Jordan censured over direct talks

Jordan has been censured for accepting an invitation to participate in the upcoming direct peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

“Jordan’s participation in the meeting implies giving up the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes,” Jordan’s Trade Unions Council said in a statement on Saturday.

“The government bears complete responsibility for such a decision because it represents a threat to Jordan’s security, stability, unity and future,” the statement added.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II has accepted an invitation to travel to the United States on Wednesday to attend the meeting in Washington.

Acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to discuss the peace process on September 2.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the representative for the Middle East quartet Tony Blair will also be present at the meeting.

The Trade Unions Council represents more than 150,000 members of Jordanian professional societies.