Jordan Times
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
King says US' role important
for Mideast peace
WASHINGTON (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday said a peaceful
settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict is the way to achieve security and
stability in the Middle East.
King Abdullah told US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a meeting here that
the US' role is important in pushing the Mideast peace process forward, saying
that Washington should urge the Palestinians and Israelis to fully implement the
roadmap, which envisions a viable and independent Palestinian state that lives
side-by-side with Israel.
The King reiterated the need to seize the opportunity that emerged after the
Sharm El Sheikh summit to end the conflict between the two sides and resume
peace negotiations. He said the Palestinians and Israelis can build on the
accords reached at the summit, which was “a major step towards peace.”
The Monarch also reiterated Jordan's support for the Palestinian leadership in
bolstering its capability to build its institutions, boost security and realise
the Palestinian people's aspirations.
The Arab Peace Initiative and relevant international resolutions can serve as a
feasible basis for a solution to end the conflict, the King told Rice.
On Iraq, the King said the country needs international support to establish
security and stability, preserve unity and build future.
The King and Rice also discussed bilateral relations, thanking the US for its
assistance, which, he said, contributes to the success of development plans in
the Kingdom.
Also Tuesday, the Monarch met with US Senator Edward Kennedy for talks on
Mideast peace efforts and bilateral ties.
Regional developments, meanwhile, topped the agenda of the King's meeting with
representatives of Arab American and Muslim organisations.
The King highlighted such organisations' role in boosting dialogue and
coexistence and building bridges of understanding between the followers of the
various faiths and different cultures. Arab and Muslim Americans, he told the
meeting, can reflect the true image of Islam as a religion of moderation and
tolerance. The King referred to the Amman Message on understanding of true
Islam, which rejects violence and extremism and highlights noble humanitarian
values.
The King reiterated that Jordan was going ahead with political, socio-economic
and administrative reform plans to enhance democratisation, achieve
decentralisation and ensure wider public participation in the decision making
process.
The King stressed that Jordan's national agenda, expected to be drafted in
September, is to contribute to Jordan's modernisation and meet citizens'
aspirations in enjoying a better living.
To achieve regional reforms, the King said, poverty and unemployment should be
addressed.
During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Prime
Ministry Affairs and Government Performance Marwan Muasher reviewed the 10-year
national agenda and the decentralisation plan by dividing the Kingdom into three
regions.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah on Tuesday said economic reform adopted by Jordan in
the past years yielded a 7.5 per cent growth in the 2004 Gross Domestic Product.
During a meeting in Washington yesterday with leaders of multinational companies
in the US, the King said Jordan was opening up to major economic blocs, noting
that the Kingdom signed several key free trade and association agreements with
the US and the EU, while it expanded the qualifying industrial zones.
The King pointed out that the opportunity was available for international firms
to invest in infrastructure projects under the country's privatisation programme
and in industries that export to the US market.
He added that Jordan's strategic location qualifies the Kingdom to be a gateway
to the Middle East, especially neighbouring markets.
Referring to Jordan's educational, legislative, judicial and administrative
reforms, the King said that the Kingdom focused on investments in the field of
education through linking schools and universities to an advanced data network
under a genuine partnership between the public and private sectors. This
partnership seeks to develop human resources, which is the most valuable and
important national asset, the King said, pointing out that the output of human
resources development should be in line with market needs.
The King invited the top executives and board members to participate in the
World Economic Forum, scheduled to be held in May at the Dead Sea.
Also yesterday, the King met with President of the Guardian Industries Glass
Group Russell Ebeid and Vice President of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce
in Detroit Nasser Baidoun. During the meeting, the King discussed prospects for
establishing a glass factory in the south of the Kingdom.