Jordan Times
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Barrier, violence hinder peace talks — King
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday
said Israel's barrier and violence in the Palestinian territories hinder peace
talks, a Royal Court official said.
King Abdullah was reviewing with visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Richard
Armitage efforts to revive the peace process in line with the roadmap, which
envisages an independent Palestinian state by 2005.
Jordan strongly opposes the Israeli controversial barrier and last week welcomed
a world court ruling that the barrier was illegal. Amman said it would study
measures to ensure Israel implements the decision.
The King's talks with Armitage also focused on the situation in neighbouring
Iraq and bilateral ties. Armitage recently told the press that although there
was no timetable for the withdrawal of US and coalition forces from Iraq, any
move depends on Iraqis themselves.
Armitage served as a special emissary to the Kingdom during the 1991 Gulf War.
He was also assistant secretary of defence for international security affairs
from 1983 to 1989. A US embassy statement said his visit was part of a 10-day
tour of South and Central Asia as well as the Middle East.