Jordan Times
Monday, March 27, 2006
King reviews regional
developments with US delegation
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday said holding a conference
for Iraq's religious leaders in Amman is meant as a contribution on the part of
Jordan to bring an end to the deteriorating security situation in the country,
where Iraqi people are paying the price.
At a meeting with a delegation of US senators, representatives and governors
yesterday, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, the Monarch said Jordan is
continuing cooperation with Arab countries and Iraq's other neighbours to help
the country overcome the difficult situation.
He told the delegates, headed by Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), that the
solution to what is going on in Iraq should come from within the country itself,
when its people and various political forces reach national consensus.
On the Mideast peace process, King Abdullah said peace relies on the outcome of
the Tuesday's polls in Israel and the Hamas government programme.
He urged all parties concerned with the conflict to shoulder their
responsibilities and jointly work for the resumption of peace talks between the
Palestinians and the Israelis, as the only way to achieve a permanent peace in
the region.
The delegation included Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin), Senator John Thune
(R-South Dakota), Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Illinois), Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-Michigan),
Rep. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Governor Bob
Riley of Alabama and Utah's Governor John Huntsman.
King receives Circassian, Chechen notables
Also on Sunday, the King called for a comprehensive study to set up development
funds that help fight poverty and unemployment in the country's various
districts.
At a meeting with notables representing the Circassian and Chechen communities
in Jordan, part of a series of meeting with community leaders, the King said the
proposed funds should be designed after the King Abdullah Fund for the
Development of Badia.
These organisations, he said, should work in parallel with government programmes
to combat poverty and unemployment and take into consideration the actual needs
of residents in the areas targeted by their services.
Meanwhile, the King reiterated the need to provide the younger generation with
education opportunities that prepare them to meet the requirements of the future
labour market.
“What we want from you,” the King told the key figures, “is to suggest
mechanisms and programmes in collaboration with the Royal Hashemite Court and
the government, which are aimed at alleviating poverty and creating jobs.”
Adnan Kalimat, head of the Circassian Tribal Council said a joint Circassian-Chechen
committee was formed to meet with the government and discuss problems faced by
their communities in order to work out solutions for them.
Before the meeting with the King, Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit met with the
delegates and was briefed on their demands.
These focused on better healthcare and education services, the allocation of
more state land for Chechen tribes, further support of youth and sports
activities and improving the living conditions of the poor in their areas.
The premier told the community leaders that the government is working seriously
to implement its development plans, promising to include their demands on the
government's priority list and meet as many of them as possible.