King visits U.S. for launch of direct Mideast peace talks early next month
[21/08/2010 20:50]
www.petra.gov.jo/Artical.aspx?Lng=1&Section=8&Artical=215811

Amman, Aug 21 (Petra) -- His Majesty King Abdullah II will pay a visit to
the United States on Sept.

1 at an invitation from President Barack Obama one day before direct
Palestinian-Israeli peace talks get underway.

The King will hold a one-on-one meeting with Obama before joining a
Washington summit that will also include Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak,
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and International Middle East Quartet envoy Tony Blair.

The King's talks with Obama would focus on steps to ensure that face-to-face
negotiations would reach the ultimate goal of ending the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict on the basis of the two-state solution and within a regional
context leading to comprehensive peace.

A Royal Court source said the King is keen on crystallizing an effective
international position to conduct successful negotiations that would tackle
all final status issues and fulfill the two-state solution that guarantees
setting up an independent Palestinian state on land occupied since 1967 with
East Jerusalem as its capital and according to credible terms of reference,
namely the Arab peace initiative.

The source said achieving the needed progress in the negotiations required
the parties' commitment to a statement issued on Friday by the Quartet-- the
United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia-- and all terms of
reference that stipulate that creation of an independent and viable
Palestinian state living in peace alongside Israel is the sole means to
solve the conflict.

Jordan, the Royal Court source pledged, will offer the necessary support for
Palestinians in their quest for their legitimate rights, notably the right
to freedom and statehood.

"Making negotiations a success and achieving Palestinian-Israeli peace
within a comprehensive regional context constitutes an international
necessity and the pillar of regional stability," it added.

The Royal Court source said Jordan recognised the commitment by Obama and
his administration to Middle East peacemaking and underscored Washington's
pivotal role in peace efforts and the need to pursue a leadership role in
the negotiations.

It also stressed the importance of collective efforts by the world community
to find an environment conducive to the success of peace talks that required
cessation of all provocative actions to change facts on the ground, foremost
of which is the building of Jewish settlements that threaten to torpedo any
chance for Palestinians to set up their state.

//Petra//SS.