Jordan MP: Framework agreement excludes Palestinians from right of return

MP: Jordan's leadership rejects use of Jordanian, int'l forces in Jordan Valley to prevent Palestinians from reaching future state.

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON
Jordan Valley. (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Jordan Valley.
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
The proposed American framework peace proposal has a secret clause that rules out the right of return for Palestinians with citizenship other than Palestinian, says a Jordanian MP.
Jordanian MP Muhammad al-Qatatsha told Ma’an news agency that US Secretary of State John Kerry’s framework agreement had such a clause.
He also said the Jordanian leadership rejects the stationing of Jordanian and international forces in the Jordan Valley to prevent Palestinians from entering their future state.
Qatatsha added that the Jordanian parliament would support the Palestinians, but would not independently push any initiative since Amman is coordinating its position with the Palestinians.
Palestinians make up a majority of the population in Jordan, and relations have been fraught with the Hashemite regime and its Beduin allies. The Jordanian government and the tribes would be pleased if Palestinians left and went to a future Palestinian state, thus removing a thorn in the side of the government, worried that their growing numbers could increase their demands for fair representation in the government.
Jordan’s King Abdullah is in the US and is scheduled to meet with President Barack Obama on Friday in California. He met with Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday, in talks focusing on the peace process and the conflict with Syria, Jordan News Agency – Petra reported.
Abdullah met with congressional leaders on Tuesday and emphasized his support for a two-state solution and that Jordan’s interests are at stake regarding the final settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.
“Jordan’s higher interests are the top priority when it comes to discussing final-status issues,” he said, according to Petra.