Jordan Times
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
US support key to peace - King
AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah and French President Nicolas Sarkozy on
Monday reviewed bilateral relations and the latest regional developments over a
telephone call on Monday.
Meanwhile, the King has said that the continued Palestinian-Israeli conflict
poses a serious problem whose solution largely depends on US support.
He stressed that the coming stage is crucial in the history of the Palestinian
issue.
In an interview with Der Spiegel, conducted ahead of His Majesty’s latest visit
to Germany and published yesterday in its weekly issue, the King noted that 2008
is the election year in the US and any new president will need a long time to
deal effectively with the issue.
Asked on his expectations regarding the upcoming international peace meeting in
Annapolis, the King said the leaks about the gathering are still in general
terms, explaining that if vagueness continues to surround the US-proposed
meeting, there are fears of surprises that would emerge later.
At the local level, the King stressed the importance of strengthening the middle
class through socio-economic reforms that would enable society to face up to
current challenges, especially those brought about by rising oil prices.
The King said that the success of the democratic experience hinges on a solid
middle class as this would prevent a group of people from manipulating democracy
to serve their own interests and goals.
On Jordan’s plan to start a nuclear programme, the King said soaring oil prices
stand as major economic obstacle and the Kingdom has to move quickly and with
transparency regarding its plans to launch a nuclear energy programme for
peaceful purposes, in coordination with concerned international institutions.