Jordan Times
Sunday, May 8, 2005
'Jordan and Saudi Arabia
support Iraqi efforts to eradicate terrorism'
AMMAN (Petra) His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday held separate talks with
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah on bilateral ties
and regional issues.
During a Raghadan Palace meeting, King Abdullah
and Talabani said that the Jordanian-Iraqi ties were on the right track,
stressing that they were determined to remove obstacles facing such relation.
Reiterating that Amman was keen to enhance relations with Baghdad, the King told
the president that Jordan respects the Iraqis' choice.
We, in Jordan, will not allow any attempt targeting the Iraqi people and their
political leadership, the King emphasised, saying that the Kingdom firmly
stands by Iraq in fighting terrorism.
We are also against all incitement attempts, which are exercised by some on
media, political or religious platforms, against the Iraqi people. The King
noted that Jordan is training Iraqi security personnel and that he ordered the
return of the ambassador to Baghdad as soon as possible after the Iraqi side was
ready to protect the embassy there.
Talabani was accompanied by Ambassador Ata Abdul Wahab, who was returning to
Amman after a six-week absence for consultations.
The two leaders stressed the importance of activating the work of the joint
higher committee to boost cooperation, particularly Jordan's contribution to
rebuilding Iraq. For his part, Talabani said the new Iraqi government was
determined to enhance bilateral relations, adding that his visit to the Kingdom
is to help strengthen the Amman-Baghdad ties.
The Iraqi leader is on his first trip abroad since he was elected in April.
He commended Jordan's stand against terrorism, which is affecting the entire
region, saying that the Iraqi government is fighting terror and needs the
backing of country's neighbours to accomplish its mission.
During his visit Saturday, the Iraqi president visited the Royal tombs and
attended a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Adnan Badran. The two sides held talks
on bilateral relations and expressed willingness to improve them in all fields.
Jordan appreciates Saudi assistance
Meanwhile, the King and Crown Prince Abdullah stressed the need for continuous
consultation between the two countries on bilateral relations and pan-Arab
issues.
King Abdullah said Jordan appreciates Saudi Arabia's assistance over the past
years to support the Kingdom's development and economic programmes.
Prince Abdullah briefed the King on his recent visits to the US and France.
On regional issues, the two leaders reiterated that finding a just solution to
the Palestinian-Israeli conflict would achieve peace and security in the Middle
East and help establish an independent Palestinian state.
They said the roadmap offers a basis for a such solution which, they added,
should guarantee the rights of all sides. The two sides also urged a resumption
of the peace process on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks.
Jordan and Saudi Arabia support the Iraqi people and their efforts to eradicate
terrorism that target the stability and security of their country, the two
leaders agreed.
The King hosted a dinner for Crown Prince Abdullah, who arrived in Jordan as
part of a regional tour that took him to Egypt and Syria.