Jordan Times
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
King highlights urgency
of peace efforts
AMMAN (JT) –– His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday discussed bilateral ties with
a senior US official, particularly in the economic field, a Royal Court
statement said.
At a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources
Jacob Lew, His Majesty voiced appreciation for the economic assistance
Washington extends to Jordan.
Lew said yesterday during a meeting with Minister of Planning and International
Cooperation Jaafar Hassan that the US is committed to continue providing the
Kingdom with economic support despite the economic challenges the US government
is facing this year.
He said that the US will mwaintain its economic support to Jordan as stipulated
in the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in 2008.
US assistance to Jordan stood at $660 million in 2009, $360 million of which was
extended for economic aid while the rest was in the form of military assistance.
Also yesterday, the Monarch met with a delegation from the American organisation
J Street, to whom he stressed that peace efforts are going through a “critical
phase” that requires intensive international coordination to end the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict according to the two-state solution.
The King stressed that the two-state formula that leads to the establishment of
an independent Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace and
security is the only way to bring about comprehensive peace in the region.
He warned that reluctance in launching immediate and serious peace negotiations
based on the two-state solution, according to international resolutions
including the Arab Peace Initiative and with a specific time frame, will
jeopardise the opportunity to establish a Palestinian state, adding that it will
bring further tension and violence to the region.
During the meeting with the delegation, which included a number of US Congress
members who are on a regional tour, the Monarch highlighted the important role
of the US in efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, pointing
out US President Barack Obama’s commitment to the peace process.
According to its website, J Street represents Americans, primarily but not
exclusively Jewish, who support Israel and its desire for security, as well as
the right of the Palestinians to a sovereign state of their own. J Street
professes the belief that the security and future of Israel depend on rapidly
achieving a two-state solution and regional comprehensive peace.
The delegation also met with Prime Minister Samir Rifai, who stressed the
importance of relaunching peace talks immediately and briefed them on the
government’s efforts to carry out political, economic and social reforms in the
Kingdom.
Also Monday, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh reiterated Jordan’s stance in support
of efforts to relaunch serious and effective peace talks on the basis of the
two-state solution and within a regional context.
At a separate meeting with Lew, Judeh added that talks should also address final
status issues and realise tangible progress towards an internationally accepted
solution.
He cited King Abdullah’s warning that the chances for peace will fade, leaving
the region on the verge of decades-long conflicts, if serious negotiations do
not start immediately to put an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Judeh stressed that Israel’s unilateral measures in the occupied Palestinian
territories, particularly in East Jerusalem, are illegal, obstruct peace efforts
and should be halted immediately.
For his part, Lew underlined his country’s commitment to bring about peace and
stability in the Middle East based on the two-state solution and the agreed-upon
terms of reference, commending King Abdullah’s continued efforts to achieve
peace.
Discussions also covered the latest developments in the region and the strategic
relationship between the Kingdom and the US, as well as the need to boost
cooperation at all levels to serve the interests of the two countries.