Abu-Ghazaleh legal consultant commenting on GAM statement: GAM did not offer to pay the full amount and the final ruling was issued on 27/5/2012

Commenting on the statement issued by the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) on Monday, attorney Mr. Omar Al Atout, in his capacity as the legal advisor to HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, confirmed the inaccuracy of GAM's statement regarding the attempt to approach Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org) with the view of paying the full amount according to the statement of GAM. Meanwhile and regarding GAM's alleged refrain from paying was in waiting for the final ruling; I would like to note that the final ruling was issued on 27/5/2012. Al Atout added that TAG-Org requested GAM several times to pay the due amount according to the recitals of the ruling but without any success. The above is evidenced whether by the official executive notifications issued by the court or the written letters directed to GAM in the same regard by TAG-Org or its legal lawyer. GAM, however, was and still till now refraining to pay.

The legal consultant also confirms that the phone conversation conducted between him and GAM, which the later was notified of the attachment, did not include any proposition by GAM representatives to pay the whole amount at once. The conversations revolved around reaching a settlement, which was unclear and undefined by GAM, while insisting on release of the attachment before the settlement of the whole amount, which violates the best interest of TAG-Org. Nevertheless, GAM is aware that the settlement of the due amount with their legal interests does not require TAG-Org's approval and the deposit of such amount may be done at the court.

He also added that in all cases we welcome GAM's statement if GAM commits to include the settlement of the whole amounts plus legal interests due the plaintiff, which was my client's demand from the beginning.