H.E. Dr. Marwan Muasher
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Press
Conference with Dr. Muasher
and US Secretary of State Collin Powell
during visit to Jordan
May 13, 2003
Amman, Jordan
Dr.
Marwan Muasher: Mr. Secretary, let me first begin by welcoming you once
again to Amman and expressing also our sympathies with the victims of the
terrorist act in Saudi Arabia and our condemnation of this act. This will only
strengthen our resolve to keep our efforts at finding a solution to all the
problems of this region.
We had extensive talks with the Secretary yesterday, both on Iraq and on the
Peace Process. And let me say that we believe, in Jordan, that we need to have a
smooth and quick transition to a credible Iraqi government and we talked about
ways and means of doing so in a way that would ensure that an Iraqi government
that is representative of all political factions in Iraq is formed at the
soonest possible time so that once again Iraq will be part of the international
community.
We talked at length about the Peace Process. We believe the time has come for
all parties to accept the road map. The Arab party has done that, the
Palestinians have done that. It is very important to move both on the security
aspect of the problem, and we have expressed our readiness to work with the
United States and with the Palestinians to do that in order to create the proper
conditions for forward movement on the Peace Process. At the same time, we also
believe that Israel has to accept the road map if we are to work within a clear
framework and if we are to implement the president's vision of a two- state
solution in three years.
Let me say that Jordan's position, in particular, in support of the road map
emanates from the road map adopting the Arab Initiative as one of the bases for
a solution and thereby defining the outlines of the end game, adopting a
three-year framework. This is the first international document that adopts a
specific timeframe for the end of the occupation and adopts a monitoring
mechanism to ensure that all the parties are meeting their commitments on time.
This is why Jordan has accepted the road map and this is why we believe these
elements should not be tampered with in the course of the implementation of this
road map. We stand ready to work with the United States in order to make this a
reality and I look forward to very close cooperation with the United States,
with the Palestinians, and with all parties in order to once and for all find a
permanent solution to this conflict. Thank you.
Collin Powell: Thank you very much, Mr. Minister. I join you in
condemning the terrorist attacks that took place in Saudi Arabia overnight. I
will be going from here to Saudi Arabia where I will have a chance to express my
regrets and condolences directly to the leadership of Saudi Arabia. Once again
it reminds us that terrorism is a global phenomenon that we must all fight. I
would like to extend my best wishes to those who were injured for a speedy
recovery and to the families of those who were causalities to give them some
comfort in this time of concern.
The United States will not be deterred from pursuing the interests of peace
around the world in the face of this kind of terrorism. And I once again condemn
them, cowardly individuals who sneak during the night and kill innocent
civilians. We have been concerned about the situation for some time. The United
States had issued advisory warnings to citizens traveling the region and we have
worked with Saudi authorities in recent days to assist them in chasing down
terrorist organizations. As you know, the Saudis have been working very hard on
this matter and last week arrested some and found caches of explosives which
suggested that terrorist organizations were hard at work trying to commit such a
crime. I look to consulting with my Saudi colleagues later this afternoon on how
we can redouble our efforts to go after terrorism in any form that it manifests
itself in the world.
At this time, however, I am very pleased to be here with my colleagues to sign
these two important agreements that underscore the strength and breadth of the
relationship between our two countries. The Bilateral Investment Treaty and
Supplemental Assistance package we signed today are testament to Jordan's real
achievements in economic reform and to the confidence we have in Jordan's
future.
This is a moment of great change and opportunity for the region. As was noted a
moment ago, President Bush has laid out in his speech at the University of South
Carolina last week an ambitious agenda to create new partnerships with the
peoples and governments of the Middle East for a more prosperous, peaceful and
democratic future. Economic reform is a critical component of this agenda and an
area where in many respects Jordan has been a model. I look forward to returning
to Jordan in June to attend the meeting of the World Economic Forum. It is
fitting that Jordan, a true regional leader in economic reform, will host the
World Economic Forum. With Parliamentary elections scheduled for next month as
well, Jordan will demonstrate how political and economic development can
re-enforce one another.
I had the opportunity during my brief visit here to exchange ideas and views
with King Abdullah and Foreign Minister Muasher on two extremely important
challenges. First, a prosperous democratic Iraq, governed by Iraqis. An Iraq
that we are working hard now to stabilize and to rebuild the infrastructure in
that country, infrastructure destroyed after so many years of Saddam Hussein's
regime. We are working hard to help the Iraqis put in place a political system
that will result in democracy, and a country that will be living in peace with
its neighbors.
Second, the United States and Jordan will work to restore hope to Palestinians
and Israelis in a peaceful, secure future. In each of these efforts, Jordan's
role will be crucial. I emphasized President Bush's strong commitment to his
vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and in
security. I reinforced to His Majesty and to my colleague Foreign Minister
Muasher our commitment to the road map aimed at implementing that vision. And I
might, at this moment, congratulate my friend and thank my friend for the hard
work that he put in developing the road map over the past year.
The message I brought is that to move forward, Palestinians will have to move
quickly and decisively against those who cling to the path of violence and
terror to achieve their ends. And at the same, the state of Israel must do its
part to immediately improve the daily lives of Palestinians, to restore hope and
to show respect for the dignity of the Palestinian people. This is the only way
we will create an environment for peace. Both sides moving together to take
those steps that are clear and must be taken if we are to achieve the vision not
only of President Bush in his speech of 24 June last year, but also the vision
that was put forward by the Arab league at its Beirut summit last year as well.
Thank you very much.