Jordan Times
Friday, November 9, 2007
‘Annapolis meeting starting
point towards successful peace talks’
LONDON (Petra) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday underscored the need to
use the US-proposed international Mideast peace conference to launch
comprehensive negotiations that could lead to a Palestinian-Israeli agreement on
final status issues and to an independent Palestinian state.
In remarks he made during a visit to the Royal College of Defence Studies, King
Abdullah stressed the centrality of the Palestinian issue, which, he said, is
the core conflict between the Arab and Islamic worlds and Israel.
The Monarch emphasised that finding a just solution to the Palestinian issue
will bring solutions to several problems in the Middle East.
King Abdullah described as a step in the right direction recent remarks by
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on the possibility of genuine progress in the
Palestinian-Israeli negotiations before the end of US President George W. Bush’s
term in office.
During a recent meeting with a US delegation, Olmert described the Mideast peace
conference, to be held in Annapolis, as a very important milestone that could
garner international support for negotiations based on a two-state slution.
King Abdullah highlighted the importance of seriously tackling core problems
related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the near future, particularly
final status issues.
Achieving a fair and comprehensive peace will result in regional development and
stability, he stressed.
Urging the international community to support the Palestinian Authority, the
Monarch said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is currently exerting major
efforts to prepare a clear agenda for the international conference, which
reflects the aspirations of the Palestinians in ending the occupation and
establishing an independent Palestinian state.
On Iraq, the King expressed Jordan’s support for efforts aimed at a successful
national reconciliation process, which, he reiterated, should involve all Iraqis
and highlighted the country’s keenness to preserve Iraq’s unity.
The Monarch also reviewed Jordan’s current developmental programmes targeting
education and enhancing youth participation in the process.
During his visit to the military academy, King Abdullah met with several
Jordanian and Arab students studying there.
The college, established in 1927, is one of the most renowned defence
educational institutions worldwide.