Jordan Times
Sunday, May 23, 2004
"1. Regarding the Palestinian issue, it is essential to stress our commitment to the Arab peace initiative, which laid the right foundations for a peaceful, just and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. This solution calls for Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands, the establishment of a Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil, and a fair agreed solution to the refugee problem based upon UN Resolution 194, in return for collective security guarantees by all Arab states in the region to Israel, signing of a peace treaty, and normalisation of relations between all Arab countries and Israel. Accordingly, we must stress the need for Israel to declare its unconditional commitment to the roadmap, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, as stated in the stipulations of the third phase of the roadmap.
2. To provide a suitable climate for the continuation of an earnest peace process, a lasting and comprehensive truce should be achieved on the Palestinian front.
All operations targeting civilians from both sides should cease. This demands taking the necessary measures to support the Palestinian Authority and enable it to control security conditions; it also demands creating the appropriate conditions to begin full implementation of the roadmap. It is imperative to build upon the latest American assurances stating that the results of final status issues will only be determined by the concerned parties themselves, and will not be prejudiced by the United States.
3. As for Iraq, an initiated Arab stance to assist the Iraqi people should be taken immediately, and without waiting for the occupation to end. Such an initiated stance would accelerate the end of the occupation, and will contribute to rebuilding Iraq and reconstructing its security capabilities, in such a way to safeguard its security and stability. The Jordanian role in training Iraqi police and army is a contribution to this end.
4. It is our view that any political process to shape the form of future governance in Iraq, whilst keeping away from interfering in Iraq's internal affairs, should refrain from all that may lead to dividing Iraq or threatening the integrity of its lands, which will be in contradiction to international consensus over such unity. We affirm our welcome for the increasing UN role in Iraq, and the necessity for its supervision of the upcoming Iraqi elections.
5. We in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan believe that the time has come for a self-initiated Arab initiative that emerges from within the Arab world, and through which the following are agreed upon; the basic principles of human rights, democracy, public freedoms and women rights; as well as keeping pace with knowledge and scientific advancement, trade liberalisation in general, and the strengthening of Arab inter-commerce opportunities. If we do not undertake such self initiatives, we may find ourselves in this region faced with externally imposed initiatives. We believe that any initiative on the political and economic fronts in this region should take into consideration the Arab-Israeli conflict, which continues to constitute the prime concern for the Arab nation.
6. We call upon our Arab brethren leaders, to agree on a general system that formulates the general framework for a process of modernisation, and political and economic reform, taking into consideration that the pace of implementation should be based upon the special circumstances of each Arab country.
7. We value and support the "Pledge Document" launched by Prince Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz, to develop unified Arab action.