Page 8 - ARUBA TODAY

A8 WORLD NEWS
Monday 22 october 2018

Jordan cancels part of peace agreement with Israel

Associated Press regional circumstances is cord as a whole is an im-
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — to protect our interests and portant thing," and called
Jordan's King Abdullah II on do whatever is required for the peace deals with Jor-
Sunday said he has decid- Jordan and the Jordani- dan and Egypt "anchors
ed not to renew parts of his ans." Abdullah did not give of regional stability." He
country's landmark peace a reason for his decision, spoke at a memorial for
treaty with Israel. but he has faced escalat- the late Prime Minister Yit-
Abdullah released a state- ing domestic pressure to zhak Rabin, who signed the
ment that he intends to pull end the lease and return peace deal with Jordan.
out of two annexes from the territories to full Jorda- Israel's former ambassador
the 1994 peace agree- nian control. Last week, to Jordan, Oded Eran, said
ment that allowed Israel demonstrators demanding he was not surprised by Jor-
to lease two small areas, an end to Israeli ownership dan's decision, and said
Baqura and Ghamr, from of the lands marched in there was still time for the
the Jordanians for 25 years. Jordan's capital of Amman two countries to re-negoti-
The leases expire next year, In this Feb. 28, 2018 file photo, Jordan's King Abdullah II arrives last week. ate the agreement. He dis-
and the deadline for re- to attend India Jordan business meeting in New Delhi, India. Israeli Prime Minister Benja- missed the possibility that
newing them is Thursday. Associated Press min Netanyahu said Sun- Jordan might pull out of
The lands were leased to day that "Jordan reserved other parts of the broader
Jewish farmers early last by Israel in 1950. Ghamr, military officers free access the right to receive the terri- peace treaty.
century, but then became near Aqaba in southern to the enclave. tory," but said he expected "For its own interests, the
part of Jordan after the Jordan, was seized in the Abdullah said he informed to enter negotiations with continuation of the adher-
kingdom gained indepen- 1967 Mideast War. Israel of his decision. "We Jordan "about the possibil- ence to the peace treaty
dence in 1946. Under their peace agree- are practicing our full sov- ity of extending the existing is in Jordan's interest as in-
Baqura, in the northern Jor- ment, Jordan agreed to ereignty on our land," he agreement." deed it is in the interest of
dan Valley, was captured grant Israeli farmers and said. "Our priority in these Netanyahu said the "ac- Israel," Eran added.q

Most UK firms to trigger Brexit safety

plans 'by Christmas'

may crash out of the EU in
March without a deal on
the future relationship. That
could see tariffs placed
on British exports, border
checks reinstalled, and re-
strictions imposed travelers
and workers — a poten-
tially toxic combination for
businesses.
"The situation is now urgent,"
said Carolyn Fairbairn, the
CBI's director general. "The
British Prime Minister Theresa May walks off the podium after a
media conference during an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, speed of negotiations is be-
Oct. 18, 2018. ing outpaced by the real-
Associated Press ity firms are facing on the
ground."
By PAN PYLAS Sunday. Discussions between the
Associated Press The Confederation of Brit- two sides have hit an im-
LONDON (AP) — The vast ish Industry said these plans passe largely over how to
majority of British firms are could include cutting jobs, maintain an open border
poised to implement their adjusting supply chains between EU member Ire-
Brexit contingency plans outside the U.K., stockpiling land and Northern Ireland,
by Christmas if there isn't goods and relocating pro- which is part of the United
greater clarity over the duction and services over- Kingdom.
country's exit from the Eu- seas. A summit of EU leaders
ropean Union, a leading The warning comes amid last week failed to yield a
business group warned growing fears that Britain breakthrough. q