Jordan Times
Friday, August 19, 2005
King, Putin talk Mideast
issues, war on terror
Russia calls for Iraq conference, troop pullout timetable
SOCHI, Russia (Agencies) — His Majesty King
Abdullah on Thursday met here with Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks on
bilateral ties and developments in the Middle East, including the Palestinian
situation and Iraq.
The two leaders described the Jordan-Russian ties as "solid and dynamically
growing," the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
In remarks to the press following talks in this Black Sea resort, the King said
Jordan seeks better economic relations with Russia and an enhanced role of the
private sector in both countries.
Acknowledging King Abdullah's efforts to spell out the true essence of Islam as
a faith that rejects terrorism, Putin said: "It's inadmissible to allow for any
identification of the great global religion of Islam with terrorism." On the
withdrawal of Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip that began this week, Putin,
quoted by Agence France-Presse, praised Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for
"demonstrating personal courage and consistency in implementing the decision
taken."
He said Russia sees the withdrawal as "just part of the roadmap". "We'll try to
achieve full implementation of the plan," he said.
Russia helped draft the roadmap as a member of the international Quartet.
Putin briefed the King on a phone conversation he had earlier Thursday with
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the Israeli pullout from Gaza.
He told reporters that Russia will continue its support for Middle East peace
process and empower the Palestinians to administer the areas Israel pulls out
from.
On Iraq, Putin called for an international conference on the violence-hit
country by year's end and a timetable for withdrawal of foreign troops, saying
they were considered "occupying forces" by many Iraqis, AFP reported.
"We deem it necessary to work out a schedule for the staged withdrawal of
foreign troops in Iraq," he said.
"Many Iraqis perceive these forces as occupying forces, and this is a reality
that should be taken into account."
The Russian leader added that force alone would not be enough to defeat
international terrorism.
"Our mutual view is that forceful methods will not be enough to eliminate this
evil," Putin said.
The Associated Press quoted Putin as urging "all principal ethnic and religious
groups, and political parties, including leading opposition forces," to take
part in an inter-Iraqi dialogue.
"It's important to develop a broad, interconfessional, intercivilisational
dialogue and so contribute to the resolution of harsh, social problems," he
said.
Earlier Thursday, King Abdullah met with editors of Russian media outlets at the
Itar-Tass news agency and spoke on an array of issues.