Jordan Times
Thursday, August 02, 2007
International conference should set timeframe — King
King Abdullah on Wednesday said the US-proposed international Mideast peace conference should come up with an action plan
and a fixed timetable for implementation.
During a meeting with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the King “stressed the need for a clear timetable and
an action plan to guarantee the success of the conference”, a Royal Court statement said.
The King warned that “wasting more time will have dangerous repercussions on the future of the Palestinian issue.”
The conference, tentatively scheduled for September this year, was proposed recently by US President George W. Bush, who
urged moderate Arab nations to reach out to Israel, back Abbas and join the meeting aimed to jump-start political progress.
During a meeting with Bush last month, the King called on Washington to step up Middle East peace efforts and press Israel
to ease limits on Palestinian movement.
Abbas said in remarks to reporters following the meeting: “We discussed our shared views regarding the international meeting
called for by the US president: How it can be rendered success, its date, who will attend and what issues should be on the
agenda.”
During the meeting, King Abdullah urged intensified efforts to bring the Palestinians and Israelis back to the negotiating
table and revive the peace process, calling for talks to start over final status issues as soon as possible.
The Palestinian president, who arrived in Amman from Moscow, told reporters “what we need from the international community
at the current stage is to support the Palestinian people, their unity and legitimate government, and then to help us reach
a solution that encompasses final status issues,” which include the future of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements in the West
Bank and refugees.
Abbas and his prime minister, Salam Fayyad, were due to meet with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the West Bank on
Thursday.
The King reiterated Jordan’s support “at all levels” to Abbas in his efforts to consolidate national Palestinian
institutions, revitalise the Palestinian economy and ease the harsh living conditions of the Palestinians.
He also acquainted the Palestinian leader with the outcome of his recent visit to Canada and the US, and efforts he exerted
during his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Bush and top administration officials to rally political
and economic support for the Palestinians.
For his part, the Palestinian president briefed the King on his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian
officials.
At a meeting in the Kremlin Monday, President Vladimir Putin told Abbas that he was the legitimate leader of all Palestinians.
“I want to assure you that Russia will support you as the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people. I am convinced that
you will do everything to restore the unity of the Palestinian people,” Putin told Abbas.