Jordan Times
Sunday, December 12, 2004
King leaves US for Japan
SAN FRANCISCO, December 12 (Petra) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday
concluded his US trip and headed to Japan.
During three-day visit to Japan, the King will hold talks with Emperor Akihito,
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura on ways
to bolster bilateral relations, particularly in the field of economic
cooperation and investment.
King Abdullah is also expected to meet Japanese parliamentarians, businessmen
and other key figures.
The Jordanian delegation includes Prime Minister Faisal Fayez, Royal Court
Minister Samir Rifai, the King's Adviser Akel Biltaji, Foreign Minister Hani
Mulki, and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Bassem Awadallah.
Earlier, King Abdullah told the World Affairs Council of Northern California and
the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco that Iraqi Sunnis and Shiites should
conserve the sanctity of their country's status as a member of the Arab nation.
Addressing more than 600 political, cultural and media leaders, the King urged
all Iraqis to reject any external interference in their internal affairs and
conduct comprehensive elections that involve all the spectra of the Iraqi
people.
King Abdullah, who also met members of the Jordanian community here and urged
them to invest in the Kingdom, said the emergence of a sovereign, pluralist and
violence-free Iraq that gives its people a bright future is the goal that should
be sought.
On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the King stressed that it is high time for
serious moves towards the two-state solution. He said that both sides are
required to offer compromises.
Meanwhile, the King said Jordan's reform process is witnessing quick and
substantial progress, citing structural changes introduced to boost human
rights, build a political and democratic life and encourage innovation and
partnership with the private sector.