Jordan Times
Thursday, November 29, 2007
‘Annapolis momentum should be
maintained‘
AMMAN, November 29 (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday described the
Annapolis peace meeting in the US as an essential and serious jump-start towards
ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a Palestinian state by the end of
next year, in accordance with a fixed time frame.
He told visiting US senators Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Ted Stevens
(R-Alaska) that it was important to maintain the momentum brought about by the
international meeting and to keep going to realize a just and permanent peace in
the region on all negotiation tracks. Such a solution, he said, should be based
on relevant international resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the
roadmap.
The Monarch said Jordan will continue its efforts to help the Palestinians and
Israelis overcome obstacles in the way to reach just resolutions to final status
issues and, subsequently, the creation of an independent Palestinian state on
Palestinian national soil in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Discussions also covered the situation in Iraq and efforts exerted to restore
security and stability in this Arab country, which the two senators have visited
recently.
On bilateral ties, King Abdullah voiced appreciation for US support to the
Kingdom and assistance which, he said, helps Jordan implement several economic
and development plans.
The two senators said they appreciated the King's major role in bringing about
peace and stability to the region.
Royal Court Chief Bassem Awadallah and US Ambassador in Amman David Hale
attended the meeting.
Also Wednesday, King Abdullah received Haj Ahmed Al Gaily, chairman of the
Sudanese armed forces' joint chiefs-of-staff, who was on a visit to the Kingdom.
During the meeting, attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff General
Khaled Sarayreh, both sides discussed fields of cooperation between the two
countries. King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces, paid
a visit to the JAF Headquarters, where he discussed with Sarayreh issues of
concern to the military.