The Palestinian State: Parsing King Abdullah

Last week I suggested the reason Palestine had not yet declared statehood might be the lack of a viable security plan, rather than ineffectual leadership. What does have to be in place before Palestine can declare statehood?

No one in the world is more motivated to achieve peace in Palestine than Jordan’s King Abdullah. What does the King say?

Last week in Canada, King Abdullah made the following statement:

What happens on the ground in the next days and weeks is obviously critical, but the parties do not act in isolation. The international community can and must help shape the strategic direction of events. It begins by keeping the focus on the central objective. And that is a final settlement, which can stop an expansion of violence and clear the way to thriving, stable, civic life.

Days and weeks. This is a change from his remarks to the BBC at the side of the G-11 summit in May:

There is a historic opportunity to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement, and achieve it now, this year, before any more generations suffer, before any more destruction takes place.

Clearly the King is not speaking hypothetically. This is not a leader given to hyperbole or saber-rattling. Jordan’s King is pragmatic, practical. He chooses words carefully. In May he expected a settlement within the year. Now he is talking in terms of days and weeks. In all of my lifetime there has been war in Palestine. I cannot remember anything else; I cannot imagine anything else. But this King, who is both well-educated and savvy to the Arab street, thinks a peace is possible, workable, doable, now, this year, if not sooner.

And why not?

But what about the question of security? Don’t Israeli troops have to withdraw before Palestine can declare Statehood? The obvious from U.S. history is “of course not.” America declared independence long before the last British soldier departed.

But what does Our King say? Ah, he chooses his words so carefully…

There must be a timetable that plans for, and sees to the finish line, the establishment of a Palestinian state. And it must expedite Israel’s implementation of required action, including a withdrawal from the Palestinian territories and an end to occupation.

Is he saying Israel needs to be out of Palestine in order to have peace? No, wait, read it again. It says the establishment of the Palestinian State must “expedite” not “precede” an end to occupation.

And look again at King Abdulla’s remarks to the BBC during the G-11 summit:

If we don’t have a Palestinian state, can we ever have peace between the Arabs and the Israelis?

and the last part of the first statement above:

And that is a final settlement, which can stop an expansion of violence and clear the way to thriving, stable, civic life.

The previous Roadmap called for decreasing violence as a prerequisite for a Palestinian state. The results were not pretty, with each side blaming the other for the latest round of attacks and counterattacks that continually set back the timetable for statehood. Now King Abdullah is saying the opposite: a Palestinian State must come before peace.

What else did the King say in Canada? His vision for the Middle East, which is economic rather than ideological, was vintage Abdullah:

Achieving peace is only the beginning. Peace can only be sustained if the people of our region have the opportunity to lead a productive and satisfying life. For that to be possible, the economies of our region must maximise their potential. There are opportunities for investment in infrastructure, for participation in a growing private sector and for developing markets.

What did the King NOT say? That was said by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whose government was the first to cut off assistance to the Palestinian Authority when Hamas won a majority in the legislature eighteen months ago.

But at the same time though, if I can be frank, I think Canada and others need to do two things vis-a-vis the Palestinian Authority: One is obviously to indicate our support for a moderate government and negotiated solutions, but the other is to impress upon those authorities the necessity for reform and better governance. It is our view that the Palestinian people did not vote for extremism. They voted against problems in governance and those have to be addressed.

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Related posts:

Palestine Independence: Who would provide security?

Remarks by King Abdullah 5-21-07 to Nik Gowing, BBC World, at the side of G11 Economic Forum

The elephant in the room: Is this why Palestine leadership won’t declare independence?

Hamas: forget “Palestine First”

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Palestinian Statehood: the Only Solution to the Middle East Conflict

Clicking on today’s Jordan Times, at the top of the page is a photo of the king with the following caption:

King Abdullah stressed the only solution to the Middle East conflict is the establishment of a Palestinian state (File photo by Yousef Allan)

See?

Text of King Abdullah II remarks to the Aspen Institute in Aspen Colorado 7-21-08

Following is the full text of His Majesty King Abdullah’s speech at the Aspen Institute on Monday: In the name of God, the most Merciful, the Compassionate, My friends, Thank you for that warm welcome, and Lester, my good friend, thank you for that very kind introduction. I have been looking forward to coming to the Aspen Institute for quite some time. I remember the first time we had an event on the schedule - and I almost made it - I had to cancel for a White House meeting. Bill, Lester, Walter, thank you for your help in making it happen today. This institute is highly respected in my region for taking international dialogue seriously and for seeking the very best of American values. It is an honour to follow in the footsteps of the world leaders who have met and spoken here. My friends, Looking at Aspen’s great mountain country, it might be easy for you to think of the Middle East as very far away. In geographical reality, we are separated by 11,000 kilometres - 7,000 miles. In human reality, we are barely separated at all. Americans - perhaps many of you - have family in my region. You have economic partners and academic colleagues, allies in the pursuit of global security and development. My region holds some of your country’s deepest cultural and religious roots. And it holds your future as well. No other region plays so strategic a role in the hopes and possibilities for 21st-century America - economically, politically, culturally. And nowhere else do America’s choices and actions speak so directly about US global leadership. I know that in this election year, Americans are in the midst of a national dialogue about global challenges and US policy, especially in the Middle East. I am often asked what advice I might have for the president who takes office next year. My first advice, of course, is never tell your private advice in a room of 800 people. But the truth is that my concerns about the world and my region are fully public. I see us at a crossroads - a time of danger and challenge, but also, unique opportunities. Peace in the Middle East is achievable and so is the region’s future as a zone of prosperity and stability. This is essential for the peace and progress of our entire world. But to move events in the right direction, our countries must marshal the will to act. And America has a critical role as a partner to its friends and a powerful champion of the goals we share. It is about this partnership that I would like to talk today. I hope you will hear my words as coming from a friend; someone who appreciates the hard work for peace, by this and other US administrations and congresses, and someone who knows the American people and their values and good will. Last year, the Aspen Institute co-sponsored an opinion poll, one that showed that a majority of Americans are concerned about their country’s global image. But time and again, I see the world’s people responding with tremendous approval when they feel traditional American values are at work. The stubborn defence of justice; the equal dignity of every person; fair, vigorous and expanding opportunity; the defence of the underdog; respect for other nations, large and small: These ideals are America’s heritage and must be its promise in the future. In the Middle East, the opportunity is here to make an historic impact: A peace between Arabs and Israelis - one that will ease the human suffering of decades, advance the progress of a strategic region, boost the forces of moderation against extremism, and lay a platform for new levels of cooperation, especially between the Muslim world and the West. No friend of peace can do more to help achieve this breakthrough than the United States. History shows that behind every landmark event in the long peace process, there has been a committed US presence - at Camp David, Madrid, Wye River, Annapolis and more. Now, finishing the job is on the horizon. It is a decisive opportunity to achieve the peace and justice that millions hope for and expect. This year has been an active one for all of us who are working to help the parties achieve a final, comprehensive settlement. In conversations with both sides, I see optimism about the process. But it is a serious concern to me that this year’s results on the ground have not yet met the hopes. I cannot disguise to you the disappointment among Arab people. We see Israel still building settlements in the occupied West Bank; we see walls and roadblocks still dissecting Palestinian communities; we see the Palestinian economy still in shambles. And we see decades-old international resolutions and rulings, ignored with impunity. Such a situation fuels the fire of radical groups, spreading their agendas of conflict and division. Regionally, extremist-driven violence has increased dramatically. The Middle East urgently needs strategic space to deal with these challenges, space that peace at the centre will produce. And the United States has the strongest national interest in helping this happen. If the peace process does not show some wins on the ground, American influence and credibility will be dramatically diminished. And extremist forces will continue their push to move the region away from moderation, away from partnership with the West. On the other hand, achieving an historic breakthrough will send a powerful signal of a different kind. It will tell people, especially the world’s youth, that the US means what it says about justice and partnership - and will go the distance, in a difficult process, to see that right is done. It will tell the global Muslim community that Americans have heard their decades of concern over Palestine. And it will tell our youth that global commitments, backed by America, apply to their rights as well. Let me add that peace needs work on the ground as well as at the negotiating tables. Governments, the private sector, and NGOs are all needed to create the conditions for a sustainable peace and to restore progress toward normal life. I want to take this opportunity to commend the Aspen Institute for its innovative contributions - from the US-Palestinian Partnership, to your Middle East Strategy Group. I especially appreciate your emphasis on practical results. To the people whose lives you change, this institute represents the spirit of America - and more: It represents a win-win partnership between our peoples, creating a better future, a future we share. Partnerships of respect are profoundly important in the work of peace. It’s urgent for friends of my region to support those who are working for positive movement. If the policy is to isolate and pressure extremists, without active support for moderate, legitimate forces, people aren’t going to see conditions get better and the policies lose credibility. In the West Bank, that means action to help the Palestinian National Authority establish security, good governance, and hope - alleviate the roadblocks, get kids back to school, create jobs. In Lebanon, it means standing behind legitimate state sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of issues. In Iraq, it means extending a hand to those who are working together - Sunni, Shia and Kurd - as they improve conditions of life and advance to the next step. Partnerships of respect are also key to global democracy and development. Right now, countries throughout the Middle East are engaged in the reforms needed to help our people prosper and be secure. We share goals and standards with successful countries around the world, including the West. But there can be no outside blueprint for good governance, economic success and social progress. The West has an important role in understanding what we are trying to do and supporting reform. And it is in our friends’ interests as well. The success of reform in the Middle East will strengthen moderation and stability in our region. And it will add new force to the global partnership for coexistence and security in this interlinked world. My friends, Abraham Lincoln described America as a country founded on hope, not for its own people alone, but for all the world, for all time. Independence; the rule of law; acceptance among different faiths and cultures, opportunity for all: These hold the promise of a secure and prosperous world. It is not that American values have gone global. It is that universal values link our peoples in an inseparable web. Here at Aspen and elsewhere, I know the technology gurus have been talking about the Cloud - the emerging data-voice-video network, which is expected to empower us with new choices and possibilities. Perhaps we should also be talking about a Values Cloud - an inseparable, global network of shared aspirations and goals, which can empower vast new opportunities to cooperate and advance. Let it begin between America and the Middle East, and the Muslim world as a whole. I urge Americans to join us in face-to-face dialogue, the kind that can break down misconceptions and help people discover all their common ground. I urge America and its universities and think tanks to keep the doors open to young Arabs eager to work with you. I urge you to work with the countries of my region to forge the tangible progress we seek. And I urge this great nation to marshal the international effort we must have, to create a first and final, historic peace settlement and create a new future for Palestinians and Israelis alike. This is the power of our partnership. Millions of people need us to succeed. Thank you very much. 23 July 2008

Text of Jordan King Abdullah’s remarks at Canadian Foreign Ministry 7-13-07

Following is the full text of His Majesty King Abdullah’s remarks at the Canadian Foreign Ministry’s Lester B. Pearson Building in Ottawa on Friday:Bismillah Al Rahman Al Rahim

Mr Prime Minister,

distinguished guests,

my friends,

Thank you for your warm welcome. It is an honour to be with you today. I am very aware, in this building named for the late Lester Pearson, of Canada’s long and distinguished role as a leader in global affairs and, especially, your many contributions to the future of the Middle East. Jordan’s partnership with Canada was close to the heart of my father, King Hussein, and it remains vital to all of us today. On behalf of my fellow Jordanians, I thank you all.

My friends,

When Canada’s Lester Pearson received the Nobel Peace Prize, he described the challenge facing our world not only as how to bring about a creative peace, but also, how to create a foundation for lasting security. And he understood, in a deep way, that the path forward must include an international community that comes together in consensus and mutual respect.

That was fifty years ago. Today, we are still facing the challenge of peace, security, and global respect. And it is clearer than ever that how we succeed still depends on our ability to come together, understand our shared interests and act as one.

The fact is that in the 21st century world, we share an economic and political destiny, just as much as we share the future of earth’s air and water. And in just the same way, we have a tremendous shared responsibility to work together to preserve what we value and shape the future we want: A future in which our people are safe, economic life can thrive, the heritage we treasure can be passed to our children, and where inclusive, modern, civil societies can flourish all over the globe.

In the case of Canada and Jordan, this shared vision has been the basis of an enduring partnership. Our countries have worked together to promote human security through global policy institutions and on-the-ground activities like mine removal, training Iraqi civil defence forces and much else. We share a commitment to global economic opportunity, especially for the world’s youth. And over many decades, we have been working together in the cause of peace.

One of the most important areas for our shared concern and cooperation is, without a doubt, the Middle East. It is an area where Canada has had a profound impact and, I believe, a vital position of continuing influence and respect. The very name of Ottawa is linked to some of the most pressing global issues — the Ottawa Convention against landmines and of course, the Ottawa Process to bring justice for Palestinian refugees. Where there is division, Canada’s great tradition of pluralism has helped translate across the divides. And where there are seeds of hope, your leadership has helped progress grow.

Today, I come to ask Canada, our friend, to help shape a future of peace and opportunity in the Middle East. It is a challenge, I know, to think about the future at a time of crisis. But at no time is it more necessary.

There have now been 40 years of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land — more than two generations raised in violence and frustration. The last meaningful political process between Palestinians and Israelis was so long ago that there are children in school today who were not even born then. And the potential division of the Palestinian people threatens peace prospects every single day.

These dangers are reality, but not the entire reality. Behind the headlines, millions of people on both sides need and want an end to conflict. Millions of Palestinians are united in their dream of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state. Millions of Israelis look to the day they can live in peace with their neighbours.

This is the seed of a future we must nourish. What happens on the ground in the next days and weeks is obviously critical, but the parties do not act in isolation. The international community can and must help shape the strategic direction of events. It begins by keeping the focus on the central objective. And that is a final settlement, which can stop an expansion of violence and clear the way to thriving, stable, civic life.

Arab leaders have worked intensively to move such a process forward. This March, our countries unanimously renewed the Arab Peace Initiative. It is a historic opportunity for a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement — one that brings an end to conflict, one that provides collective security guarantees for all the countries of the region including Israel, and at long last, one that provides a sovereign, viable and independent Palestine.

My friends,

This is an initiative whose time has come — a time in which we can envision, and create, a new future for my region. To meet that need, our aim must be a political process with a clear direction and outcomes. There must be a timetable that plans for, and sees to the finish line, the establishment of a Palestinian state. And it must expedite Israel’s implementation of required action, including a withdrawal from the Palestinian territories and an end to occupation.

But for all this to happen, the larger international community must be engaged. An urgent first step is support for the Palestinian National Authority, especially in its efforts to alleviate suffering and strengthen national institutions. Palestinian legitimacy must be supported in providing the governance that can fulfill people’s aspirations and needs, earn public confidence and preserve Palestinian unity.

My friends,

Achieving peace is only the beginning. Peace can only be sustained if the people of our region have the opportunity to lead a productive and satisfying life. For that to be possible, the economies of our region must maximise their potential. There are opportunities for investment in infrastructure, for participation in a growing private sector and for developing markets. In Jordan, men, women and youth are all engaged in national advances. The result is a well-defined strategy for development and reform.

Nothing is more important to the future. In my region, out of a total population of 325 million people, more than 60 per cent are 24 or younger. That represents nearly 200 million young people who need and deserve a chance for a productive and rewarding life.

These young men and women of today are truly the crossroads generation. This is a generation who can choose to respect others and reach out in cooperation, who can enrich the future with their talent, creativity and energy, and who can develop our regional economy into a strong global entity. To share in the promise of the 21st century, they need your support.

My friends,

Your great country has long been admired for its deep commitment to global fairness and justice. That leadership has never been needed more than now.

There is no doubt that the situation today is difficult. But we cannot let this stop us from acting. We must be ready to make bold decisions and decisive steps.

I ask Canada, our friend, to help. I ask you to help guide the path of peace in a region that has seen too much conflict, to open the door to prosperity for millions whose potential is yet unmet, and to welcome as a global partner, a region seeking its rightful place in the progress of our world.

Working together, we can achieve what the Middle East needs and the world needs: A future of security for this generation and the generations to come.

Thank you very much.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

 

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Related posts:

Prosperity, stability, a crucial model for other countries: Text of King Abdullah II remarks at opening of Dead Sea G-11 Economic Summit 5-19-07
Transcript of Interview, Jordan’s King Abdullah 4-10-07
The Amman Message: how Jordan understands Islam–text of remarks by King Abdullah II, November 2004
Transcript of interview with Jordan’s King Abdullah May 9, 2007 with Egyptian Al Ahram daily
Remarks by King Abdullah 5-21-07 to Nik Gowing, BBC World, at the side of G11 Economic Forum

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Text of Jordan King Abdullah II interview with JTV 8-31-07

The following interview of Jordan’s King Abdullah II on JTV was published in the Jordan Times 9-2-07. The King reiterates that Jordan is for all Jordanians regardless of political persuasion or tribal affiliation and at the very end clarifies the idea of federation and confederation:

Following is the transcript of His Majesty King Abdullah’s interview with JTV on Friday:

JTV: Your Majesty, in your last interview with JTV, you spoke about holding municipal and legislative elections during this year regardless of the difficult regional situation. Municipal elections were held and now we have parliamentary elections. What does Your Majesty hope for these elections and what do you say to your people in this regard?

King: These good, giving people deserve from us a lot of hard work for their sake, and for a better future for the coming generations. We should continue our efforts to enhance democracy in the country and provide an atmosphere of freedom and openness that enables our citizens to participate in decision-making.

We are committed to holding, this year, fair parliamentary elections, in which all participate, because Jordan is for all citizens, regardless of their political or tribal affiliations.

We hope that elections will return a strong Parliament that will meet the expectations and challenges facing our country.

Neither the security situation nor the most recent dangerous developments in the region will stop our modernisation and development. I have confidence that people are capable of surmounting all of these challenges and of holding parliamentary elections. We are counting on people’s awareness and ability to choose whoever is the best, the most efficient and the most capable of representing them and serving the homeland’s interests.

JTV: Your Majesty, regarding difficult economic conditions, how do you foresee future economic developments in the country?

King: I am personally aware of the citizens’ daily concerns about the difficult economic conditions. These conditions are the result of several domestic and regional factors. We cannot control the regional factors, but preparation and readiness to meet these conditions are better than wasting time in complaining and regretting that such conditions exist.

In order to face up to these conditions, an integrated social safety net must be established that guarantees for Jordanian citizens basic health and comprehensive social services, housing and a decent life for every citizen.

JTV: Your Majesty, what about the long-term or strategic plans which have been made to improve the people’s livelihood?

King: Definitely there are. The aforementioned thoughts are part of the efforts exerted to improve the citizens’ livelihood and economic situation. There are plans and efforts to deal with several economic problems; primary among them is the public debt.

The largest part of our international effort aims to reduce this debt and attract more investment. My recent visit to Kazakhstan and other states could be categorised in this direction. The debt issue was also discussed recently with some major donor states and organisations, primary among them the countries of the G-8. We are encouraging them to buy these debts or exchange them for developmental investments that would contribute to job creation and poverty alleviation.

I discussed this issue with the German chancellor, the French president, the American president and the Canadian prime minister. Soon we will have continuous communications with Japanese officials, including the Japanese prime minister. We hope that all these efforts will lead to a positive outcome and reduce the debt burden.

JTV: Your Majesty, despite achievements and high growth rates, some believe that citizens are shouldering additional burdens. When will people start feeling economic benefits?

King: Any process meant to improve the existing economic situation needs time and understanding by our people of thenature of this process. It needs sincere hard work from the ministers and responsible officials in follow-up and implementation of the economic initiatives that have been launched, and in launching other new initiatives.

Objectively speaking, Jordan has already realised several achievements in the spheres of economic development, growth rates and enhancing market capacity to absorb the labour force. This has happened in spite of regional conditions surrounding us and the increasing price of oil.

On the other hand, future economic plans and projects, a great number of which are still in the implementation phase, aim in the first place, to fairly redistribute development returns to all the Kingdom’s regions. In this context, we established special economic and development zones in different areas, such as Mafraq and Irbid, and, God willing, we will establish such zones in Maan and Azraq. Through these zones we seek to create projects that would employ the workforce in these areas. Industrial cities and zones have also been established in most of the Kingdom’s governorates.

Talking about this matter reminds us of the support to Jordan by the Arab states. We convey our sincere thanks to the leaders of these states, primary among them the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz and the government of Saudi Arabia for their support for Jordan. We appreciate the recent Saudi initiative to contribute to the construction of a new housing city in Zarqa that aims at improving the economic and living conditions of a wide sector of our people.

JTV: Your Majesty, on the peace process, sometimes there is optimism that it is moving forward… and at other moments, developments occur that take the whole process back to square one. How does Your Majesty see the future?

King: In spite of the stumbling of the peace process, and in spite of all the events and recent developments that are taking place in Palestine and Iraq, we are still optimistic regarding the future. We are working to achieve a just and comprehensive peace that provides security and stability to the region.

The American president’s invitation for holding an international peace conference this autumn was the result of Jordan’s numerous efforts with Arab states and other friendly states, especially following the Arab summit held in Riyadh, to put the peace process back on the right track.

We consider this conference, in which Jordan will participate, a positive step towards realising the peace to which we aspire, and we hope that the conference will be a significant opportunity to resolve the core conflict in the region between Israelis and Palestinians, in accordance with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

JTV: Your Majesty, now the Palestinian discord presents another threatening dimension to the peace process. How do you view this situation?

King: Definitely… and our Palestinian brothers should benefit from this opportunity to unify their efforts and stances. The separation of Gaza from the West Bank is unacceptable at both the Palestinian and Arab levels.

When we talk about a Palestinian state, we mean a state that is established on Palestinian lands in Gaza and the West Bank. So we call upon all our Palestinian brothers to let sound judgment and reason prevail, and to unify their ranks to surmount their suffering and realise their legitimate national goals and ambitions.

JTV: Your Majesty, the extremists from both sides try to undermine the progress achieved in the peace process. What can we do to stop these people? And what is specifically required from Israel?

King: We in Jordan are aware of all these attempts that seek to preserve the state of instability in the region. It is regrettable that there are states and other actors that prefer to maintain the status quo. Since the reign of my great grandfather, there have been several initiatives to find a solution to the conflict in Palestine; had the political forces in the Arab-Islamic world and the international community accepted these initiatives, things would not be as they are today.

Regrettably, some people opposed these initiatives - including the 1947 Palestine partition plan which guaranteed the establishment of a Palestinian state.

It is time to translate the efforts that have been exerted into real actions on the ground. It is time for Israel to recognise the rights of the Palestinian people and to realise that if it wants to be recognised by Arab and Islamic states and to have a future in this region, it should act and cooperate for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian land.

JTV: Your Majesty, while there are parties that seek to obstruct the peace process, others are targeting Jordan by bringing up the issues of federation and confederation. What do these people want from Jordan?

King: Confederation with whom? And on what basis? Is it a confederation with the Palestinian people? Or with the PLO? Or with any other Palestinian organisation? I want answers to these questions. I would like also to inquire about the reason for asking this question always at certain moments, especially when the international community has intensified its call on Israel to abide by resolutions of international legitimacy and the establishment of the Palestinian state.

What we all know is that confederation is a relation between two states that enjoy complete independence, sovereignty over territory with clearly defined geographic borders. Our stance on this matter is clear, and we have declared that stance on several occasions, but it appears that some media personalities and some politicians - and it is regrettable to say that a number of them are in Jordan - do not want to listen and instead wish to continue with this suspicious role, fishing in stagnant waters. So any talk about federation or confederation before the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is suspect, unreasonable and intended to stir discord. It is completely unacceptable.

Text of Jordan’s King Abdullah’s remarks to Al Ghad daily July 1, 2007

The following was published in The Jordan Times July 2, 2007. Articles remain online for one week.

Following is the official translation of King Abdullah’s interview with Al Ghad daily, published on Sunday: Al Ghad: Your Majesty participated several days ago in the four-way summit with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Israeli prime minister in Sharm El Sheikh. Has the summit achieved what you hoped it would?King: I would have liked to see more achievements for the Palestinians. The atmosphere of meetings was positive to a certain extent. We had wanted to revive the political process, but regardless of what we do as Arab and Islamic or Western states, without a clear Israeli plan that outlines what it hopes to achieve in the next few months, whatever is done will be ineffective. Unless Israel commits to required procedures to achieve peace, our own efforts will lead nowhere. Our message to Israel, whether before or during the summit, was that they needed to show us their intentions towards the Palestinian people. The peace that everyone aspires to can’t be achieved unless Israel outlines specific timelines from now into the coming months. This comes as we are working internationally to gain support for the Palestinian people and resume negotiations. This has been the thrust of my recent talks with American officials, with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country is EU president and president of the G-8, and with the new British prime minister, Gordon Brown, and this will be the main message of my talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy when I visit France Wednesday, and in Portugal, which will hold the rotating EU presidency next. We do not aspire to just an effective American role but also a powerful European participation, where all eyes will be on the peace process and how to bring back the Palestinians and Israelis to the negotiating table, according to a clear plan. Al Ghad: Is there any way to pressure Israel to convince it of the need to move towards peace, and distance Olmert from his tactical calculations towards practical or actual steps towards peace? King: Don’t forget that there was movement before the summit. There were contacts between Jordan and Egypt, and coordination and cooperation among the moderate Arab states, with the aim of pushing Israel to take real steps towards peace. I went to the quadrilateral summit despite the fact that I was not necessarily convinced that we would achieve everything that we wanted. But our duty is to do whatever we can to support the Palestinians. Over the coming days we will see how Israel moves on issues like prisoner release, releasing Palestinian funds and organising meetings between the two sides. There has to be specific, measurable criteria according to which the world can evaluate Israeli policies towards the peace process. Al Ghad: The latest events in Palestine which led to Hamas asserting control over Gaza and the dissolution of the national unity government have been an unprecedented blow in the history of the Palestinians. To what extent does Your Majesty think it is possible to control the situation and how can it be done? King: We feel sorrow and anger about what has happened. The Palestinian arena is sliding down a dangerous path, and the repercussions of these events threaten the unity of the Palestinian people, who have fought for decades to restore their legitimate rights and establish an independent state on their national soil. We are concerned about the situation in the Palestinian territories, and we are calling for a return to Palestinian legitimacy and for maintaining the unity between the West Bank and Gaza as one entity in order to preserve Palestinian interests. The status quo exposes the Palestinian situation to chaos, which is absolutely unacceptable and weakens the position of Arabs and Palestinians. This situation serves the enemies of the Palestinian people and constrains Palestinian aspirations to end the Israeli occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state. We call on our brothers in Palestine to exercise reason and fix the situation, and urge them not to adopt a policy of imposing the status quo. On-the-ground “victories” that are not of a Palestinian nationalist nature, amid continued occupation, are definitely not in the Palestinian interest. We warn here that the separation of Gaza from the West Bank will have catastrophic consequences for the Palestinians, especially those in Gaza who are exhausted by the siege. Al Ghad: What is the solution, in Your Majesty’s opinion? King: As I mentioned earlier, the Palestinian cause must supersede all other interests. We do not want to give Israel or any other party a pretext to say that the Palestinians are divided and they do not know with whom to negotiate. Continued infighting and the collapse of Palestinian unity exacerbates and sidetracks the problem and will set it back by years. Here, we call for commitment to the legitimacy of the Palestinian National Authority that represents the Palestinian people. There should also be a concerted effort to break the deadlock in the peace process and relaunch real and serious negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel that will result in a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, and move towards a Palestinian state that will provide the Palestinian people with security, freedom and stability. Undoubtedly, the threat to the Palestinian cause is tremendous, and efforts to address it should be rapid and responsible. Those who want to deny justice to the Palestinians should not be given the chance to do so. This can only be done by returning to Palestinian legitimacy and the formulation of a Palestinian position that gives the Palestinians’ friends and supporters the ability to push for a revival of a peace process that will end the injustice. Al Ghad: How concerned is Jordan about the repercussions of the Gaza events? Does Your Majesty fear that these events will affect Jordan? King: We are not concerned about Jordan. Our confidence in our people is tremendous. Jordan has been for years surrounded by regional, sectarian and ethnic conflict and tension. Thank God, our unity and our people’s awareness of the dangers surrounding us has fortified our country against the repercussions of the conflicts surrounding it. Our concern is for the Palestinian people, who alone pay for what is happening in the Palestinian territories in terms of siege, hunger, infighting and loss of hope. In addition to our brotherly position and historic ties to the Palestinians, Jordan has political, strategic and security interests in the establishment of a Palestinian state. Al Ghad: Does Your Majesty think there is a real chance for serious peace negotiations in light of the Israeli government’s weakness, especially now that with events in Gaza, it can negate an independent Palestinian state and push towards the so-called West Bank first, which would give Palestinians their daily rights but close the file of political rights. King: There is no doubt that the situation is difficult. But Israel will not achieve the security it seeks unless it responds to Palestinian political rights. Briefly, the security of Israel is hostage to the security and stability of the Palestinians. That is why we will continue to pressure Israel directly and through the international community to commit it to implementing international resolutions that correspond to the establishment of a Palestinian state as a prerequisite for the region’s stability. It is necessary to end the suffering of the Palestinian people and to improve their living conditions. Nothing but the establishment of a Palestinian state can solve the Arab-Israeli conflict. Slogans have luster, and many people thrive on them. But the reality is that the Palestinians face a solid enemy that works according to programmes and plans. This reality must be dealt with objectively, and we must work on achievement instead of appealing to emotions, which will only lead to even greater harm to the Palestinians. There is Arab consensus on the Arab Peace Initiative, and there is an international position that supports the restoration of Palestinian rights. The Palestinians are obligated to put their house in order so that we may exert more effort to help them. Al Ghad: Does Your Majesty fear a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and is there any way to protect the residents of Gaza from any plans to isolate them and Hamas’ control over Gaza? King: We have done and will continue to do our duty in Jordan towards our people in Gaza, and in our conversations and discussions with international powers, we emphasise the need to help the Palestinian people in Gaza by ensuring the flow of aid and other assistance. There is no difference between Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. All Palestinians are our family, and whoever thinks that he can distinguish among the Palestinian people is plain wrong. The cause is one, the struggle is one. And we will stand by them and for them. Al Ghad: The events in Palestine have revived the issue of confederation with Jordan, or the administrative annexation of the West Bank to Jordan as a way out of the crisis. Despite Jordan’s emphasis that confederation before independence is not an option, there are those who speak of Israeli and American pressure on Jordan to accept this arrangement. King: We’ve grown tired of discussing this issue. Our position is clear and has been made public. No one can do anything to change it. We refuse the notion of confederation or federation. This proposal at this stage is a conspiracy against both Palestine and Jordan. Our position is clear and principled. We cannot accept these solutions, no matter what the pressures are. As for the future relationship with Palestine, it’s premature to discuss it. This will only be done after the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian soil. The Jordanian and Palestinian people will decide the form of this relationship. Jordanians refuse any settlement of the Palestinian issue at their expense. I say clearly that the idea of confederation or federation, or what is called administrative responsibility, is a conspiracy against the Palestinian cause, and Jordan will not involve itself in it. Despite that, and as we have stressed earlier, once the Palestinian decision is sovereign and once a state of law and institutions is established west of the river on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the form of relationship between Jordan and Palestine will be a decision of the people. Everyone knows that the only solution is the establishment of a Palestinian state, and Israel should clarify what it wants. If it wants permanent and lasting peace, it has to move quickly towards that solution. It must explain to the Palestinians, the Arabs and the rest of the world what it wants. We will continue to monitor the situation, and we will not hesitate to confront any plan, whether from Israel or elsewhere, that evades the condition for peace: the establishment of a Palestinian state. We will continue to work, discuss and exert pressure to achieve that. Whoever wants peace should not circumvent its conditions by advancing alternative proposals, such as confederation and federation. Those who want peace should exert every possible effort to reach a two-state solution. Al Ghad: Your Majesty, is this a message to Israel? King: This is a message to Israel and to everyone who tries to solve the issue at the expense of Jordan and the Palestinians. Al Ghad: There are those who accuse Jordan of siding with one party against the other in the Palestinian arena, who argue that Jordan is biased towards President Abbas in his conflict with Hamas. How does Your Majesty respond to these accusations? King: We are biased in favour of the Palestinian right. We deal with the Palestinian Authority and support it with all our might in order that it can achieve its objective to end the injustice on the Palestinians and establish the independent Palestinian state. We deal with governments, not parties. We do not accept, just as no country in the world would accept, that a state establishes ties with a particular party in another state. The PA is Palestinian legitimacy, and we deal with that. And let’s be frank. States that deal with parties are those that want to exploit these parties to advance their own interests and agendas. History is replete with such examples. No state has ever supported a party within that state just because it has beautiful eyes. We have no agenda but to help the Palestinian people restore their rights, and we believe its legitimate institutions represent this nation, and hence we support those institutions and their programmes that seek to achieve independence and dignity for the Palestinian people. Al Ghad: Some voices say that international support for President Abbas may cost him his credibility, because there is a prevailing impression that international support is against Hamas, not necessarily to achieve Palestinian rights. What is the support that Abbas needs? King: Once again let me emphasise that whoever seeks to divide the Palestinian people is exposing this nation to more catastrophe. Despite the existence of states and other actors who would use Palestinian suffering to serve their own agendas, there are many who work in earnest to help the Palestinians. Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and most Arab and Muslim states do not want the Palestinians’ suffering to continue, and many world countries know that there can be no security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East without a solution that delivers justice to the Palestinians. We are aware that the support that President Abbas wants and needs is support to relaunch the peace process and advance it towards a solution that ends the occupation. We realise the causes of the crisis and the conditions for its resolution, and in all our efforts we stress that supporting President Abbas is to support a just cause and the conditions that enable him to serve his people, improve their living conditions and respond to their political rights. Al Ghad: Does Your Majesty expect progress in resolving regional crises in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine, or do you expect tensions to escalate this summer? King: It all depends on what is achieved over the next few months. The problem is that each party fears the other side. That is why we are witnessing an unprecedented state of mobilisation. We will intensify our efforts to alleviate these tensions, but the parties directly concerned are the only ones capable of resolving these conflicts. We support our brothers in Iraq with all our ability to achieve security and stability and to overcome the chaos there. We support Lebanon’s stability and stand by those who seek to preserve the country as a secure and stable country where no one interferes in its affairs. We stand by its legitimate institutions and call on the Lebanese to put the interests of Lebanon and the Lebanese first. Naturally, our message to Israel is to end the occupation and end the suffering of the Palestinian people as the only way to achieve its own security and regional stability. Al Ghad: Does Your Majesty think that regional tensions are partly a result of conflicts between two agendas: one supportive of radical forces and the other supportive of moderate forces? What can moderate forces do to strengthen people’s acceptance of its programmes? King: I will speak here about our programme and will not discuss those of others. The issues are clear for anyone who wants to see them. We want to build a model nation that is capable, secure and democratic; one that opens horizons so that its sons and daughters may achieve. We realise that the security and prosperity of the region are interconnected. Those who believe in the people’s right to freedom and a life of dignity should work to promote the culture of life and confront the powers that promote a culture of violence and intolerance. We believe that economic reform is inevitable and there is no alternative to it, and we will continue our reform programme until the end. Those who undermine people’s intelligence and arrogate to themselves the right as custodians are wrong. Our objective is reform that flows from renaissance and enlightenment. We are confident that with the awareness of our people and their sense of belonging, our project for Jordan’s future will triumph, God willing. Moderate forces in the region are many, and they are making tremendous efforts to entrench our programme, which aims to build a better future for people. Voices of moderation should be raised because they want the best interests of their people and to serve their causes. Moderate states should remain effective and continue to move and coordinate and meet in order to reach their objective of achieving security and prosperity for the region’s peoples. Any regression in the effectiveness in moderate states will be in the interest of those who stoke tension. I assure you that we will remain effective. Al Ghad: What is the fate of the Arab Peace Initiative in light of the escalating conditions in the region, and what are the possibilities of achieving its objectives? King: The initiative, to which the Arab leaders renewed their commitment in Riyadh, aims to revive the peace process and establish a just solution to the Palestinian question and the Arab-Israeli conflict that has gone on for decades now. We worked diligently after the Riyadh summit to revive the initiative and promote it both regionally and internationally. I met with Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli intellectuals and opinion leaders to encourage them to explain the initiative amongst moderate forces in their communities and to emphasise the need to adopt it in order to achieve peace and end the state of conflict. We knew that there would be others who would try to derail this initiative and to create circumstances that would obstruct any movement forward. We warned our Palestinian brothers about the dangers of internal strife and division and the ramifications this would have on our ability to find a permanent peace settlement and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. We are determined, in spite of the critical conditions, to achieve a breakthrough in the peace process that will restore to its owners their rights and spare the region an escalation and expansion of conflict. There must be an urgent revision of the Arab position, and intense efforts among all parties to prevent the current deterioration in the Palestinian arena. Al Ghad: How does Your Majesty view Jordanian-Saudi relations, particularly in light of the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Jordan? Has this relationship reached the level to which you aspire? King: Thank God, the relationship is strategic, and the trust between the Custodian of the Mosques and I is extremely strong. God willing, the Jordanian-Saudi relationship will be a model for other Arab states. I am extremely comfortable with the quality of our relations. Coordination between moderate Arab states is at its best levels. The visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was successful by all standards. We discussed all problematic files, including the Palestinian issue and the situation in Iraq and Lebanon. Our points of view are similar on all issues, to a large extent. We both oppose regional interference in these issues. Here I would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his honourable and principled stand in support of us. Saudi economic assistance we receive has contributed to the Kingdom’s economic and financial stability, and enabled us to initiate several development projects in different regions of the country. Once again, our relationship with Saudi Arabia is a model for Arab ties. We are confident that this relationship will develop and improve and will be in the service of Arab and Islamic issues. Al Ghad: There are views that say the current elections law will result in a Parliament that is similar to the current legislature. What does Your Majesty think? King: We are constantly striving to foster the democratic process in Jordan. And we continue to aspire to political parties that have clear programmes and policies addressing people’s social, economic and other concerns and that win the admiration and support of the voters and that strengthen democracy, inclusion and pluralism. We anticipate having real and effective party life where parties produce candidates who are elected on the basis of the party’s political programmes. Unfortunately, many parties are still unable to act effectively on the political scene or convince the people of the importance of participating in party work. In the end, we want a Parliament that is strong, and meets the expectations and aspirations of our people and that is able to address the challenges that we face. We count on the awareness of the sons and daughters of our nation to participate in decision-making by electing the person they see as the most capable and appropriate for this phase. Elections will happen this year. I have said from the beginning that there will be municipal and parliamentary elections, and that is what will happen. We want the elections to push Jordan in the right direction. Jordanian citizens are able to distinguish between those who can deliver progress and advance the project of renaissance and those who obstruct it. We want the votes of Jordanians to overcome the challenges the country and the region face. Here, I would like to say to Jordanian youth, I count on them to participate en masse in the elections and give their support to those who can achieve our aspirations which are theirs, and our vision for building Jordan, which is their vision. I meet them regularly and every time I do, they raise my morale. I count on them, and when I sit with them, I am optimistic about Jordan’s future. Jordan’s future requires that words, vision and ideas are translated into tangible actions. Participation in elections is a key step towards translating this vision. Monday, July 2, 2007

Transcript of interview with Jordan’s King Abdullah May 9, 2007 with Egyptian Al Ahram daily

The following is a transcript of an interview with Jordan’s King Abdullah that appeared in the Jordan Times May 10, 2007. Articles remain online for one week.

Talk of confederation, federation before Palestinian state premature — King
AMMAN (JT) — King Abdullah on Wednesday reiterated that any discussion of a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation or federation before the establishment of an independent state is premature.“Our position is unwavering. Any discussion of confederation or federation is premature, and we have no desire to discuss it. The form of the future official Jordanian-Palestinian relationship is something to be decided by both after the establishment of an independent Palestinian state,” the King told the editor of Egypt’s Al Ahram daily Osama Saraya during an interview. The Monarch said efforts should focus now on launching Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations that would “lead to a two-state solution, an independent viable Palestinian state on Palestinian soil living in security and peace side-by-side with Israel”.He said the Arab Peace Initiative is an opportunity to achieve regional peace and end violence and suffering “endured by the people of the Middle East, especially the Palestinians”. “I have said several times, everyone should give serious consideration to this initiative, especially the Israelis, because it reflects the fundamental Arab desire to achieve a peace that will restore legitimate Arab rights and guarantee Israel’s security and stability.”Following is the official translation of the interview:Al Ahram: The last meeting of the Peace Initiative Committee on April 18 tasked Egypt and Jordan with explaining the Arab Peace Initiative internationally and facilitating direct negotiations with Israel. What is Your Majesty’s plan to achieve this objective, and how will you coordinate with the Egyptian leadership in this regard?King: Let me start by pointing out that the Arab Peace Initiative is an opportunity to achieve regional peace and end decades of violence and suffering endured by the people of the Middle East, especially the Palestinians. As I have said several times, everyone should give serious consideration to this initiative, especially the Israelis, because it reflects the fundamental Arab desire to achieve a peace that will restore legitimate Arab rights and guarantee Israel’s security and stability. We have been in constant touch with President Hosni Mubarak and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz, and other Arab leaders to garner support for the initiative, explain its parameters and promote it within the international community, as well as in Israeli society so that they can influence their leadership and their community.It is true that there are substantial challenges and many obstacles to achieving a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, at its core the conflict in Palestine. This remains the Arabs’ primary concern. Here, I should emphasise the importance of exploiting this moment, because the geographical reality on the ground in Palestine — the expansion of settlements and the construction of the barrier — threaten this opportunity. I fear if we do not move quickly, Israel will complete its plans and we will find nothing left to negotiate over. We will continue to coordinate and consult with the Arabs and concerned regional and international parties to ensure that the momentum of the Arab Peace Initiative becomes progress on the ground. Al Ahram: One day after the decision of the committee, you received Israeli Knesset President Dalia Itzik and ten other Knesset members. The Israeli media attributed to you statements saying you planned a visit to Israel next month to address the Knesset, and that you spoke of the possibility of financial compensation to Palestinian refugees rather than the right of return. The reports also quoted you as telling the MKs that “We are in the same boat, and we face the same enemies.” Despite Jordan’s denial of these reports and the angry Palestinian reactions at the time, we would like you to explain the background of these reports and how they were exaggerated, especially that Government Spokesperson Nasser Judeh said that Jordan would take several measures against Haaretz newspaper, which was the first to publish this story. King: These baseless comments were unsurprising. We and the Egyptians are used to such Israeli tactics and I believe effective forces in Israel can pressure the political leaderships and our meetings with Israeli moderates serve that objective. We are also used to occasional statements meant to confuse and undermine our efforts to establish a just solution to the Palestinian issue. This also happened after I addressed the US Congress in March. What surprised me and our people was that some Arab media carried that story without confirming it with Jordanian sources. This will not stop us from playing our role or from continuing our efforts to realise just and comprehensive peace in the region. I would also like to clarify that the refugee issue is an important one for the Palestinian people and for us. Jordan hosts the largest number of Palestinian refugees outside Palestine. Most today have Jordanian citizenship, but this does not negate their right to return and to compensation. Our position on the refugees’ right of return is more solid than anyone’s. The refugee issue is not mine, nor anyone else’s to act on. It is a cause that must be dealt with according to international law. Let me reiterate that the Arab Peace Initiative includes a clause that says that there must be an agreed solution to the refugee issue, according to UN General Assembly Resolution 194. An invitation to visit Israel was extended to me some time ago. If we determine that a visit could achieve progress in the peace process and serve the Palestinian cause, we would consider going. Al Ahram: Lately the subject of confederation between Jordan and Palestine has reemerged. Is there any change in the Jordanian position on the issue? King: Our position is unwavering. Any discussion of confederation or federation is premature, and we have no desire to discuss it. The form of the future official Jordanian-Palestinian relationship is something to be decided by both after the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. What is important now is to launch Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations that lead to a two-state solution; an independent viable Palestinian state on Palestinian soil living in security and peace side-by-side with Israel. Al Ahram: Your Majesty, you stressed to the Knesset president that Israel should not waste the opportunity in the Arab Peace Initiative. You have also emphasised the need for the Palestinians and Israelis to take practical, confidence-building steps. What are the steps that should be taken by each side, in your point of view, and in order of priority? What is your opinion of the view that the Israeli government is too weak to achieve peace with the Arab states, especially since its members are plagued by corruption? King: I am of the conviction that the peace initiative is an historic opportunity that should not be wasted, because everyone will pay the price if it is. The initiative reflects a comprehensive Arab will to end the conflict peacefully and justly. The Israelis and Palestinians should seize this opportunity soon, because the region is in danger. The growing number of players is complicating the situation and threatens to expand the conflict. There is also growing extremism in the region. These developments should spur us towards a comprehensive settlement. Otherwise, the whole region will face a catastrophe that will not be confined to one country. I am afraid we will all regret the lost peace. As for the internal Israeli situation and whether the Israeli government is able to move ahead with the peace process, I strongly believe we cannot afford to dally and wait for the emergence of a stronger or more effective government. Moderates need to raise their voices against isolationism and extremism. It’s been 40 years since the occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. What has the result been? Israel has been unable to provide security to its people. The will of the Palestinian people to struggle has not been broken, nor has their desire for independence and freedom. Does Israel want to live another decade under these circumstances? Al Ahram: Your Majesty during your speech to the US Congress in March, you stressed that Washington should throw its weight behind an urgent push to establish peace in the Middle East. You also warned that the crisis was moving faster. What is your evaluation of the US role in the region at this stage, and how can it be more effective in the future? King: Circumstances and events in the region impose on everyone the need to move fast to stop the situation from deteriorating further. If it continues, God forbid, it will lead to dark and painful outcomes. I believe that achieving a comprehensive and lasting resolution of the Palestinian issue is the key to resolving the other issues in the region, which is why in the past few years I focused on encouraging the US administration to revive its role in the peace process and exercise its influence on all sides to encourage them to move ahead with the peace process and achieve practical steps on the ground. The US has stressed several times that it is committed to the peace process, and this US administration in particular has called for the establishment of a Palestinian state. If the US is looking for a victory in this region, then it can help resolve the core conflict in the region, which is the conflict in Palestine. From Iraq and even to Afghanistan, lost opportunities have brought the entire region to this precarious situation. If we do not want to go back to the starting point, we need not lose another opportunity. Here, I would like to emphasise that the US, being the world’s superpower, bears a huge moral responsibility to achieve peace in the Middle East, beginning with helping to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This in my opinion is in the interest of global peace and stability. Lack of resolution to the Palestinian issue is the cause for all the problems in the Middle East and we and Egypt are the closest to the Palestinian issue and understand the Palestinians’ needs. If there is no progress in the peace process, we warn of war breaking out in the region. So let’s push things forward to decrease the pressure and avert this war, because everyone will pay the price. There are some who say leave things as they are in the Middle East, but we warn here, that unless we advance peace the situation in the region will become more and more complicated. Al Ahram: Since Al Aqsa Intifada in September 2000, there has been constant deadlock in the peace process. The Middle East Quartet’s efforts have failed. What are the restrictions on the work of the Quartet, and is it feasible for it to continue its work to revive the peace process? What are the chances of coordination with the Arab Quartet? King: The Quartet is an important mechanism because it represents international parties — the US, the UN, Russia and the EU. So it is important for the Quartet to exercise its role in peacemaking by helping revive the peace process and eliminating the obstacles standing in the way of that. More importantly, the Quartet also provides the requisite international momentum to push both the Palestinian and Israeli sides to take practical measures to build confidence and to facilitate the relaunching of the process in accordance with international law. I personally do not like the term Arab Quartet. I prefer to call it a group of Arab states that seeks to revive the peace process. It includes Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries. What is important is that we have an opportunity to revive coordination between the international Quartet and the Arab group and effectively push the process forward. Coordination between the two groups is necessary if we want to reach tangible and practical results. Through this coordination, we have succeeded in focusing attention on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the core issue in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Al Ahram: Four years after foreign troops entered Baghdad, the Iraqi crisis worsens by the day. How do you see the developments of this crisis, in light of the increasing number of deaths and the blood flowing in Iraq? What is your evaluation of the Iraq security conference in Sharm El Sheikh earlier this month, and how, in your view, did it achieve the aspired results? King: We’ve constantly warned about the growing crisis in Iraq, where the Iraqi people are paying the price of the fitna being fuelled among them by external parties. These parties are driving Iraq towards the brink of a civil war that will reverberate in all neighbouring countries. It will also impact regional and global security and stability. In all our contacts, we warn about the dangers on the horizon, in terms of killing, violence and destruction. We have supported all previous conferences on Iraq that seek to preserve Iraq’s security, stability and unity. We hope that the Sharm El Sheikh conference has achieved results that will help end the violence and direct people towards reconstruction and stability in their country. The adoption of the International Compact with Iraq document is an important step towards supporting Iraq, ending interference in its internal affairs and preventing its fragmentation. We must stress that only the Iraqis themselves are capable of knowing their country’s best interests, but they have to unite and challenge the voices that are inciting sectarianism and violence. Al Ahram: Several international bodies estimate the number of Iraqi refugees in neighbouring countries at around two million. More than 700,000 are here in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. How much of a problem do these refugees cause for Jordan? What are the possible solutions to their situation, whether in Jordan or elsewhere? King: Jordan has always been a refuge for its Arab neighbours. Iraqis in Jordan are among their people and their brothers. They have come to Jordan because of the dire conditions in their own country, and Jordan has provided them with all the facilities they need to have a dignified life. But we fear at this point that we may witness a greater flow of Iraqi people into Jordan. This will be an extra burden on our country, because our resources and capabilities are limited. The international community and concerned international organisations must take the lead in assisting host countries so that they are able to continue to properly care for these people until they are able to return to their own country. Likewise, the coalition forces and the Iraqi government are responsible for securing the peace and protecting civilians in Iraq so that Iraqis do not feel compelled to flee their country. They should protect Iraqi lives and property and end the daily terrorism perpetrated by extremist groups and armed militias. The security and stability of Iraq is as much a Jordanian and Arab interest as it is Iraqi, and we are keen to support our Iraqi brothers build a secure, stable and united Iraq. Al Ahram: Terrorism is an international phenomenon and continues to spread in the Arab region. We have seen what happened recently in Algeria and Casablanca. Your country has also suffered from this dangerous disease. We cannot forget the November 2005 blasts that targeted three hotels, killing 60 and injuring many others. You have stressed that Jordan will not retreat from its policy to fight terrorism and have called for an international strategy for that. What are the steps taken by the Jordanian government to ensure that these things do not reoccur? And how do we seek a response for President Mubarak’s call for an international conference to fight terrorism? King: We support every Arab, regional or international effort to confront terrorism, which threatens everyone. We support President Mubarak’s call to convene this international conference and establish effective mechanisms to fight terrorism and to stop its spread, because we are fully aware of the dangers of terrorism and takfiri thought. This has targeted us and our security, and which have killed and injured a large number of innocent civilians. Countering and uprooting this threat is through forging a united policy in the Arab and Islamic world. This unity is the weapon that will enable us to cripple terrorists’ plans. Terrorists seek to turn the Arab states into an arena of chaos and foreign interference. That’s where the Amman Message, released in 2004, comes in. It stresses Islam’s values, based on peace, love, compassion, acceptance of the other, and exposes the false claims of terrorists who hide behind religion to carry out their plans, when in reality, religion is innocent of their acts. Al Ahram: Relations between Egypt and Jordan are a model, whether at the official or popular level. How do you view bilateral cooperation between the two countries in political, economic and cultural fields, in light of what has been said by Jordan’s Labour Ministry concerning the hiring of Egyptian labourers? King: Relations between the two countries are distinguished and strong and I am very pleased with the level of ties. Coordination between the two countries is developing qualitatively, and we enjoy today an advanced stage of bilateral cooperation. There is increased investment and joint projects between the countries’ private sectors. My relationship with President Mubarak is strong and dates back to the days of my father, the late King Hussein Ben Talal. Several economic projects between the two countries also reflect the maturity of our relations. These include the electricity grid, the gas line project, which are all indications of maturing economic relations. This shows the possibility of expanding economic ties at higher levels. We share the same challenges politically, and maintain cooperation at all levels, especially since we and our Egyptian brothers are the closest to the Palestinian issue. We have an opportunity to help the Palestinians and Israelis commit to the peace process. Jordan and Egypt also play a key role in that regard in the Arab and Muslim world and we maintain constant coordination and consultation. The question of the Egyptian guest workers in Jordan is an organisational one and is in the interest of Egyptian workers and reflects the requirements of the Jordanian labour market, as well as Jordan’s unemployment pressures. All of these require new procedures that would regulate the ratio of guest workers to Jordanian workers. These organisational procedures have not targeted any specific group of Arab workers, but were adopted in the interest of the national labour force. The government and executive authorities have found this to be the best arrangement, and it was a decision coordinated with Egypt. Al Ahram: Inter-Arab cooperation… Many talk about a new Arab order… Does Your Majesty have any ideas to support this cooperation economically and politically? King: Our ideas on Arab-Arab cooperation are founded on solid Arab work, embodied in existing Arab conventions. But we need a new push towards inter-Arab cooperation that would prove to the Arab people that their leaders are keen to establish a solid, cooperative Arab body. The foundation for such cooperation is the Arab League, which, because of its history and the consensus it enjoys, can be a regulatory umbrella through which several executive and specialised bodies can emerge. These could be in different fields, the energy sector for example, especially that some Arab countries aspire to peaceful nuclear energy. We also need Arab bodies specialised in regulating education, which would require preserving the common factors in our educational curriculum, that would inject a sense of Arab unity among Arab youth. We are facing several challenges especially with regards to the Palestinian issue, Iraq, Darfur and Somalia. Hence a strong Arab League would help these Arab states face these challenges and contribute to the building of a promising Arab future. During the summit in Riyadh, Jordan supported a proposal from Kuwait to convene a summit to discuss economic cooperation. We have regularly urged greater Arab cooperation between the private sectors. Al Ahram: What is the level of Jordan’s ties with Syria and Qatar? King: Our relationship with Syria is excellent and there have been numerous visits by officials in both countries. We also assist in developing projects under way in Syria, particularly in the field of education and banking sector. Relations between the two peoples are just fine. There are occasional misunderstandings at the political level which we hope to overcome. As for our ties with Qatar, we are trying to resolve issues between Arab states, and in light of challenges facing us today, we must overcome sensitivities between Arab states. We have major challenges to address as Arabs and Muslims. Ties with Qatar are not at the level we aspire to but we hope they would improve in the future. I believe the level of Arab cooperation is much better now and Arab states are working to overcome sensitivities in order to face the challenges. We hope to intensify our efforts for increased coordination, cooperation and consultation between all Arab states. Al Ahram: How do you view Jordan’s relations with the West? King: We have strong ties with the West, but our focus lately has been on the East. Asia is playing a key role and we must develop economic ties between Arab and Asian regions. Developing ties with Pakistan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia and China is very important not just for Jordan but for all Arab countries. Al Ahram: It has been eight years since Your Majesty ascended to the Throne, during difficult circumstances for Jordan and the Arab region? King: My personal motto throughout has been: Build on achievements in development and progress. Due to the dedication of Jordanians, the vision of my father, His Majesty the late King Hussein, we have established several productive and efficient institutions. But the responsibility to lead and the historic duty to which we have devoted ourselves as Hashemites has prompted me to develop what has already been built. Jordan has, with God’s blessing and the will of the Jordanian people, realised tangible and impressive development in several economic and political sectors. Economic indicators show positive growth averages, and foreign currency reserves and national exports have increased. The industrial sector has developed. All this indicates a healthy national economy. We have adopted comprehensive plans to revive different geographic areas economically, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive national economy. Our experience in Aqaba, Mafraq, and more recently, Irbid are reasons for optimism. On the political front, we are committed to democracy as a doctrine for our constitutional institutions. We are also committed to conducting parliamentary and municipal elections on the constitutional date. But the real challenge is the regional tensions that threaten Jordan along with other Arab states. Our vigilance is needed in order to stop attempts to threaten our national achievements and our development. Al Ahram: I asked a Jordanian if he had a question for His Majesty the King and he said he would like to ask about rising prices. King: I am well aware of the price hikes that are caused by the rising cost of oil which is our biggest challenge. God willing, things will improve over the next few years. The oil bill for Jordan has constituted an extra challenge because years ago the annual bill was around JD250 million and currently stands at more than JD1.5 billion. The key issue for us now is to find ways to alleviate the burden on Jordanians. Unemployment has dropped from 17 per cent to around 14 per cent and we hope to bring it even further down soon to 12 per cent and eventually 10 per cent. Al Ahram: What is the background of the confiscation of the tape of His Royal Highness Prince Hassan’s interview with Al Jazeera? Is there any contact with him and do you have any consultations with him concerning domestic or regional issues? King: This issue has been blown out of proportion. Maybe it drew so much attention simply because it is so unusual for Jordanian officials to take such an action against a media organisation. I think there were some parties who have exploited this episode, and perhaps it escaped His Royal Highness Prince Hassan that his remarks could harm Jordan’s interests and its relations with some Arab states. Here, let me stress again that some media outlets exploited our openness to the media to create trouble. The entire affair could have been addressed without making such a big fuss. Jordan is committed to press freedoms and facilitating the work of the media. This is reflected in legislation including the new Press and Publications Law and in the Access to Information Law that recently was endorsed by Parliament. We also believe that the media plays an important domestic and regional role. It is a partner in political and economic development, and can help foster Arab cooperation. I believe that the Arab public expects the media to convey news, information and analysis that moves reality in the region towards those objectives. Al Ahram: Your Majesty, Jordan will host in the next two weeks, the World Economic Forum, the G-11 summit and the Nobel laureates conference. What is the significance of these conferences in advancing economic development, security and stability in the region? King: Actually, we count on these conferences to strengthen cooperation between countries of the region and the rest of the world. We believe that these events, and the numerous issues they address, are important tools to identify practical mechanisms to tackle economic, developmental, political and social challenges. We also seek to exploit the broad international participation of leaders in politics, science, economics and development, to continue our efforts to win support for Arab causes, at the forefront of which is the Palestinian issue, which, now more than ever, needs the support of everyone in the world who believe that peace is the only way to achieve security and stability. Thursday, May 10, 2007

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Related posts:

Prosperity, stability, a crucial model for other countries: Text of King Abdullah II remarks at opening of Dead Sea G-11 Economic Summit 5-19-07
Transcript of Interview, Jordan’s King Abdullah 4-10-07
The Amman Message: how Jordan understands Islam–text of remarks by King Abdullah II, November 2004
Remarks by King Abdullah 5-21-07 to Nik Gowing, BBC World, at the side of G11 Economic Forum

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Remarks by King Abdullah 5-21-07 to Nik Gowing, BBC World, at the side of G11 Economic Forum

The following is the text of the King’s remarks as reported in the Jordan Times:

‘We have to keep trying’

Meanwhile, the King said in a BBC interview aired yesterday that moving the Palestinian issue in the right direction would give the international community more flexibility to deal with other Middle East problems.

“If we can move that in the positive direction, it allows us much more flexibility in dealing with the others,” the Monarch told the BBC on the sidelines of the three-day World Economic Forum on the Middle East, which concluded on Sunday.

“I keep saying that Israeli-Palestinian issue is the core issue in the Middle East, the central issue at the heart of all Arabs and Muslims.”

The King asked: “If we don’t have a Palestinian state, can we ever have peace between the Arabs and the Israelis?” He said efforts should focus now on launching the peace process.

“As difficult and as dark it gets, we have to keep trying, and this is what we’re saying, specifically on the Palestinian issue,” the King said. “We see a spike of tension and crises, and I think that’s why everybody’s scrambling to restore calm as quickly as possible… there are voices of reason out there, and I’m hoping that they’re beginning to pick up momentum.”

The Monarch inaugurated the WEF on Friday, urging around 1,000 politicians, economists, media leaders, intellectuals and other prominent figures from around 50 countries to help end violence in the Middle East and be ready for the “day after peace”.

“This is our year of opportunity. Opportunity to end violence, opportunity to make peace, opportunity to build the regional economic powerhouse of tomorrow,” the King said in his opening remarks.

“There is a historic opportunity to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement, and achieve it now, this year, before any more generations suffer, before any more destruction takes place.”

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

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Related posts:

Prosperity, stability, a crucial model for other countries: Text of King Abdullah II remarks at opening of Dead Sea G-11 Economic Summit 5-19-07
Transcript of Interview, Jordan’s King Abdullah 4-10-07
The Amman Message: how Jordan understands Islam–text of remarks by King Abdullah II, November 2004
Transcript of interview with Jordan’s King Abdullah May 9, 2007 with Egyptian Al Ahram daily

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Prosperity, stability, a crucial model for other countries: Text of King Abdullah II remarks at opening of Dead Sea G-11 Economic Summit 5-19-07

Text of the King’s speech from The Jordan Times 5-20-07.  Articles remain online for one week. The following is a note about the G-11 Economic Summit from JT 5-20-07:

The G-11, launched last September by King Abdullah, groups Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Georgia, Honduras, Indonesia, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay and Sri Lanka.

The Monarch announced that the G-8 extended an invitation to the G-11 to discuss the establishment of a formal, institutional relationship between the two groups in Berlin later this year….

The G-8 of most developed countries groups Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK and the US.

Text of  article about King’s speech:

Following are King Abdullah’s remarks at the G-11 summit at the Dead Sea on Saturday:Bismillah Al Rahman Al Rahim,

Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon, and thank you. On behalf of Jordan, welcome to the 2nd Summit of the Group of Eleven. This meeting is the largest G-11 gathering of national leaders since our partnership began. That high-level commitment indicates the importance of what our countries are trying to achieve. Your excellencies, I deeply appreciate the generous sharing of your time, ideas and leadership today.

Let me also thank the officials, from all our countries, whose work helped launch our initiative and prepared the way for today’s summit. And I would like to extend our special appreciation to the G-8 observers who have joined us today. Our two organisations have a vital shared goal, to strengthen prosperity and peace in the 21st century. Working together is a top priority.

My friends,

The G-11 countries have come together, out of a shared commitment and a shared requirement.

The commitment is to the serious path of development — structural reforms and accelerated programmes that advance the opportunities, prosperity and well-being of our people.

The requirement is for supportive partnerships, among ourselves and with other nations — partnerships that can cement our gains and sustain our progress into the future.

We can take satisfaction in what we have begun to achieve. Our countries have made significant gains across society and the economy, increasing participation in global trade, widening access to skills and technologies, committing to good governance and realising higher growth.

The challenge is to consolidate these gains and sustain progress into the long-term. That means having the budgetary space to continue to invest in development and economic growth. For all of us, that space has been squeezed by fiscal and other constraints — high debt burdens, rising oil prices and other external shocks, rising employment demand, and more. We can and are pushing forward, including finding new opportunities from cooperation among our countries. But it is vital that the international community support our continued progress.

In this regard, the G-11 has identified four priority areas for international support and cooperation: Debt burden alleviation, investment promotion, trade development and targeted grant assistance. These are the basics for self-sustaining prosperity, supporting the foundations for reform, opening new opportunities for millions more people to escape poverty and enabling our young people to build strong futures.

The four G-11 priorities, articulated and agreed in this group’s White Paper, have been submitted to the G-8 presidency for consideration. We have also identified specific initiatives that can serve as a practical, targeted start-up for G-8/G-11 cooperation. These include investment in infrastructure, support for small- and medium-sized enterprises, scientific research and development, and technology transfer.

I am very pleased to announce that the G-8 presidency has extended an invitation to the G-11 presidency to discuss the establishment of a formal, institutional relationship between the two groups in Berlin later this year.

The G-8’s partnership with the G-11 can multiply the positive effects its support to each of our countries has already had. It will tell the world that the friends of development will not be satisfied until the house of prosperity is really open to all, that our countries are not simply welcomed up the path, not simply left at the door, but invited, gladly, over the threshold and into the house.

And let me say, yes, success is in our interest, but not only our own. This is especially true now, with the global economy in transformation. Developing countries are having more and more impact on trade, investment and productivity. And lower middle-income countries hold an especially pivotal role. Our success anchors our respective regions in prosperity and stability. And it provides a crucial model, for other countries, of what structural and economic reform can achieve. That can be the seed of a new international development paradigm, one that reaches those most in need and that cements successful steps towards sustainability on the ladder of development.

My friends,

Our future is still in the balance. Only by working together can we get the message across to the entire international community. Only by working together can we build on our common strengths.

Today, we meet to reaffirm our commitment to that partnership. I look forward to your ideas on practical measures to consolidate our relationship with the G-8. I hope also we can discuss the tremendous opportunities to enhance cooperation among G-11 members, especially in the fields of trade and investment, information technology and tourism.

Allow me to thank you again for your participation and commitment. Together, I believe we can take another step closer to the prosperity and stability our peoples seek.

Thank you very much.

Sunday, May 20, 2007