Petra News Agency
Thursday, March 17, 2005
King meets U.S. Congress
committee leaders
Washington/ March 16/ (Petra)-- His Majesty King Abdullah II Wednesday held
talks with U.S. Congress leaders and heads of committees focusing development of
events in the Middle East and means of further cementing Jordan-U.S. relations
The King talks with Chairman of Appropriations Foreign Aid Subcommittees Jim
Kolbe, Speaker of the House of Representative Denny Hastret, Chairmen of
Congress and House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committees Richard Lugar
and Henry Hyde and other senators outlined Jordan's diligent efforts to
establish peace and stability in the Middle East.
Realizing peace in the region is very essential if endeavors to strengthen
democracy and to implement reform programs are to succeed, King Abdullah said
noting that building just, comprehensive and lasting peace has become much more
possible now than ever before.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is a "man of peace and brave leader who does
not believe in violence," said the King stressing the necessity to back the
Palestinian leadership to help it build Palestinian institutions and improve
Palestinian economy.
Israel's plan to withdraw from Gaza should part of the roadmap implementation,
the King said during the talks which were attended by the delegation
accompanying King Abdullah.
The world community should encourage both the Palestinians and Israelis to abide
by full implementation of the roadmap peace plan, King Abdullah said. All
efforts should center now on backing peace efforts in the region and the
upcoming Arab summit in Algiers will discuss means of reviving the Arab peace
initiative, the King noted.
On the situation in Iraq, King Abdullah said the Iraqi people should be given a
true opportunity to build strong, secure and stable Iraq and chart a better
future for their country.
King Abdullah also outlined Jordan's efforts to move forward in its successful
program designed to achieve reform in various fields. Developing national
economy and improving citizens' lives are top priorities despite the unfavorable
circumstance, said the King who affirmed the importance of the U.S. aid to
Jordan to help it continue its reform plans.
Congress leaders, in their part, highly appreciated King Abdullah's efforts to
build peace and realize prosperity in the region. They also commended Jordan's
economic achievement including the country's efforts to improve its investment
climate. Jordan has become a model in the region in field of reform and
development, they noted.
"When we look at this volatile region, we find Jordan a model for stability and
a supporter of international efforts geared to strengthen peace in the Middle
East," said Kolbe.
President Bush has asked the congress to earmark additional aid to Jordan and
all congress committees are considering an additional aid of $200 million within
the additional aid program, he added.
The U.S. Administration has asked the Congress to allocate $461 million of
economic aid to Jordan in 2006 budget.Congress member Eliana Ross said His
Majesty King Abdullah is very much welcomed in the Capital House as key leader
in the Middle East leading the reform process in a distinctive Jordanian model.
Our meeting with the King centered on the aid that we could offer to our
Jordanian friends and we talked also about the pivotal role of the King to
encourage the Palestinians and Israelis to go ahead in their peace talks, said
Lugar.
The leadership in Jordan and the U.S. are very much interested in the
development process in the region and their efforts will create a better future
for the region, he added. The King's close connections with leaders in the
region supports Jordan's regional role as King Abdullah represents the voice of
wisdom and fairness, Lugar said.
Chairman of the Congress Appropriations Committee Thad Cochran said the
committee's meeting with the King was successful and we are proud of this
meeting to emphasize the continued economic support to Jordan at this important
phase, he said.Jordan has a significant role in the Middle East and President
Bush always supports the aid program to this country, Cochran said.The U.S. 2005
aid to Jordan stood at $456 million to support the country's budget and reform
programs, he added.