Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh in Washington, DC.
This is the 60th anniversary of relations between the United States and Jordan. Secretary Clinton praised King Abdullah’s strong and vital role in Middle East affairs, as well as the vision and courage of his father, the late King Hussein.
The US and Jordan are working together, to re-launch peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Mrs Clinton said she expressed “our deep appreciation for Jordan’s leadership in working with other Arab states to support peace with deeds as well as words.”
Secretary Clinton noted that peace in the Middle East is among the very highest priorities for the Obama Administration, and now with the Arab Peace Initiative in place it shows great promise.
After the meeting, Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh made a statement and there was a question and answer session with journalists.
Foreign Minister Judeh said that thair main discussions centered on “… the U.S.-led effort to re-launch peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians … Ending the Arab-Israeli conflict is … a U.S. international interest as well as an Arab and Israeli one.” He said thair aim is to guarantee Palestinian statehood, ensure the return of all Arab territories occupied in 1967, and guarantee Israel’s security. This will bring about normal relations between Israel and 57 Arab and Muslim states, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative.”
As usual, The Arab states think that it is not up to them to do anything for Israel, it is up to Israel to give. Michel Ghandour, with Al-Hurra Television noted that Prince Saud al-Faisal said the question is not what the Arab world will offer Israel, but what will Israel give in exchange to the Arab initiative? In response, FM Judeh reminded those present about the Jordan – Israel peace treaty, signed in 1994. He said they were looking for “a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution being the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the establishment of an independent, viable, and geographically contiguous Palestinian state on Palestinian soil.”
Previously, Prince Saud articulated the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative which wants “an end of occupation, establishment of an independent Palestinian state, and after which there will be normal relations – full normal relations between Israel and not only the Arab world but also the Muslim world.”
