Jordan Times
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Coming 2 years decisive for Palestinian state — King
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah said
the coming two years will be decisive for the establishment of an independent
Palestinian state.
Reiterating Jordan's support for the Palestinians, King Abdullah told a
delegation of the US Council on Foreign Relations, headed by Brent Scowcroft,
that the international community should strongly back the establishment of such
a state.
"Otherwise, more instability, chaos and disturbance will be expected," the King
warned at a meeting.
The Monarch said the Palestinian living conditions should be improved and
President Mahmoud Abbas' efforts to enforce law and order should be supported.
He hoped that the upcoming Palestinian elections would enhance peace prospects.
During the meeting, King Abdullah also discussed with the delegates the Iraqi
issue, the Iranian nuclear programme and the probe into the assassination of
Lebanon's former premier Rafiq Hariri.
He said Jordan supports Iraq in its efforts to regain stability and security and
install a representative government.
He called for reason in dealing with the Iranian and Hariri issues.
At the local level, the King briefed the delegation on reform plans and measures
to enhance foreign investment.
On Tuesday, the group met separately with Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit and
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Suhair Al-Ali.
Bakhit underlined the need to intensify international efforts to back the peace
process in the region, end the Israeli occupation and help establish an
independent Palestinian state.
Al-Ali, meanwhile, focused on the Kingdom's reform plans, stressing that Jordan
made major strides in the economic and political modernisation over the past
years. She referred to several reform programmes implemented by the government
to enhance civil liberties and empower women.