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Al-Ahram Weekly 18 - 24 February 1999 Issue No. 417 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 18 - 24 February 1999 Issue No. 417
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Special Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters An alliance of equals
By Mahgoub Omar *
The late King Hussein had proposed that Jordan join a confederation with the Palestinian authority set up after Israel's withdrawal. The Palestinians had always opposed this suggestion; some requested that it be postponed until after Israel had withdrawn from occupied territory and a referendum on the question had been held; others refused altogether, for reasons related to the Palestinians' experience in Jordan under Hussein. Now Arafat, by turning the tables, has forced Jordan, as represented by the new king, Abdullah, to reject the proposal, at least temporarily. It has not been long since King Hussein's death, and the new monarch still feels that his success depends on a domestic Palestinian majority, yet cannot be sure of this constituency's loyalty.
The rapid refusal is probably due to the fact that the effective players in Jordan -- King Abdullah's power base -- are the tribes, the army and the ruling family. Former Crown Prince Hassan's followers are also in favour of distancing the Palestinians. In any case, it is now up to the EU, and especially Britain, to make a move. The creation of a confederation, of course, would imply that a Palestinian state has been recognised -- precisely Arafat's intention.
Shimon Peres has announced that, if Labour wins the forthcoming elections, he will back the declaration of a Palestinian state, and welcome the establishment of a confederation. As for Netanyahu, he has refused the idea categorically.
*This week's Soapbox speaker is an expert on Palestinian affairs and a columnist at Al-Shaab newspaper.
