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His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan is a
Contributor to MaximsNews.com, An
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JORDAN'S
KING ABDULLAH MET WITH ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER TO DISCUSS PALESTINIANS AND
PEACE (MaximsNews.com,
U.N.) |
UNITED NATIONS - / www.MaximsNews.com@U.N./
Aqaba,
Jordan - 16 May 2007 –
Jordan's King Abdullah met with
the Israeli premier yesterday and he emphasized to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert that any plans to expand settlements in Palestinian lands and escalation
measures with the Palestinians thoroughly contradict the desire for peace.
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During
a meeting with the Israeli premier, King Abdullah stressed the need for
practical steps to build bridges of confidence and facilitate the re-launch
of the peace process and renew negotiations with the Palestinian side.
King
Abdullah told Olmert that unilateral Israeli actions in
Jerusalem, such as the excavations and construction works near the Haram Al Sharif as
well as plans announced for new settlements in Arab East Jerusalem, are
provocative to Muslim sentiments around the world.
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Referring
to Israeli media reports concerning the construction of new settlements in Jerusalem, King Abdullah said
Jordan
rejects such measures as severe transgression of Palestinian and Arab rights in
the holy city.
He
added that
Jordan
hopes to see Israel expedite the release of Jordanian prisoners.
King
Abdullah called for an end to the economic siege on the Palestinians and the
removal of checkpoints that violate Palestinian rights.
The
King told Olmert that Israel must alleviate Palestinian funds in order to demonstrate its desire for peace
and support for the Palestine National Authority under President Abbas'
leadership.
The
King called for urgent action to alleviate the Palestinians' sixty years of
suffering under Israeli occupation.
The
King's meeting with Olmert, on the sidelines of the 3rd Conference of
Nobel Laureates in
Petra, is the latest in a weeks-long diplomatic effort to build support in Western,
Arab and other Muslim states' capitals for the launching of Palestinian-Israeli
peace talks on the basis of the Arab Peace Initiative.
The
Arab Peace Initiative reflects the Arab states' desire for peace and is an
appropriate framework for a just, comprehensive and lasting resolution to the
conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, the King said, adding that
negotiations on the basis of the Arab Peace Initiative can also end decades of
conflict in the region and provide Israel with security and stability.
The
King said that time is not on the side of either Israelis or Palestinians, and
that both sides must agree to a political process with a timeline for the
implementation of the initiative and enter into negotiations on the most
controversial issues.
He
said that to squander opportunities for peace would be to subject the region's
people to a cycle of chaos and violence and undermine efforts to achieve
region-wide prosperity and development.
During
the talks, King Abdullah said that in his recent meetings with peace activists,
he noted a real desire to move forward and said they should be given every
support in putting in place mechanisms that contribute to the success of the
Arab Peace Initiative.
Olmert
assured the King of the he will deal with utmost flexibility with President
Abbas in discussions, particularly over Palestinian funds being held by
Israel, adding that he will also reduce restrictions on Palestinians.
The
Israeli premier denied reports on settlements, explaining that there are no
plans to build new settlements. He also promised to address the Jordanian
prisoners issue as soon as possible.
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Labels: United
Nations, U.N.,
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MaximsNews.com, An Independent Voice from the
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Dr. Nafis Sadik, Shashi Tharoor, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Noeleen Heyzer, Kerry
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Dhanapala (Sri Lanka), Amb. Pierre Schori
(Sweden), Amb. William H. Luers, Susan Roosevelt
Weld, Rory Kennedy, Mehri
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O'Connor, Genevieve Stamper, Max Stamper and
others.
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