Jordan Times
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Solution to Palestinian issue must for stability — King
AMMAN (Petra) — King Abdullah on Saturday reiterated that the Middle East will not enjoy peace and stability unless a solution to the Palestinian problem is found — the core regional conflict as far as Arabs and Muslims are concerned.
King Abdullah told Oscar Garschagen of the Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad that there will be no peace unless Israel takes steps to show it is truly willing to make peace. He said Israel has to choose between "fort Israel" and integration in the region.
The interview was made ahead of a three-day official visit to the Netherlands by King Abdullah and Queen Rania.
The Monarch said Hamas, as the party heading the Palestinian government, must also make its moves towards peace, adding that the stalemate in the peace process is a lose-lose situation.
“Israel would lose the chance of making peace with Arabs, and the Palestinians would lose their chance to establish their state.”
On the deteriorating security situation in Iraq, the King warned that the destruction that would be caused by a civil war would be boundless.
Efforts in Iraq should be directed to reconstruction, the King said. He noted the funds allocated for the rebuilding process were being spent on enhancing the security situation.
The coalition forces should leave Iraq when the situation is ripe for Iraqis to run their own affairs, he added.
On domestic issues, King Abdullah reiterated that Jordan was proceeding with its economic development and efforts to alleviate unemployment.
The security and stability Jordan enjoys, the King said, were the result of political and socio-economic reform.
He added that Jordanians feel proud that they have such a stable country.
In another interview with the Dutch NOS Journaal TV, the Monarch said true democracy should “come from within and meet people’s needs and requirements regardless of any external conditions”.
The King renewed his call for a more active role for the youth to build a better future for themselves, noting that 50 per cent of the Middle East population are below 18.
Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot told Jordanian reporters visiting the Netherlands ahead of the scheduled state visit that the international community regards the Kingdom as a key regional player.
“Jordan is like a small island of peace in a very volatile region. It has been so for a long time and has been able to cope with surrounding circumstances quite well,” he said.