Jordan's perspective on three key Middle East issues has been given by the country's Information Minister Nasir Judah.

At a news briefing, Judah offered his thoughts on Hamas (Islamic Revolution Movement) members in Jordan, the country's differences with neighbouring Syria, Palestinian hopes in the wake of the Wye agreement, and Iraq's suspension of cooperation with UN weapons inspectors.

The following are excerpts from his comments, quoted in an article published on Tuesday (3rd November) by the Jordanian newspaper `Al-Ray': The government has not prevented Hamas members from criticizing the Wye Plantation accord.

This is incorrect.

We live in a democratic country where the freedom of expression is respected.

There are various groups inside Jordan which criticize the government's policies and officials.

This is the freedom of expression which we welcome and respect.

Anyone has the right to criticize the Wye Plantation agreement, but we will not be a base for launching operations against anybody, for this is against our principles.

We are also against any provocative statements which violate the law or encourage terrorism and violence.

There are Jordanian citizens who belong to Hamas and other factions, politically and ideologically.

For example, there are communist and Ba'th parties in Jordan.

This means that we have political pluralism, according to which everybody is playing the democratic game.

We respect the freedom of expression and criticism within the constraints of law, regulations and the Jordanian Constitution.

"We harbour love and respect for Syria" On the statements by Egyptian President Husni Mubarak on Sunday in which he hoped that all differences between Jordan and Syria would be overcome, and on whether there was a real crisis between the two countries, Judah said: The Egyptian president's remarks in this regard were clear .

Mubarak said: We are talking to Syria and Jordan as brothers.

I hope that all the differences will be removed.

He described this difference as a small problem and that the two countries are solving it.

He said that this issue was discussed during Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Musa's recent visit to Jordan.

During that visit, we asserted that we harbour love and respect for Syria and that our hands are extended and hearts open to any dialogue.

The issue of differences was raised during Amr Musa's visit, as Egypt is eager to improve our relations with Syria.

We value this eagerness and concern.

But we hope that the media campaign against Jordan and every step it takes will ease, as Jordan is currently the target of a fierce campaign.

Palestinian "right to self-determination" On Israel's decision to build 120 housing units in the West Bank Judah said: Jordan is not involved in the negotiations and in the implementation measures of the agreement and we hope that this decision will not hamper the implementation of the agreement.

The important thing is to wait and see how implementation takes place, and this is the stand of the Egyptian brothers who say the Palestinians accepted this agreement.

He said Jordan needs to pursue its role with respect to the implementation of the Wye Plantation agreement and the measures the two parties are required to make under the agreement.

He said that the Palestinians insist on having Jordan use its relations and leverage to help them get their rights under the agreement.

On the possible mention of a confederate Jordanian-Palestinian relationship in the Wye Plantation agreement, Judah said: What interests us now is that the Palestinians regain all their legitimate rights on their national soil.

His Majesty King Husayn said on more than one occasion that we will discuss the issue when we come to it.

The important thing is that the Palestinians secure their right to self-determination, establish their independent state, and achieve sovereignty.

Then we can discuss the other issues.

We believe that the Wye Plantation agreement will help invigorate Jordanian-Palestinian economic and trade relations.

"Time to end" Iraqi suffering On Jordan's position on Iraq's decision to suspend cooperation with the UN inspectors, Judah said: We hope that there will be no escalation from both sides, and that there will be commitment to international legitimacy to get out of the dark tunnel and end the suffering of the Iraqi people in all its forms.

The Iraqi people have suffered a great deal and it is time to end all this by having all parties resort to reason and logic.