Jordan Reportedly Insists on a PLO Role in Peace Talks
A U.S. envoy discussed a Middle East peace plan with King Hussein and Jordanian officials Wednesday, and the Jordanians insisted on peace talks that would include the Palestine Liberation Organization, the official Jordanian news agency said.
Richard W. Murphy, assistant secretary of state for Middle East affairs, spoke with Hussein after discussing a joint Jordanian-Palestinian peace plan with Prime Minister Zaid Rifai and Foreign Minister Taher Masri.
The news agency said Murphy and Rifai discussed “arranging meetings between a Jordanian-Palestinian joint delegation to conduct a dialogue to pave the way for holding an international conference for a just, comprehensive peace in the Middle East.”
It said such a conference would include “all parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization.”
There was no immediate comment from U.S. officials. The United States has refused to deal with the PLO until it recognizes Israel’s right to exist.
Under plans described in recent weeks, the joint delegation would consist of Palestinians who are not PLO members, although they may be sympathetic to the PLO.
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