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GV EXTERIOR: Foreign Ministry in Amman (2 shots)
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SV: Envoy Robert Stanfield meeting with Foreign Affairs minister Mr. Hassan Ibrahim (on right)
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GV: Stanfield and others seated PAN TO Ibrahim.
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CU: Ibrahim PAN TO Stanfield PULL BACK Stanfield and Ibrahim talking.
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Initials RH/



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Canadian Government has delayed its plans to shift the Canadian Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The plan was first proposed by Prime Minister Joe Clark, during the election campaign that brought him to power, last May. The projected move brought angry Arab reaction. In June, Mr. Clark appointed former Progressive Conservative Party leader Mr Robert Stanfield to study Canada's Middle East relations. Mr. Stanfield began a tour of the Middle East to acquaint himself with the situation there.

SYNOPSIS: Mr. Stanfield arrived in Amman Jordan from Israel and Turkey on Monday (17 September) and went directly to the Foreign Ministry. He began his five day visit by meeting with Jordan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr. Hassan Ibrahim. The two men discussed Middle-East politics and Jordanian Canadian relations. The Minister pointed out dangers arising from Canada's intention to shift its Embassy, which he said could lead to Canada's involvement in Arab-Israeli disputes and add a further complication to settlement negotiations.

Mr Ibrahim said Jerusalem is important as a holy city for Moslems and Christians and should be under Arab sovereignty. He denounced Israeli efforts to change the city's character as a flagrant abuse of international law and United Nations resolutions.

Later, Mr. Stanfield held discussions with King Hussein.