Jordan Times
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Multilateralism needed — King
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday expressed full support for the
strategy of multilateralism raised by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and
French President Jacques Chirac at their summit in London last week.
Addressing the Foreign Press Association in London at its Media Awards 2004
ceremony, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, King Abdullah said: “I suggest we
need multilateralism in its purest form: Practical action on every side —
involving every nation, every sphere of society and every skill we have.”
Saying that collective international efforts are needed to end regional
conflict; to unite against terror; and to heal economic and cultural divides,
the King stressed that “nowhere is that effort needed more than in the Middle
East.” He pointed to the suffering of people in the region, reminding the
audience that “through the media, they see the amazing promise and possibilities
of our century. And they want to share in those benefits.”
But he also warned that “when such hopes are frustrated, good and hopeful people
— especially young people — can fall prey to apathy or rage. Both responses are
deadly to the future of our region and the world.”
King Abdullah reiterated that the core challenge was to “once and for all,
resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict,” saying that apart from the suffering it has
caused, it is “holding back regional reform and development.”
“And it is causing collateral damage around the world — a crisis of faith in
international justice, that creates breeding grounds for extremist violence,”
the King said.
He reminded them also of the Arab countries' commitment to the two-state
solution, and to the roadmap endorsed by the G-8 countries.
“Every day of continued violence aids those who seek to prevent the
establishment of an independent Palestinian state,” the King said.
“It's time to move forward. The passing of Yasser Arafat has wakened global
attention and opened a new chapter in the peace process. I have urged the
international community, especially the United States, to recommit to bold new
progress.”
In the wake of Arafat's death, US President George W. Bush angered Palestinians
when he told reporters after meeting Blair in Washington that he “would like to
see” a Palestinian state in four years.
The roadmap, sponsored by the Quartet of the United Nations, the European Union,
Russia and the United States, stipulated the establishment of a Palestinian
state by 2005.
King Abdullah concluded cautioning the media about “terrorism and the tools of
communication.”
“Modern extremism depends heavily on its ability to deliver its message,” King
Abdullah said, advising that “a free and responsible press serves both humanity
and its future when it refuses to be used as a tool — when it refuses to incite
hatred and violence — and when it reaches for the truth of our common humanity.”