Jordan Times
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Arabs need to set mechanism for activating peace plan — King
AMMAN (Petra) — King Abdullah on Monday said
Arabs should set a mechanism to activate the peace initiative to help end the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
King Abdullah told a group of Palestinian peace activists that they play a
significant role in pushing the peace process forward.
The Monarch warned against expanding more Israeli settlements as well as the
separation barrier, which form an obstacle to the establishment of a Palestinian
state.
He said peace efforts should focus on maintaining political momentum to push the
peace process forward and back the Arab Peace Initiative.
The King said it is important to coordinate efforts of "peace teams" in Jordan
and Palestinian territories, and press Israel on peace.
The King has been pushing for reviving the peace process on the basis of the
2002 Arab Peace Initiative which last month won fresh backing during an Arab
League summit in Saudi Arabia.
King Abdullah is expected to hold talks with Israeli Knesset Speaker Dalia
Yitzik on Thursday in Amman. Yitzik will be the top Israeli official to visit
Jordan since Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made a surprise visit to Amman
at King’s invitation last December.
Separately, the Monarch is expected to meet Israeli and US peace activists.