Jordan, Israel Set Diplomatic Ties, Plan Envoy Exchange

Jordan and Israel announced Sunday that they are establishing diplomatic ties, a month after the two countries signed a peace treaty ending a 46-year state of war.

A joint communique issued in Amman and Jerusalem paved the way for exchanging ambassadors and opening embassies in Amman and Tel Aviv by Dec. 10, as set out in the treaty.

Jordan thus became the second Arab country to open diplomatic ties with the Jewish state after Egypt, which signed a treaty with Israel in 1979.

A party of Jordanian schoolchildren were to go to Israel today to attend celebrations in Haifa, becoming the first group of Jordanians to formally enter Israel since Nov. 14, when both countries opened the way for visits, border officials said.

Hundreds of Israeli tourists have flocked to Jordan in the past two weeks.

The joint statement said that both countries hope the move will promote comprehensive peace, development and cooperation. They will now formally exchange letters nominating ambassadors.

King Hussein personally chose Marwan Muasher, 38, Jordan’s former Middle East peace team spokesman and an affluent U.S.-educated computer entrepreneur, as Jordan’s first envoy to Israel.

Jordan’s Cabinet appointed Muasher, a Christian non-career diplomat, as ambassador and is expected to send his papers to Israel soon.

Israel has yet to name an envoy to Jordan.

A Jordanian delegation from the Foreign Ministry will visit Israel Thursday to choose a site for the embassy and homes for diplomats.

Given the short time until Dec. 10, Jordanian officials have not ruled out the possibility that the two sides might rent hotel suites in Amman and Tel Aviv as temporary embassies and staff housing, creating security headaches in both countries.

Each mission will have at least four diplomats and more than 10 locally hired staff members.