By Nida Ramahi
Amman
Jerusalem, the Peruvian weapons scandal, and the Jordanian-Iraqi relations were only some of the issues which topped the agenda at Wednesday's press conference held by Jordan’s Minister of Information Taleb Rifai in Amman.
At the start of the press conference, journalists asked the minister questions regarding government involvement in the professional associations, and whether joining an association should be mandatory, much of this had to do with the fact that there were problems involving a strike of members of the Ph.D. Holders Association, and the removal of a Journalist from the Jordanian Press Association (JPA).
The Minister responded firmly to these questions, saying that the associations are the strength and health of any body within a society and that there shouldn’t be government intervention unless the majority of the population calls for change.
Regarding the issue of Jerusalem, the minister said that Jordan regards east Jerusalem as occupied Arab territory and this stand is in accordance with views of other Arab and Muslim countries. Rifai said that Jordan would not permit residents of east Jerusalem to give up their Jordanian passports in order to get Israeli passports. He went on to add that the decision was previously taken to counteract Israeli plans to Judaise the city of Jerusalem. In answer to a question regarding the negotiations, he said the Palestinians are at a point where they have they full support of the Arab countries and they can make the demands they need, but he went on to give a mild warning that no rash steps should be taken regarding the peace negotiations and the decleration of a Palestinian state.
When it came to questions regarding the weapons’ sale to Peru, and the accusations hurled at Jordan by the country, Rifai said “they there looking for a story” referring to the Peruvians, and that Jordan had explained what happened in a written document and that there were no additions to make.
Although this press conference covered many of the same points that had been previously addressed at other conferences, the minister put great emphasis on the current visit to Iraq by the Minister of Trade and Industry, and the Minister of Transport. He said the visit to Iraq was of great importance, adding that Jordan has vital economic interests there and that this visit was part of an ongoing momentum that is developing, and will grow, he went on to add that the presence of the two ministers was important and crucial and that It comes “in the background of a series of decisions that have been made on the Jordanian part to ease, facilitate, enhance and encourage the flow of goods from Jordanian ports to other destinations by land into Iraq.” When Albawaba.com asked the minister after the press conference if this meant that there would be an easing of sanctions on Iraq, the Minister refused to comment.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
