Excerpts: Jordan and EU, Syrian troops deployed in Lebanon.Home-grown Saudi
terrorists 30 June 2008
+++JORDAN TIMES 30 June '08:"EU, Jordan to promote idea of true regional
partnership"
QUOTE:"Kingdom encouraged to take the initiative to push forward the
European Neighbourhood Policy"
FULL TEXT:
AMMAN (JT) - Senior officials from the European Commission and the Jordanian
government have agreed to promote the idea of a true regional partnership
where the Kingdom is encouraged to take the initiative to push forward the
European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).
During the 6th meeting of the EU-Jordan Association Committee in Amman last
week, officials engaged in a political dialogue on regional issues and
national development, according to an EU statement.
The debate focused on the regional political situation in light of
Israel-Palestine negotiations, Israel-Syria talks and the recent
breakthrough in Lebanon.
Discussions also covered topics such as macroeconomic conditions and
bilateral EU-Jordan trade relations, cooperation in the sectors of energy,
environment, and science and technology, according to the statement.
The meeting was co-chaired by Planning Ministry Secretary General Nasser
Shraideh and European Commission Director for the South Mediterranean and
Middle East Toms Dupl del Moral.
+++THE DAILY STAR(Lebanon) 30 June '08
Syria put troops in Lebanon ahead of Israeli drill - report
QUOTE: " not 'conduits for weaponry' smuggled
from Syria to Hizbullah"
EXCERPTS:...The report, published in Jane's Defense Weekly earlier this
month, said that images obtained through DigitalGlobe show Syrian troops
being deployed in the remote and rugged hills north of the Lebanese town of
Rashaya al-Wadi. The report added that these maneuvers took place just
before Israel was due to hold a five-day nationwide response drill in early
April.
According to the report, entitled "Middle ground: Lebanon plays buffer as
Syria and Israel simmer," the Syrian bases are "aimed solely at creating a
defensive line in the event of an Israeli military advance and are not
conduits for weaponry" smuggled from Syria to Hizbullah.
Syria's reinforcement of troops ahead of the Israeli drill suggests a deep
mistrust between the two states, despite recent peace overtures, according
to Jane's.
. . .The "little-known presence of Syrian troops in Lebanon demonstrates
that, despite the peace talks between the two sides confirmed in
simultaneous announcements in Syria and Israel on 21 May 2008, mutual
mistrust continues to characterize regional relationships.
"As a result ... negotiations are likely to be fraught while military
preparedness will remain high," it said. -
+++ARAB NEWS (Saudi) 30 June:"90% of terror suspects were Saudis: Naif"P.K.
Abdul Ghafour
QUOTE:"90 percent of people arrested ...were Saudis"
EXCERPTS:
JEDDAH: Around 90 percent of people arrested by security forces in recent
anti-terror sweeps across the Kingdom were Saudis plotting to attack oil
facilities and other vital economic installations, Interior Minister Prince
Naif said in remarks published yesterday.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Prince Naif said the international
community must cooperate to stop terror funding. "If they fail to dry up
their financial sources, terrorism will prevail," he added.. . .
Prince Naif said there was no evidence to implicate any foreign country for
terrorist activities inside the Kingdom. However, he did not rule out a
foreign role. "We make statements based on facts," he said.. . .
============================
Sue Lerner - Associate, IMRA