SHEIKH HUSSEIN BRIDGE. Israel-Jordan Border. Nov 10: Israel and Jordan inaugurated a new border crossing today, playing songs of peace and releasing white doves, reports AP.
The ceremony at the narrow green bridge over the Jordan River came shortly before King Hussein's planned arrival in Israel, only the second Arab leader to publicly visit-the Jewish state.
Broadcast live on Israel and Jordan, television, the celebration began with a delegation of Jordanian officials led by Transportation Minister Samir Kawwar. Israeli and Jordanian school girls presented bouquets of flowers.
Kawwar said the event marked a turning point after 46 years of war and hostility. "The chapter of our sad past is giving way to a new age of
peace., tranquility and prosperity." he said.
He added that it marked the start to 'real regional cooperation.'
Hussein, who has made many secret trips, planned to exchange ratified copies of the Israel-Jordan peace treaty with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin at the Beit Gavriel cultural center, 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Jerusalem, near the Sea of Galilee.
The . treaty was signed October 26 in the presence of President Clinton at the Arava border crossing, but Hussein stayed on his side of the border and did not enter Israel during that ceremony.
' • The bridge opening came after the Jordanian parliament's upper house ratified the peace treaty despite opposition by some legislators normally loyal to the throne.
Thirty-three of 40 members voted in favour of the treaty Wednesday.. One member quit the session In protest, and six lawmakers were absent.
King Hussein Issued a royal decree endorsing the treaty and making It law. Israels parliament, gave overwhelming approval to the treaty last month.
Bouquets were placed at the entrance to the Sheikh Hussein Bridge along with a black-and-white sign In Hebrew, English and Arabic greeted Cabinet ministers. Journalists and gues’ts with the words: "Blessed be the peacemakers.”
Over a loud speaker, peace , music was played including the ■
Hebrew song 'He Shall Make Peace.'
About 100 blue-and-white Israeli flags fluttered In the breeze at the Israeli' terminal
on the . bridge spanning’the Jordan River.
Rabin and Hussein were not expected to attend the inauguration ceremony.
Three huge black, white, green and red Jordanian flags hung down from a rope tied to street lamps on the Jordanian side of the bridge.
A white banner hung across the bridge proclaimed 'Peace. Shalom. Salaam,' in black letters.
Shiekh Hussein Bridge is the fourth Israeli-Jordanian crossing. The Allenby? Bridge links the West Bank and the PLO-run Jericho area with Jordan while the Arava crossing opened in August serves as a tie between the southern Israeli town bf Eilat with the Aqaba port in Jordan.
The Adam Bridge in the Jordan Valley is for commercial-traffic only.