TRIPOLI, Nov 18 (AFP) Libyan leader Moamar Kadhafi met here Saturday with
 Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abu Ragheb to discuss cooperation between their two countries,
 the official JANA news agency reported.

 In a separate meeting, Kadhafi had talks with Massud Barzani, leader of one of northern Iraq's
 Kurdish parties, JANA said.

 Abu Ragheb, who brought with him a message from Jordanian King Abdullah II, reviewed with
 Kadhafi the financial and technical assistance Libya is providing Jordan to increase its now
 meagre water supplies.

 Jordan hopes Libya will use its know-how in pumping water from its own harsh desert and help
 in setting up a similar project.

 The scheme aims at pumping water from the ancient Disi aquifer in southern Jordan to Amman,
 more than 300 kilometers (185 miles) to the north, providing it with 100 million cubic meters (3.5
 billion cubic feet) annually.

 The project includes digging 82 wells, as well as two main water pumping stations, for a total
 estimated cost of 650 million dollars.

 For his part, Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), briefed Kadhafi on
 developments in the Kurdish territories and congratulated the Libyan leader on his "support for
 the Kurdish people," JANA said.

 Control over Northern Iraq, which has been outside Baghdad's control since the end of the 1991
 Gulf War, is shared by the KDP and by its arch-rival, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan of Jalal
 Talabani.
*****************
Greek police arrest two smugglers, 62 illegal Kurd immigrants

 ATHENS, Nov 18 (AFP) - Port authorities in Laurion near Athens on Saturday arrested
 two smugglers and their cargo of 62 Kurdish illegal immigrants, the Greek shipping ministry
 said.

 The two smugglers, a Greek and Syrian, were arrested near a small fishing port. They had
 picked up the Kurds, including four women and four children, from the Turkish coast.

 Both smugglers and the immigrants were to appear before a magistrate later in the day.

 Greek port authorities have arrested 3,777 illegal immigrants and 147 smugglers since the start
 of the year, with 45 ships being seized, the ministry said.
*******************
The Kurdistan Observer
www.kurdistanobserver.com

Click Back In Your Browser To Return To News Headlines