Jordan Times
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
King discusses Jordan's
position on regional issues with media leaders
AMMAN (JT) — On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Monday, His Majesty
King Abdullah discussed Jordan's position on regional issues with media leaders
taking part in the international event.
In remarks at the meeting, the King said Israel is to blame for having no “peace
partner” as it claims because it impedes the establishment of strong Palestinian
institutions, including a government and security services.
His Majesty urged unity among the Palestinians, saying that multiple authorities
on the Palestinian scene is costly and hampers Arab and international support.
He renewed Jordan's support for the Palestinians at all levels, particularly in
the political field, citing as example the meeting Amman hosted between
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and US State Secretary Colin Powell this
week.
On Iraq, the King reiterated that Jordan would not send troops to Iraq, saying
that it is not advisable for Iraq's neighbours to take such a move due to the
fact that these countries have interests in the war-torn country. However, he
told the leading journalists, “other Arab countries can do that.”
“This does not mean that we do not want to help the Iraqis,” King Abdullah
stressed, making reference to Jordan's army-run field hospital in Fallujah and
the training of Iraqi army, police and civilian personnel in the Kingdom.
The King expected the transitional period in Iraq, from July to the end of
January 2005, to be a difficult time as a result of the deteriorating security
situation.
He criticised US moves to dismantle the Iraqi army and eliminate former ruling
Baath Party members from the administration in Iraq, saying that such moves
prepared the ground for the extremists to emerge because the decisions left
masses of Iraqis jobless.
The King also went over the letter of assurance US President George W. Bush gave
him earlier this month and proposed Arab reforms. He said he expected next
week's Arab summit to come up with a “strong” declaration on reforms in the
region, to be followed by implementation measures.
Also Monday, during his meeting with a number of the New Asian Leaders (NAL)
community, King Abdullah expressed his support for the efforts exerted by NAL to
strengthen cooperation between the Arab and Asian private sectors in all fields.
The New Asian Leaders expressed their appreciation for the Kingdom's
undertakings in building bridges of cooperation between the group and their Arab
counterparts, citing the Free Trade Agreement, signed on Sunday between the
country and Singapore, as a result of such efforts.
They pointed out to his Majesty's role in supporting the foundation of their
community during the East Asia Economic Summit in Singapore in October last
year, and the last World Economic Forum in Davos.