Jordan Times
Thursday, January 3, 2008
King, Abbas discuss peace, Bush visit
AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah on
Wednesday discussed with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas the upcoming visit
to the region by US President George W. Bush.
Abbas said, in remarks to the press after the meeting, that Bush’s visit, due
this month, was on the agenda of his talks with the King, which took place in
Aqaba.
The King said he would intensify his efforts and contacts during the coming few
days to enhance the position of the Palestinians and push forward efforts to
arrive at a lasting solution to issues on the negotiating table, reiterating
Jordan’s support for all efforts exerted to overcome difficulties hampering the
progress of peace negotiations that should lead to the establishment of a
Palestinian state before the end of this year.
During the US-hosted Annapolis peace conference in November, the Palestinians
and Israelis agreed to immediately launch peace talks, and hoped to conclude
negotiations before 2009, in accordance with the roadmap, international
resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
King Abdullah stressed that Israel should stop any unilateral measures that
would undermine the progress of negotiations which deal with final status
issues, mainly putting an end to all settlement activities.
Talks between King Abdullah and the Palestinian president also addressed the
outcome of the conference of donors to assist the Palestinian Authority (PA) in
its efforts to build its own institutions and improve living conditions of the
Palestinian people.
The King urged donors to translate the resolutions of the Paris donors’
conference into facts on the ground and real improvement to the Palestinians’
economic situation and living conditions.
Palestinians in December won a powerful signal of support from scores of Arab
and foreign countries that pledged billions to enhance prospects of an
independent state through reviving the economy and help boost renewed peace
negotiations with Israel. Abbas briefed the Monarch on the progress of
negotiations with the Israelis prior to the upcoming visit of Bush to the
region.
In a statement to Jordan Television following his meeting with the King, Abbas
said talks focused on the results of his recent meeting with Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert and the Palestinians’ expectations from the scheduled visit
of the US president to the region.
Discussions also focused on steps to coordinate the Palestinian-Jordanian stance
regarding the upcoming peace talks, in addition to bilateral issues, Abbas said.
Regarding the PA call on Hamas to resume dialogue, Abbas said his government did
not put any pre-conditions on initiating dialogue, but called on Hamas to end
their “coup” so that conditions would go back to normal.
Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in June after ousting Fateh leaders, a move
that led to the seclusion of the strip and deteriorating living conditions of
residents.
On New Year Eve, Abbas called for dialogue between the two groups, but violence
broke out as Fateh was celebrating its foundation anniversary, resulting in at
least seven fatalities, including civilians.