Jordan Times
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
King meets Bush today
AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah will meet today with US President George
W. Bush for talks that are expected to focus on the latest Middle East
developments and bilateral ties, a Royal Court statement said.
On Monday, His Majesty warned that failure in the peace process will threaten
the security and stability of the Middle East.
During separate meetings in Washington with representatives of Arab and Muslim
and Jewish organisations, King Abdullah said Israel should be held responsible
for its commitments towards the Palestinians as agreed within the framework of
the peace process and the roadmap.
At the meetings, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania and members of the
Jordanian delegation, the King stressed that Israel's continued use of military
force against Palestinian civilians will not ensure it security.
He said Jordan is working with the US to maintain its peacemaking role.
He urged the American organisations to work diligently to encourage the
administration to sustain its support for the peace process in order to reach a
comprehensive peace agreement that leads to the establishment of an independent
Palestinian state.
He also emphasised the role of Arab and Muslim American organisations in
underscoring the critical humanitarian situation of the Palestinians in Gaza and
the urgent need to assist them.
King Abdullah also urged them to support the Arab Peace Initiative which, he
said, constitutes a framework for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement
to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
The King called on the Jewish American organisations to encourage Israel to
respect its commitments to peace as the only way to ensure a secure and stable
region.
King Abdullah explained that Israel should work towards supporting the
Palestinian Authority and easing the difficult living conditions facing the
Palestinians.
He also discussed the role that Muslim and Jewish American organisations can
play in fostering peace and strengthening bridges of dialogue, understanding,
tolerance and coexistence between the Arab and Muslim worlds and the West.
In a speech he delivered Friday at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School
of Public and International Affairs, the King stressed that the US should be
completely involved in Middle East peace process to influence the course of
discussions, monitor progress and help bridge the gaps to ensure a final
agreement by the end of 2008.
He highlighted the “critical importance of a long-term strategic American
involvement in the development of the Middle East”.
Also Monday, the King met with US Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman and
discussed with him ways to cooperate in the field of energy, especially
alternative sources. King Abdullah said Jordan attaches much importance to
alternative sources, especially in light of the soaring oil prices and the fact
that Jordan possesses no conventional energy resources.
The King said Jordan seeks to produce clean energy from renewable sources such
as the sun and the wind.
In a separate meeting, the Monarch discussed with top executives from the
US-based Overseas Private Investment Corporation the organisation’s plans to
invest in Jordan and hold a conference at the Dead Sea in March.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nader Dahabi acquainted US Treasury Deputy Secretary
Robert Kemmet with economic reforms Jordan has recently taken to reduce budget
deficit and the King’s recent initiative to provide decent housing for the
limited-income segment.
He stressed the importance of increased US assistance to Jordan to empower the
Kingdom to complete its economic correction plan and contribute to security and
stability in the region.