Jordan Times
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
King reiterates support for PA
AMMAN (Petra) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday stressed during a meeting
with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas the need for intensive efforts to build
on the positive opportunity provided by the Annapolis peace meeting.
With apparent Arab and international support for the meeting, the King and Abbas
discussed ways to achieve actual and tangible progress in the peace process.
During a meeting at the Royal Court, Abbas briefed the King on the outcome of
the Annapolis conference and on his talks last week with US President George W.
Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
King Abdullah reiterated that the Annapolis meeting paved the way for the
Palestinians and Israelis to launch serious negotiations, which, he said, should
lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state, and the implementation of a
“two-state” formula.
He also highlighted the importance of continued support from the international
community for the success of upcoming negotiations between the Palestinians and
Israelis in the aftermath of the Annapolis meeting.
The two sides are scheduled to begin negotiations on December 12, hoping to
achieve a final and just settlement to the Palestinian issue before the end of
2008.
King Abdullah reiterated Jordan’s support for the Palestinians.
Stressing that the negotiations should be based on related international
resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, the King pointed out the need to have
follow-up mechanisms to be implemented in accordance with a set timetable.
The two sides also discussed efforts to ensure the success of the Paris donors’
conference, which France is hosting on December 17, in order to provide
necessary aid for the Palestinian Authority (PA) and to help it build national
institutions.
In statements to the press following the meeting, Abbas stressed the importance
of keeping the momentum achieved in Annapolis.
The Palestinian leader pointed out that Saudi Arabia, which he recently visited,
was satisfied with what was achieved at the conference and renewed its support
for the Palestinians.
Commenting on the release of hundreds of imprisoned Palestinians by Israel
yesterday, Abbas said the move was supposed to have taken place ahead of the
Annapolis meeting, but regardless, he considered it as a good step, expressing
hope that other positive steps will follow.
Responding to a question regarding statements by Olmert about a negotiation
timetable, Abbas said Olmert had inferred that a result should be reached prior
to the end of Bush’s term in office, adding that this is a common goal that the
two sides hope to achieve during the coming year.