Jordan Times
Thursday, March 18, 2004
'Terror will prevail unless Palestinian cause solved'
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah warned on Wednesday that terrorism will prevail in the absence of a just solution to the Palestinian cause.“One of the most important sources of terrorism is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If we fail to resolve this problem, terrorism will increase further,” King Abdullah told NTV in Istanbul.
The King and Her Majesty Queen Rania returned home on Wednesday after concluding a two-day visit to Turkey.
King Abdullah Monday met separately with Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for talks on bilateral relations, the Palestinian situation and Iraq. The two countries agreed to boost economic ties, while at the same time called on the international community to help end the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories and revive the peace process.
During the interview, the King said he believes in the potential of Jordanians, particularly the youth, because “they realise what they want in their lives.”
“This is an exceptional feature... We hope that we can do something together for Jordan,” he said.
On Wednesday, King Abdullah met Turkish businesspeople and briefed them on investment opportunities in Jordan and incentives the national economy offers.
He highlighted Jordan's $500 million educational reform plan as well as privatisation, infrastructure and vocational projects to meet labour market demands, and IT developments. The King also underlined the assistance Jordan could offer to investors seeking opportunities in the Iraqi market. He told the meeting that the Jordan-Turkish Business Board would be instrumental in coordinating the efforts of private sectors in both countries.
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Bassem Awadallah, who accompanied the King, gave a detailed presentation on the national economy and its development in the past few years. Also on Wednesday, the King and the Queen visited Istanbul's Misr Carsi, a famous spice souq built in 1664.
They also toured Topkapi Palace, home to Ottoman sultans until the reign of Abdulmecid I. The palace was built by Sultan Mehmet II (the Conqueror) after the fall of Constantinople in the 15th century.