Jordan Times
Thursday, May 4, 2006
King urges more efforts
by Muslim states to push for Mideast peace
Jordan, Indonesia appeal for aid to Palestinians
AMMAN (JT) — King Abdullah on Wednesday said the Middle East was at a critical
stage that requires more efforts by Muslim countries to help revive the
Palestinian-Israeli peace process.
The King told Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at a meeting that
peace should be achieved between the two sides in line with a two-state
solution: A viable and independent Palestinian state, which lives in peace and
security next to Israel.
The Monarch said the international community should continue its support for the
Palestinians, who have been plunged into financial crisis by the suspension of
EU and US aid to the Hamas-led government.
French President Jacques Chirac wrote Wednesday to leaders of Israel and the
Middle East peace Quartet to back the creation of a World Bank account to
channel aid to the Palestinians, according to Agence France-Presse. Warning that
a swift decision was needed to avoid “serious destabilisation” in the
Palestinian territories, Chirac said it was essential for the Quartet members —
the UN, EU, US and Russia — to reach an agreement on the fund at their next
meeting on May 9. Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are to take part in the
meeting.
Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib told reporters at a joint presser with his
Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirajuda that Amman and Jakarta agreed during
talks on the importance of pursuing economic and financial aid to the
Palestinians.
“We will urge the international community to intervene directly and immediately
in order to revive the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians because
it is the only way to end the crisis,” Khatib said.
Wirajuda told the press that Yudhoyono would make contacts with Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas and “other parties to discuss means of cooperation” and
reviving the peace process.
Indonesia, the world’s biggest Muslim nation, does not recognise Israel but has
considerable weight among Muslim states owing to its population of 220 million.
During their meeting, King Abdullah and Yudhoyono discussed means to bolster
bilateral ties. The Monarch said Jordan was keen on enhancing cooperation with
Indonesia, and Yudhoyono said his country looked at the Kingdom as a gate into
the Middle East.
The two leaders agreed to increase the volume of trade, particulary Jordan’s
exports of potash and phosphates to Indonesia — which declined last year,
according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
Urging the private sectors of both countries to go into joint ventures, the two
sides agreed to swap economic delegations to explore investment opportunities
and establish a joint business council tasked with maximising cooperation.
Jordan last year imported goods worth $146 million from Indonesia, while its
exports stood at $13.4 million. According to Wirajuda the volume of trade
between the two countries fell last year from $320 million to $160 million.
The two countries also said they planned to activate a 1989 cultural and
scientific cooperation agreement.
The leaders also discussed the situation in Iraq as well as the means for the
Organisation of the Islamic Conference to “face up to the challenges facing the
Muslim world,” Petra said.
The Indonesian president arrived in Jordan late Tuesday, wrapping up a 10-day
tour that has taken him to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab
Emirates.