Jordan Times
Monday, November 2, 2009
Jordan, Egypt back Palestinian stand on talks
AMMAN (JT) - Jordan and Egypt emphasised on
Sunday that it is “illogical and unacceptable” to proceed with peace talks while
settlement activities are ongoing, especially in East Jerusalem.
In remarks to the press following a meeting between His Majesty King Abdullah
and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul Gheit
said peace efforts face a “real problem” as Israel keeps evading commitment to
the roadmap peace plan, which calls for the full halt of settlement activities.
The Palestinians on Sunday accused US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of
undermining progress towards Mideast peace talks after she praised Israel for
offering to curb some Jewish settlement construction, the Associated Press
reported.
After meeting Israeli and Palestinian leaders during a visit Saturday, Clinton
called for an unconditional resumption of peace talks and welcomed Israel's
offer for a slowdown in settlement activity. But Palestinians rejected the idea
of resuming talks, reiterating their demand that Israel must first freeze all
construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem - lands
they claim for a future state, according to the news agency.
Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh referred at the joint press conference with his
Egyptian peer to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' meetings with Clinton and
US special envoy for the Middle East George Mitchell, saying it seems that
“there are difficulties” emerging in light of the meetings' outcome.
"We have to support the Palestinian Authority and President Abbas who shows
continued commitment to peacemaking efforts," said Judeh.
In his remarks to the press, Abul Gheit expressed hope that the Palestinians can
receive guarantees from the US on settlement activities, Jerusalem, withdrawing
from the occupied territories and ending the occupation.
In response to a question on guarantees required on the part of the Arabs to
prevent wasting the opportunity to achieve peace, Abul Gheit said the guarantees
should be from the US and the international community, adding that the US should
clearly declare its commitment to implementing what it said at September's UN
General Assembly meeting.
He said it is important to set a time frame for the peace talks as there are
continued “attempts to waste time”.
Abul Gheit said he expects a meeting at the ministerial level to be held soon
for the Arab Follow-up Committee to discuss a report by Abbas on his recent
meetings with the Americans, adding that Egypt, meanwhile, will present a report
on its efforts to realise Palestinian reconciliation.
Judeh called the recent unilateral Israeli measures "unfortunate", referring
especially to East Jerusalem, where recent escalations had the potential to
develop into a real crisis.
The minister said the unilateral Israeli measures are rejected in principle,
especially when it comes to Jerusalem, in addition to settlement activities,
evictions and excavation work.
Echoing remarks made by the King, Judeh said Jerusalem is a red line and should
be the symbol of peace for followers of the three monotheistic religions.
In their talks in Cairo yesterday, King Abdullah and Mubarak urged better Arab
coordination at “this critical stage” to unify their position on the current
challenges in the region and efforts to attain a comprehensive and just peace.
The King returned home later in the day.
At the meeting, the two leaders also underlined the need for intensified efforts
by the international community to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by
launching serious negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis as soon as
possible.
The negotiations, they reiterated, should be based on the two-state solution and
the relevant terms of reference, especially the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
The two leaders also discussed the “disastrous consequences” that would befall
the region's security and stability if the opportunity to realise peace is
wasted.
King Abdullah and Mubarak underlined the need to immediately halt unilateral
Israeli measures that threaten efforts to make peace, especially settlement
activities and measures that jeopardise the identity of Jerusalem and the holy
sites in the city.
During the talks, which continued over a lunch banquet, they emphasised their
interest in continued consultation and coordination on issues of mutual concern,
stressing keenness to foster bilateral cooperation in various fields, a Royal
Court statement said.
In this regard, they stressed the importance of the meetings of the Joint
Jordanian-Egyptian Higher Committee that will take place in Cairo in
mid-November, co-chaired by the prime ministers of both countries.