Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Israel to U.S. : Now Deal with Syria and Iran -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: sea_urchin who wrote (10167)	2/23/2006 5:22:29 AM
From: GUSTAVE JAEGER	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 22250

Re: Galileo would truly have been amused... ...unlike Jordan's king Abdullah who's really NOT amused by an IDF senior officer's glib misgivings on the "stability" of the Jordanian regime: Thu., February 23, 2006 Shvat 25, 5766 No plans to oust IDF officer who questioned Jordan's stability By Amos Harel and Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondents and Haaretz Service A cloud hovered over Israeli-Jordanian relations after a senior Israel Defense Forces commander on Wednesday expressed uncertainty regarding the future of Hashemite rule in Jordan. [...] GOC Central Command Major General Yair Naveh noted that at least 80 percent of Jordan's citizens are Palestinian and said that, due to regional threats including Hamas' rise to power, King Abdullah is liable to be the last Hashemite monarch to lead the kingdom. He also warned of the creation of an "Islamist axis" that could topple the regime. These comments, which Naveh made during a lecture in Jerusalem, caused fury in Amman, and Jordan threatened to reduce official ties with Israel. An official in Jordan's embassy in Israel, Omar A-Nadif, said Wednesday that the Jordanian government expects "appropriate measures" to be taken against Naveh. He warned that failing to do so could harm Israel-Jordanian ties. Israel issued hasty explanations and apologies. Naveh sent a letter of apology to his Jordanian counterpart, Israel Radio reported Thursday morning. Security sources said Wedneday night that there is no intention to dismiss Naveh following his comments. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni called her Jordanian counterpart to clarify that Naveh's comments "in no way reflect government policy" and that Israel sees itself and Jordan as strategic partners. Naveh spoke at a closed-door briefing at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, attended by some 50 guests, most of whom were diplomats and foreign journalists. Speaking in Hebrew with a simultaneous translation into English, Naveh addressed the deepening Iranian influence in the region and the close ties between Palestinians in the West Bank and Jordan. "Given that Jordan is 80 percent Palestinian, we might - heaven forbid - reach a situation in which Abdullah is the last Hashemite king," Naveh said.[] Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz hastened to issue statements of rebuttal, saying that Naveh's comments do not reflect Israel's position in any way. Mofaz said he and Halutz "demanded an immediate inquiry of the issue." "Israel views Jordan as a strong, stable country, with a glorious heritage and promising future. Israel wishes to express respect and appreciation for the Hashemite Kingdom's vital contribution to regional stability and peace," their statement read. Jordanian officials declined to comment, saying that Amman awaited the results of the Israeli probe. Defense sources admitted Wednesday night that Naveh's statements upset the Jordanian regime and required an inquiry. However, military sources said these statements did not interfere with Jordan's internal affairs. "He did not speak out against the king nor express hope for a change in the situation. On the contrary, he expressed fear for the regime. It was a professional analysis of what could happen," a source said. They said Naveh was misunderstood and had spoken favorably of the Jordanians as partners in peace. Head of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Dr. Dori Gold, told Haaretz* that Naveh spoke of the joint threats facing the two countries and described a scenario in which Hamas joined the Muslim radicals in Jordan. Naveh intends to send letters of apology and clarification to the two officers who hold positions equivalent to his in the Jordanian army. The Jordanian Charge d'Affaires in Israel, Omar al-Nadif, blasted Naveh's prediction, and warned that the remarks could harm Israeli-Jordanian relations if "appropriate action" is not taken against the officer. Jordanian sources called Naveh's statements unacceptable and tantamount to insulting the Hashemite kingdom. The official Jordanian news agency, Petra, refrained from repeating Naveh's exact statement about King Abdullah. Instead, they quoted Naveh's statments about a Muslim axis that could pass from Tehran to Gaza and "might in the future pass through Jordan affect the regime there." Jordan is extremely sensitive to statements like Naveh's, and protests every time Israeli public figures speak about the Jordanian regime. This sensitivity is also reflected in steps and declarations against the separation fence. Jordan fears that the completion of the fence could lead to Palestinian immigration into Jordan, which could undermine its stability. Another senior officer also appeared to put his foot in his mouth Wednesday regarding a sensitive diplomatic issue. Deputy chief of staff Major General Moshe Kaplinsky said the Middle East is in a state of uncertainty and that "even in Egypt we see initial signs of a possible undermining of President Mubarak's solid regime." haaretz.com [*] Actually, what prompted Jordan to protest is the fact that Israel is still toying with the idea of merging Jordan and the West Bank and turn it into a Palestinian state: Message 20439590