Jordan Times
Friday, September 9, 2005
Premier reviews regional
issues with WPO delegation
It is crucial to support the Palestinian Authority's efforts to assert
control over the Gaza Strip and for an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank
AMMAN (Petra) — Prime Minister Adnan Badran on
Thursday highlighted the need to coordinate international efforts to push
forward the Mideast peace process, end the Israeli occupation and establish a
Palestinian state.
At a meeting with a delegation representing the US-based World Presidents'
Organisation (WPO), Badran stressed the significance of helping the Palestinians
and Israelis adopt measures that contribute to building mutual trust, leading to
the establishment of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace with
Israel.
The premier also said that supporting the Palestinian Authority's efforts to
assert control over the Gaza Strip was crucial, and that the Israeli pullout
from Gaza should be followed by a similar withdrawal from the West Bank in
accordance with the roadmap.
On Iraq, Badran told representatives of over 4,000 economic and political
figures that the Kingdom supports the Iraqi government's efforts to build its
security and political institutions.
The premier briefed the delegation on procedures adopted by the government to
improve the investment climate in the Kingdom in terms of laws and legislation,
and incentives like tax exemptions.
The WPO is a global non-profit organisation of more than 4,300 individual
members who are or have been CEOs of major business enterprises. The members
also include diplomats and senior elected and appointed government officials on
international, national, regional and local levels. The delegation's visit is
designed to increase the exchange of cultural and business opportunities between
countries.
Also yesterday, Badran met at the Prime Ministry with participants of El Hassan
Youth Award for 2005. He told them that the programme promotes a societal
culture that abolishes the culture of shame through supporting manual labour, a
culture that His Majesty King Abdullah has always called for.