Their Majesties leave the Kingdom today for State visits to Germany, Denmark and Tunisia

Monday, April 20

King Hussein and Queen Noor meet President Gorbachev

Their Majesties received President and Mrs. Mikhail Gorbachev at their home Bab Al-Salaam. His Majesty presented the former Soviet leader with “Al-Nahda Medal.”

Jordan furthers tourism ties with France

Today, Their Majesties met with the French Minister of Tourism Michelle Demessine to discuss enhancing French support and cooperation in the fields of tourism and the preservation of Jordan’s archaeological heritage. According to Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Mr. Akel Biltaji, as a result of the Jordanian Season in France, which was inaugurated by Queen Noor and Madame Chirac in March 1997, there has so far been an increase of sixteen percent in the number of nights spent by French tourists in Amman for 1997, as compared to 1996.

Sunday, April 19

His Majesty receives British Prime Minister

King Hussein held talks today with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. During a joint press conference in Raghadan Palace, King Hussein stressed that the peace process could still be saved: “This is a time when I believe the peace process can be saved, or otherwise we will be plunged into a very dark and dangerous period...we must do whatever we can for the descendants of the children of Abraham to live in peace and security, in human dignity and to put their abilities together to build a future that is worthy of them.” Prime Minister Blair commented that both Britain and the European Union intended to play an active role in the peace process, complementary to the efforts made by the United States. On the bilateral level, King Hussein and Mr. Blair hailed the strong relations between the two countries and expressed their willingness to expand cooperation. Prime Minister Blair emphasized “how strong relations are between Britain and Jordan and how we wish to see that relationship deepened and strengthened even further in the coming period.”

Saturday, April 18

King Hussein meets Secretary Cohen

His Majesty met with visiting US Defense Secretary William Cohen in Amman to discuss the stalled peace process and military cooperation between the two countries. Earlier, during a press conference with Prime Minister Abdul Salam Majali, Mr. Cohen commented that Jordan and the US are partners in peace and stability in the Middle East, and his visit was to reaffirm their shared goals for the future, “The cooperation between the US and Jordan is very strong and productive...We have worked very hard to provide Jordan with its defense requirements including the delivery of F-16 aircraft.”

Thursday, April 16

King Hussein and Prime Minister Netanyahu meet in Aqaba

His Majesty and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu held unscheduled talks in the Israeli town of Eilat today. During the two hours talks the two leaders focused on the stalled Palestinian-Israeli track. The meeting precedes the visits of US Defense Secretary William Cohen, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and US Middle East envoy Dennis Ross to the region in the coming week.

His Majesty addresses ministers in Aqaba

During a meeting with the Council of Ministers in the Red Sea town of Aqaba, King Hussein emphasized the importance of the southern port city as an attractive region for tourism, economic and commercial activity. His Majesty stated that “the meeting in the port city should serve as a positive turning point for this dear part of the homeland.” The King demanded that the government take whatever necessary steps needed to safeguard the cleanliness of the region and the protection of the environment, with special attention to Wadi Rum and the coral reefs of Aqaba.

Wednesday, April 15

His Majesty sends Jordanian premier a letter

King Hussein sent a letter to Prime Minister Abdel Salam al-Majali in which he expressed Jordan’s full support of the Palestinian National Authority and criticized the writings of some Jordanian newspapers as harming relations with the Palestinian leadership and neighboring Arab states. King Hussein called for Prime Minister Majali to submit a new press and publications draft law to Parliament as soon as possible, stressing that the new law must serve as a deterrent to anybody trying to tamper with Jordan’s relations with other Arab countries or harm national unity. His Majesty also recounted Jordan’s continuous contacts with numerous parties in order to advance the peace process, and added that the “courageous, responsible Palestinian stand was met with appreciation on the part of the Arabs, the world community and peace-loving Israelis, as well as the US administration and the European governments.”

His Majesty discusses regional issues on the phone with President Clinton

Tuesday, April 14

King Hussein addresses the Cabinet

His Majesty held a meeting today with the Jordanian cabinet, in order to discuss a number of domestic and foreign issues. Concerning the possibility of an upcoming Arab summit, King Hussein said that preparations were necessary in order to ensure “a successful meeting that would come up with a unified stand that serves the Arab cause everywhere.” He voiced hope that the recent agreement to end the Northern Ireland problem would be an example for a solution to Palestinian problem. On the domestic front, King Hussein said that he hoped that an upcoming cabinet meeting that will take place in Aqaba soon will be a “turning point in the history of the city.” During the cabinet session, ministers briefed His Majesty on plans and progress in work at the different ministries.

Monday, April 13

His Majesty receives Israeli delegation

King Hussein met in Amman today with a visiting delegation from the Israeli Meretz party. His Majesty expressed appreciation for Meretz’s efforts to advance the peace process and its opposition to the settlement policies of the current Israeli government. A group of Jordanian parliamentarians also met with the Meretz delegation, and Jordanian deputy Hamadeh Fara’neh announced the formation of a tripartite Jordanian/Israeli/Palestinian parliamentary commission to “enhance international coordination at the parliamentary level against Israeli official policies.”

Friday, April 10

King Hussein goes to Egypt for talks with President Mubarak

His Majesty held official talks with Egyptian President Mubarak in Egypt today to discuss bilateral relations, the latest developments in the Middle East peace process and efforts exerted by the United States and the European Union to end the deadlock. The two leaders also voiced their hope of resuming the peace talks on the Syrian-Israeli and Lebanese-Israeli tracks to reach a just and comprehensive settlement which would allow the concerned people of the region to use their resources for their economic development. Later, Their Majesties King Hussein and Queen Noor were accompanied by President Mubarak to several touristic sites in Sharm Al-Sheikh.

Saturday, April 4

Their Majesties return to the Kingdom this evening from a trip to the USA

In a press conference upon his return, His Majesty described his meeting with US President Clinton as productive, “My visit to the United States was timely and the results of my talks were very positive, particularly with regard to the delicate situation in the Middle East.” In regards to Israel’s recent acceptance of United Nations Resolution 425 that demands Israel’s unconditional withdrawal from south Lebanon, King Hussein said “I hope this could be a positive step on the way towards not only the withdrawal from Lebanon, which is an implementation of the U.N. Security Council Resolution, a decision which we have so long waited for. The same should apply to the occupied Syrian Heights”. In response to a question referring to his talks with President Clinton about opening a dialogue with Iraq, the King commented, “I have put forth my view in all my meetings with the American officials I met with, and I believe that the situation is quiet at present and I hope we will soon see a continuous movement towards ending the suffering of the Iraqi people because this is our main objective.” Commenting on the situation in the West Bank where a Hamas leader was killed recently, His Majesty said “I hope that things will not move beyond this point towards violence because we will be playing into the hands of extremists who wish that to happen to destroy the chances for peace.”