Jordan Times
Sunday, January 31, 2010
‘Jordanian troops will not
replace Israel army in W. Bank’
AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah warned on Friday that the entire world
would pay the price for failure to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The envisioned resolution, he said, should be based on the two-state formula,
which is supported by a majority of Palestinians and Israelis as the only way to
bring about security and peace in the region.
In a conversation during the World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday, the
Monarch rejected talk of Jordan playing a role in the occupied West Bank,
stressing that the Kingdom does not even accept discussing such an idea,
according to a Royal Court statement.
His Majesty added that the only role Jordan will continue to play is to support
the Palestinians to establish their independent state on their national soil.
He emphasised that the Kingdom will not accept to replace the Israeli army in
the West Bank with Jordanian troops, noting that what the Palestinians want is
their right to enjoy their independent state.
Later Friday, the King returned home following a several-day visit that also
took him to Spain.
During the session, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, the King rejected the
so-called “Jordan option”, stressing that it is totally rejected by Jordanians
and Palestinians.
In response to a question, King Abdullah said: "Actually, this is probably the
first time where I am somewhat pessimistic, as we all know that the core issue
in the region is the Israeli-Palestinian issue. And as you said, it’s been going
on for so many decades, so much suffering, so much frustration. And it can only
get worse if we don’t solve the problem."
The session, which was moderated by CNN GPS’ Farid Zakaria, will be aired in
full on Jordan TV after it is broadcast on CNN.
King Abdullah emphasised that if no serious and effective peace talks start in
the next month, then chances to realise peace will largely diminish, warning
that the continuation of the current situation undermines opportunities for
creating an independent and viable Palestinian state.
"So if we don’t get a clear mandate over the next month or so, then I’m not
convinced that we’re going to move the process forward," he said.
During the conversation, His Majesty said US President Barack Obama is committed
to the two-state solution and stressed the need for an effective US role in
resuming negotiations, noting: "I think the credibility of the US is under
question now."
Reiterating that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the core issue in the
region and that resolving it based on the two-state formula is the only way to
attain peace in the Middle East, King Abdullah said that if this issue is
resolved, other pressing issues in the region will be resolved.
Responding to a question, King Abdullah stressed Jordan's rejection of the
military option in dealing with Iran, and called for reaching a diplomatic
solution to the crisis.
Stressing that every country has a right to possess nuclear energy for peaceful
purposes, the King said: "I think there needs to be transparency on nuclear
programmes throughout the region, including Israel.”
Asked about the issue of the "Shiite crescent", His Majesty stressed that what
he previously said was that he was worried about certain members of the Iranian
government using an agenda to create the perception of a Shiite crescent, noting
that what he had warned of was a political strategy that would lead to a
conflict between Sunnis and Shiites.
The Iraq-Iran war first started as a war of territory and then became an issue
of race - Persians against Arabs - "which I think was wrong".
The King also underlined Jordan's support for Iraq's stability and security,
emphasising that he believes in the Iraqis' ability and keenness to overcome
challenges that face their country.
The Monarch expressed hope that the upcoming parliamentary elections would
enhance Iraq's stability and security.
King Abdullah pointed out that the Arab and the Islamic world faces terrorist
groups that seek to distort the genuine image of orthodox Islam and its values.
In response to a question, King Abdullah said: "If we feel that there are some
who attempt to attack Jordan, we will attack them."
In this regard, the King referred to the terrorist attacks that ripped through
three hotels in Amman in 2005, killing over 60 innocent people and injuring over
100 others, stressing Jordan's right to defend its citizens and their security.
His Majesty also underlined Jordan's efforts to clarify the true image of Islam
and stand up to those who want to hijack Islam and its noble values.
King Abdullah stressed his pride in the efforts exerted by the Jordan Armed
Forces and security agencies in protecting Jordan and facing terrorists whom, he
said, have nothing to do with Islam.
In response to a question about Jordan's modernisation process, King Abdullah
said this process is a partnership between him and the citizens and it seeks to
move forward in enhancing democracy, stressing his confidence in citizens'
ability to realise this.
King Abdullah also referred to the upcoming parliamentary elections and to the
decentralisation programme that seeks to increase Jordanians' participation in
deciding their future.
Asked about Jordan's ability to realise remarkable economic achievements over
the past 10 years in spite of the shortage of resources, King Abdullah said what
matters is not to accept "no" as an answer as there are some who always say "no"
or "it does not work", meaning that it is impossible to realise objectives.
King Abdullah stressed that his vision, since the first day he assumed
responsibility, is to realise what is best for Jordan.