Jordan Times
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Jordan-US ties remain strategic - US envoy
By Khalid Neimat
AMMAN - Jordan-US relations would not be affected by any change in administrations in Washington as these decades-old ties are “strategic”, US Ambassador David Hale has said.
Hale added that these “strong” relations were cemented by successive US administrations, noting that the Kingdom enjoys support from many US politicians.
In an interview with The Jordan Times and Al Rai, the ambassador stressed his country’s keenness to help Jordan overcome economic challenges facing it.
He also paid tribute to Jordan’s efforts to revive the dormant Mideast peace process.
Throughout the past few years, the Kingdom has been making great diplomatic efforts, led by His Majesty King Abdullah, to restore the Israeli-Palestinian peace process in an attempt to generate a just and comprehensive peace in the region, with the solution of two states living side by side in peace and security, Hale said.
Jordan is an example of a state that is working to accomplish peace and stability in the area, the envoy added.
The US and all parties to the peace process realise Jordan’s interests in issues related to Palestinian refugees, but they know have focus on moving the process forward to discuss all relevant matters, Hale said.
Responding to a question regarding alleged contacts between the US embassy in Amman and leaders of the Islamic Action Front, Hale said: “The IAF is a recognised part of this country. We do not have particular dialogue with the IAF, but certainly we recognise that they have a place in this society.”
In connection to the Kingdom’s recent parliamentary elections, Hale said: “The impression that we gained was a very positive one,” emphasising, in particular, female participation, especially the number of female candidates.
Hale said that the United States also realises the additional economic challenges the Kingdom faces, particularly after the increase in international oil prices. The United States is a major economic supporter to Jordan, he said, noting that “Jordan is a deserving recipient of this support”.
“You can count on a very robust level of assistance for the future,” Hale said, adding that: “It is my responsibility to keep the US administration well informed of the economic challenges that [Jordanians] are facing and will continue facing next year, including the oil prices.”
The United States has provided Jordan with $532 million in economic and military assistance during the year, according to the ambassador.
Stressing that his government recognises the pressure that the “huge number of Iraqis” living in the Kingdom puts on all sectors here, Hale noted that apart from US support to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees budget, which amounted to $200 million in total, including Jordan’s share of $40 million, the US has provided $10 million to Jordan in bilateral assistance, of which $8 million is for education and $2 million for health.
Annapolis
The Annapolis peace meeting, which was held last week, was a very important event because the parties agreed to immediately implement the roadmap, with the international community’s support, and because it set the year 2008 as the year for peace in the region, the US ambassador said.
“They announced their agreement to continue their bilateral talks on a continuous basis, and to work for the outcome of a two-state solution and to work on all the core issues,” Hale said, referring to comments made by the Israeli and Palestinian leaders at the meeting.
In response to a question on the Arab Peace Initiative, the ambassador said: “President Bush mentioned the Arab initiative and said it was positive. People see it as a demonstration of Arab goodwill and reaching out to Israel.”
The US is going to engage in the process, Hale added, noting that the Bush administration will encourage all parties to ensure success after the conference and throughout the entire process.
“There would be immediate implementation of the roadmap,” said Hale. “President Bush is going to be very involved in this process,” he added.
The US government has provided $190 million in economic assistance to Palestinians, in addition to $86 million in assistance at the security level, the ambassador noted.
All participating countries in the Annapolis conference will meet again in Paris this month to discuss ways to support the Palestinian economy and to build their institutions through assistance, he said.
“All of the elements in the world who were trying to support this process will be meeting in Paris this month in order to focus on how to help the Palestinians develop their economy and institutions, so when their state would come, their institutions are ready and able to keep going”, Hale said.
Also, the Quartet on the Middle East peace would meet this month to reiterate the Annapolis outcome and to push peace in the region forward, Hale said.