Jordan Times
Monday, October 1, 2007
Kingdom renews support for Iraq political process
AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday
renewed Jordan’s support for Iraq’s reconciliation efforts.
At a meeting with Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi, King Abdullah
reiterated Jordan’s call for a full representation of the Iraqi people in the
political process in a manner that would empower them to preserve their unity
and coherence, and bring an end to the turmoil in their country.
Abdul Mahdi told the press after the meeting that Jordan has a “key role in
supporting the political process in Iraq”, saying that such support “helps boost
the morale of Iraqi groups”, with all of which Jordan keeps good ties, without
bias to any component of the Iraqi society.
Talks also covered the issue of Iraqis in Jordan. King Abdullah said Jordan
“puts all its capabilities at the disposal of Iraqi brothers who have found a
safe haven in the Kingdom, away from the ongoing violence in Iraq”.
In the same context, news reports quoted Iraq’s Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari
as saying Iraq would give Jordan $10 million and Syria $15 million to help their
health and education ministries cope with the influx of refugees, and it will
also supply crude oil to both countries.
The King and Abdul Mahdi voiced their keenness on better economic and trade
relations.
The visit by the vice president coincided with the delivery of the first Iraqi
oil shipment to Jordan under an agreement that would end up providing Jordan
with 30 per cent of its daily need of oil.
Abdul Mahdi also met with Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit. The premier stressed
Jordan's keenness to preserve the security and unity of Iraq. He underscored
Jordan's support for efforts seeking a way out of the crisis in Iraq.
The premier stressed that Jordan deals with the representatives of all Iraqi
groups and parties on an equal footing.
Referring to Iraqi oil shipments that started to arrive in the Kingdom as of
Friday, Bakhit said the supplies deliver a message to the world that Iraq is
starting anew and is relaunching economic activities and exports.
Jordan will keep supporting Iraqi endeavours to rebuild infrastructure, Bakhit
said, adding that bilateral cooperation is a strategic goal as far as Jordan is
concerned.
Abdul Mahdi said Iraq has overcome plenty of obstacles, underlining the gradual
improvement in the security and commercial situation in Iraq, which, he said,
would push forward efforts to rebuild a new and unified Iraq.
Also yesterday, Senate President Zeid Rifai met with Abdul Mahdi and discussed
issues of common concern.