Jordan Times
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
'King’s efforts aimed at
establishment of independent Palestinian state’
By Hani Hazaimeh
AMMAN - His Majesty King Abdullah’s ongoing efforts and dialogue with world
leaders are geared towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state
and the realisation of Palestinian rights, Minister of State for Media Affairs
and Communications Nasser Judeh said on Monday.
“The King’s visits and meetings with world leaders seek to achieve the objective
that we all look forward to: To ensure that negotiations between the
Palestinians and Israelis will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian
state,” Judeh said during his monthly press conference, held at the Jordan Press
Association’s new headquarters.
In his remarks at the opening of the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Sharm El
Sheikh on Sunday, King Abdullah said only real peace can give meaning to
“celebrations of independence”.
“We can begin a different future, right now. It starts by lifting the shadow of
catastrophe. Celebrations of independence are hollow while lasting peace is
still denied because of unhealed wrongs,” the King said.
“The real day of celebration will be here, only when Palestinians and Israelis
can both say: I am free. I am safe. The past is behind us,” he added.
Judeh said the Monarch made it clear in the speech that Jordan fully supports
the Palestinians and will spare no political effort to assist in this regard.
Although negotiations are a Palestinian-Israeli affair, Judeh stressed that
several issues in final status talks are linked to the Kingdom’s national
security.
In response to a question regarding the sale of state-owned land, Judeh
reiterated that the government has not signed any deal to sell public
institutions or state properties.
Referring to Prime Minister Nader Dahabi’s meetings with lawmakers earlier this
month, Judeh said the premier assured them that the government will establish a
company, led by the Social Security Corporation, for the development and
regulation of public sector real estate and properties, adding that priority
will be given to local investors.
“Prime Minister Nader Dahabi assured lawmakers during the meeting that the
government will be transparent and will announce any deals or agreements in
detail when this happens,” he told reporters yesterday.
According to Judeh, Dahabi explained to the members of Parliament that the
government is working to ease the country’s public debt through nontraditional
ways which would not place additional burdens on citizens, but rather protect
them during harsh economic times.