Jordan says it is premature to discuss confederation with Palestinians

Jordan's King Abdullah on Wednesday reiterated that any discussion of a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation or federation before the establishment of an independent state is premature.

In an interview with Egypt's Al Ahram daily, Abdullah said that "our position is unwavering. Any discussion of confederation or federation is premature, and we have no desire to discuss it."

"The form of the future official Jordanian-Palestinian relationship is something to be decided by both after the establishment of an independent Palestinian state," he stressed.

Abdullah said that efforts should focus now on launching Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations that would "lead to a two- state solution, an independent viable Palestinian state on Palestinian soil living in security and peace side-by-side with Israel". The Arab Peace Initiative reactivated by the 19th Arab summit in Riyadh in late March is an opportunity to achieve regional peace and end violence and suffering "endured by the people of the Middle East, especially the Palestinians", he said.

On the Palestinian refugee problem, King Abdullah said the issue is an important one both for the Palestinian people and Jordanians.

"Jordan hosts the largest number of Palestinian refugees outside Palestine, but this does not negate their right to return and to compensation."

"It is a cause that must be dealt with according to international law. Let me reiterate that the Arab Peace Initiative includes a clause that says that there must be an agreed solution to the refugee issue, according to UN General Assembly Resolution 194," he added.

Source: Xinhua