as "the servant of the holy places" (in Hijaz).</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-45072" num="65"> Recently, King Hussein also did not repeat his anti-Saudi rhetoric, and the impression was made as if the efforts at reconciliation between the two dynasties are continuing.</s>

<s docid="FT933-924" num="22"> The king characterised the Palestinian-Israeli deal as the sole option for peace in the region.</s>

<s docid="FT933-924" num="23"> He did not disguise his shock at not having been consulted during PLO-Israeli talks, but saw no alternative to backing the deal.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="31"> We will begin -- and we hope this will take place next month -- a long, arduous phase of serious negotiations to tackle all the items on the agenda that was agreed upon and ratified here in Washington immediately after the Palestinian-Israeli agreement.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="32"> We hope that all these issues will be addressed satisfactorily toward a comprehensive and just peace.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="59"> We are at the beginning of a long and arduous phase of negotiations.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="60"> Whether we are going to succeed or not depends on the Israeli side, because we are not seeking peace at any cost.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="61"> We are looking for a just, honorable, and lasting peace and for our people's right to live and dream.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="106"> We supported the PLO from the beginning and we addressed the Palestinian people as a whole and called on them to be cohesive and crystallize their ideas and ambitions through their cohesion, because the most dangerous thing is to break up in this critical phase.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="107"> We also discuss the economic dimension.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="108"> There is a Jordanian-Palestinian agreement followed by a Palestinian-Israeli agreement.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="109"> Now we need a Jordanian-Palestinian- Israeli meeting to review all that happened and see where we might reach.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="110"> Had there been coordination and a joint Palestinian- Jordanian stand from the beginning, we would have taken a short cut and perhaps realized more than what we have realized so far.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="111"> Therefore, our position in the future will be to respond to any Palestinian appeal to us and help them in any way, one problem at a time because in the absence of real coordination, there could be integration in stands, this is the only choice.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="127"> [Husayn] I believe that this situation or any similar tragic situation in the Arab homeland should be tackled within an Arab context.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="128"> Therefore, we had responded to the brothers' appeal and tried the impossible for months to arrive at the accord that was signed in Amman.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="129"> Representatives of the entire Yemeni people and all forces in Yemen without exception attended the signing ceremony and signed the accord.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="130"> We had high hopes that that event would be a turning point.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="131"> However, we were soon surprised by the consecutive explosions.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="132"> At the beginning, we tried, through a Jordanian team and a fraternal Omani team both working as one team, to stop the deterioration.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="133"> We were successful to a great extent.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="134"> Later, the picture became broader in terms of participation by other brothers and various sides.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="135"> In fact, we discovered that we could not continue our mission with respect to the military aspect of the Yemeni agreement.</s>

<s docid="FBIS4-37832" num="146"> We will not hesitate to undertake any effort for the sake of our brothers in Yemen.</s>

