Jordan Times
Thursday, March 6, 2008
King talks region, ties with
Cheney, Congress leaders
AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday held talks in Washington, DC
with Vice President Dick Cheney and congressional leaders that covered regional
developments and bilateral ties.
The King and Cheney discussed means to support the Middle East peace process,
through encouraging the Palestinians and Israelis to resume peace negotiations.
King Abdullah reiterated that negotiations were the only means to settle
differences between the parties to the conflict.
In order for the peace process to succeed, it is essential to extend bridges of
confidence between the conflicting sides, he told the vice president.
The King said real progress needs to be achieved on the ground for the process
to yield fruit, stressing the importance of supporting the Palestinian Authority
to carry out its mission to improve the life of the Palestinian people.
King Abdullah emphasised that the use of military force against the Palestinians
will not help foster the region’s security and stability.
The Monarch and the vice president also discussed US assistance to Jordan.
Commending the King’s efforts to achieve regional peace and stability, Cheney
reiterated his country’s commitment to achieving peace through the two-state
solution.
Also Wednesday, Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania held separate
meetings with US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and Chairman of
the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Howard Berman
(D-California), along with other panel members.
During the two meetings, King Abdullah addressed aspects of cooperation between
Jordan and the US, particularly in the economic field.
King Abdullah underlined the importance of US assistance to Jordan’s economy,
which is suffering from the fallout of the increase in international oil prices.
The Monarch reiterated his call for more US engagement in the peace process,
which he described as the core issue for regional security and stability, noting
the need to build on what has been achieved at the Annapolis peace meeting in
November last year.
The King cautioned against the repercussions that the failure of the peace
process might have on the region, stressing there should be an end to all acts
of aggression taking place in Gaza and the importance of going back to the
negotiating table to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.
Talks also addressed the situation in Iraq and the efforts which regional
countries can play to foster its security and stability.
During a White House meeting with President George W. Bush Tuesday, the King
said Israeli policies of siege and use of military force would only deepen the
conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and threaten to waste years of
negotiations for peace.