Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 8, 1994 TAG: 9408090043
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: JERUSALEM LENGTH: Medium
Along with a new border crossing to be opened today, new water sharing and King Hussein's flight over Israel, the phone links are the latest tangible step in the peace process.
A first attempt to phone the Jordanian leader failed when the call disconnected, but within minutes Weizman greeted Hussein in Arabic: ``Good morning, my dear majesty.''
Hussein answered in English: ``I am very happy indeed to have this opportunity to speak to you. I hope that we will continue to get in touch, and I look forward to seeing you sometime soon.''
Weizman told Hussein, ``You have an open invitation to Jerusalem, within two hours takeoff time, any time.''
The two countries have yet to agree to a formal peace treaty, which may have to wait for a breakthrough in the talks between Israel and Syria. But the small steps are considered crucial for giving the public a sense of momentum in the peace process.
Jordan's more cautious approach was evident. The opening of the phone links was not publicized there, with only a brief announcement of the Hussein-Weizman call hours afterward on the evening news.
The changes are all part of the July 25 pact signed by Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Hussein in Washington, ending the 46-year state of war between the two countries.
In one ice-breaking event, Hussein on Wednesday flew his private jet over the Israeli cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Military and construction workers also have been laboring since last week, blowing up minefields and tearing down barbed-wire fences to create a border crossing just north of the Red Sea resorts of Eilat and Aqaba, Jordan.
by CNB