Jerusalem, 27 January 1998
DM MORDECHAI MEETS KING HUSSEIN
(Communicated by Defense Ministry Media Advisor)
Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai met yesterday evening (Monday) 26.1.98,
with King Hussein at his palace in Amman to discuss the need to continue
the peace process in the Middle East and to strengthen and deepen the
cooperation between the Israeli and Jordanian security forces. This is the
second meeting between the Defense Minister and the King in the past year.
The meeting lasted for three hours in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
After a private meeting with the King, the Defense Minister also spoke
with Crown Prince Hassan, Jordanian Prime Minister Abd al-Majali and
Jordanian Chief-of-Staff General Mara'i.
In a limited forum, the Defense Minister, King Hussein and Crown Prince
Hassan discussed the strategic situation in the Middle East, and
emphasized the need to combat terrorism, so that the opponents of the
peace process will not be able to sabotage it.
King Hussein said, "We must renew the trust between us. Real peace is the
only way to solve the region's problems."
Defense Minister Mordechai replied, "In my view, the peace with Jordan is
a strategic asset, and we must strengthen it through aid to Jordan for the
good of both our peoples." The Defense Minister praised the security
relations between the IDF and the Jordanian Army, saying that these
relations add to the building of trust between the two armies.
During the meeting, the Defense Minister requested the King's help in
continuing efforts to locate the remains of IDF soldiers missing in action
on Jordanian soil. King Hussein expressed his goodwill on this matter, and
asked the Jordanian Chief-of-Staff, who was present, to make every effort
possible to solve this humanitarian issue.