Saturday, January 31

His Majesty in good health following treatment for an infection

King Hussein said today in a letter to His Royal Highness Crown Prince El Hassan that he is in good health, resting and receiving medication for the treatment of a lymph gland inflammation. “I am resting (in London), while continuing medical treatment towards full recovery, God willing. As you know, I began treatment several months ago for a microorganism that has agitated my lymph glands and caused occasional fever, weight loss, fatigue and severe exhaustion during that period,” said the King in his letter. The director of the Royal Medical Services of the Jordanian Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Yousef Qousous, told Jordan Television on Saturday: “Four months ago, King Hussein complained of high fever, loss of appetite, and sweating associated with enlarged lymphatic glands. To be sure of the diagnosis, a biopsy was taken from the lymph glands in his neck in London. This revealed inflammatory reaction of that gland, and he was given treatment accordingly.” Dr. Qousous added that a month later, the same symptoms recurred and His Majesty traveled to the Mayo Clinic, where radiological and laboratory tests were conducted. In order to be sure of the diagnosis, a further biopsy was taken from an enlarged lymphatic gland in the armpit, and this revealed the lymph gland to be benign and not at all malignant. It indicated an inflammatory reaction due to a determined bacterial micro-organism, and the King was started on the appropriate medication. His Majesty responded well to the treatment and is in good health.

Tuesday, January 27

His Majesty left the Kingdom today on a private visit to the United Kingdom.

Monday, January 26

Israeli Minister received in Amman

King Hussein and Crown Prince El-Hassan held talks with Israeli Defense Minister Mordachai in Amman this evening on current efforts to salvage the faltering Middle East peace process. Officials stated that, “His Majesty stressed that a positive effort should be made to put the peace process back on track and advance it towards the achievement of a lasting and comprehensive peace which would fulfill the rights of all parties.” Mordachai’s official visit comes in the wake of several Israeli visits hosted by His Majesty over the last three weeks, including Labour opposition leader Ehud Barak, Speaker of the Knesset Dan Tichon, and a Shas party delegation.

Sunday, January 25

King Hussein returns from talks with President Mubarak

His Majesty returned from a short visit to Egypt today. He described his talks with President Hosni Mubarak as fruitful: “This extremely successful visit enabled me and my brother President Mubarak to talk about current affairs which we are living through and the requirements of the next stages.” Commenting on the current impasse in the peace process, His Majesty said, “This is a very hard moment for the history of the region but I hope that we will work together in the future to be in a position that enables our nation to face the challenges.”

Thursday, January 22

His Majesty returned to Amman this evening after a brief visit to Saudi Arabia

Wednesday, January 21

His Majesty performs the ‘Umra and holds talks with King Fahd in Saudi Arabia

King Hussein held talks at Safa Palace with King Fahd of Saudi Arabia today. The two leaders reviewed areas of joint cooperation and bilateral relations in various fields. They also discussed the situation in the Middle East region and the latest developments, particularly regarding the peace process and the need to overcome all obstacles faltering its progress. Earlier, King Hussein performed the ‘Umra (minor pilgrimage) to Mecca and then visited the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Medina.

Monday, January 19

Swiss delegation received by His Majesty

King Hussein, accompanied by Queen Noor and Princess Haya, told a delegation of Swiss journalists that a majority of people in Israel and the Arab World want peace despite continued attempts by minorities on both sides to derail the process. King Hussein stated: “What we need is to see is a strict adherence to agreements and strict implementation of agreements so that there is credibility given to the whole process which has been moving too slow and the minority of extremists here and there have dictated their agenda, the agenda of fear, and suspicion which might be aimed at driving the Israelis into a fortress, and creating a fortress mentality. This would be disastrous.” Commenting on the situation in Iraq, His Majesty criticized the seven year old sanctions: “I have personally never believed in sanctions...I believe that had they not existed...a lot of changes could have occurred already in Iraq towards pluralism and democracy.” The King continued: “It (U.N. sanctions) becomes particularly more focused when we see how much suffering the people of Iraq endured and I stress again, the people of Iraq, the children, the people who are denied medicine and food. But not necessarily another group of people, who are in control of the country and have been so far. I do not think we have heard that their children...have suffered anywhere as much as we see in photographs and reports we see from time-to-time. So it is really the concern for the people of Iraq for their future, for their humanity. It is a country so rich. Such a past. How long can it endure? And to what end, I have no answer, I really do not know.”

Wednesday, January 14

His Majesty meets Israeli Shas delegation

King Hussein met a delegation of Israel’s Shas religious party today to discuss the stalled Middle East peace process and internal political developments in Israel. The meeting in Amman with the Shas delegation is the latest in a string of talks held between the King and Israeli officials in the past week. The eleven member delegation of the religious Sephardi party, which supports the peace process and territorial compromise, included its leader Rabbi Aryeh Deri, Minister of Interior Eli Sweisa and Minister of Social Justice Eli Ishayi. The string of visits by Israeli leaders comes in the wake of the resignation of Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy and the defection of his moderate Gesher Party from the hard-line coalition of Mr. Netanyahu.

King Hussein receives members of AIPAC

A delegation of the American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), who are currently on a visit to the Kingdom, met King Hussein later today to discuss the faltering peace process and the means of overcoming the obstacles hindering its progress.

Tuesday, January 13

President Arafat in Amman for talks

King Hussein and Palestinian President Arafat met today in Amman to discuss the deadlocked peace process. The two leaders exchanged views concerning the recent political developments in Israel following the resignation of Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy, and President Arafat also briefed the King on his imminent scheduled meeting with US President Clinton in Washington next week. During the meeting King Hussein again reaffirmed Jordan’s rejection of any unilateral Israeli steps that would paralyze peace making with the Palestinians.

Monday, January 12

His Majesty receives French foreign minister

King Hussein met visiting Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine today. The King reviewed with him the situation in Iraq and the Middle East peace process. King Hussein expressed Jordan’s appreciation of the role that the French are playing to overcome the logjam in peacemaking between the Palestinians and Israelis. The Foreign Minister said that his visit was part of France’s efforts to push the peace process ahead.

Saturday, January 10

President Arafat phones King Hussein

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat telephoned King Hussein today, after the latest mission by US envoy Dennis Ross, to discuss the latest developments in the peace process and exchange viewpoints on matters of mutual interest.

King Hussein receives US Congressmen

His Majesty, speaking at the Al-Hussein Youth City with four US congressmen, paid tribute to the positive role of the United States to help bring peace to the Middle East. King Hussein underlined the importance of achieving comprehensive development with supporting economic projects in the region, as these contribute to enhancing peace opportunities and promoting stability. The congressmen (William Barett, David Skaggs, Ray Lahood and George Shultz) all paid tribute to the King’s endeavors and his continued efforts to overcome the obstacles facing the peace process.

Monday, January 5

His Majesty meets with the Norwegian foreign minister Mr. Bjorn Tore Godal

Saturday, January 3

His Majesty receives US Senator Arlen Specter in Amman