Interview with His Majesty King Abdullah II

Al Rai Al Aam: How do you view the situation in the region, especially in light of the halt - or let us say, suspension - in the Syrian-Israeli negotiations?

King Abdullah: The halt or suspension of the negotiations on this or that track does not mean the end of the road or reaching a dead end. The parties directly involved in the peace process want to achieve peace. Peace, for everybody, is an irreversible, strategic option. The peace process has gone a long way, and I do not think that any party is contemplating going back. The halt, suspension, or stumbling of the negotiations on this or that track is likely to happen, and should be expected, since it is not easy to take historic decisions. Therefore, it is natural that the negotiations should be difficult and arduous and stop or be suspended for a certain period of time. However, eventually, the negotiations must proceed toward achieving their objectives.

This region must eventually enjoy peace and stability, after these long decades of conflict and wars, from which the peoples of the region have reaped nothing but tribulations and destruction. I believe that everybody is aware of the importance of peace and the need for it and of the opportunities it creates for development and cooperation between the people of the region, toward a better life and future for all.

Al Rai Al Aam: How do you view the Jordanian role and what is special about it?

King Abdullah: Do you mean in the peace process? Well, we, in Jordan, are peace advocates. We believe that the people of the region want a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace. The future of this region depends on the achievement of this peace. On the other hand, we believe that this kind of peace can only be achieved through a just settlement to the Palestine question, since it is the core of the conflict in the region. Also, the brothers in Syria and Lebanon should regain their rights and occupied territories.

Al Rai Al Aam: How do you view this role on the Palestinian level?

King Abdullah: As I have said before, the Palestine question is the essence of the conflict in the region. Peace cannot be achieved without a just settlement to this issue. Consequently, Jordan's position has always been to support the Palestinian brothers so that they can achieve their rights and establish their independent state on their national soil, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Al Rai Al Aam: What advice do you give Barak?

King Abdullah: It is not a matter of advice. It is a matter of facts on the ground that must be dealt with objectively and wisely. I think that Barak and other leaders know exactly the interests of their people and their responsibilities toward the future of this region and future generations.

Al Rai Al Aam: What do you think of Barak's character? Are you not afraid of his indecisiveness with regard to resolving outstanding problems with the Palestinians, now that the door of negotiations with the Syrians has been opened?

King Abdullah: We believe that the negotiations on the Syrian-Israeli track are as important as the negotiations on the Palestinian-Israeli track. Progress on either of these two tracks should not be at the expense of the other track. I think that Barak and other Israeli officials are aware of this fact. When we speak about comprehensive peace, all differences on all tracks should be resolved. Without this comprehensive solution, there will be no just and lasting peace. For peace to last, it must be just and comprehensive.

Al Rai Al Aam: Has a new chapter indeed begun with Kuwait?

King Abdullah: Kuwait is a brotherly country that is dear to us. We share with it warm fraternal and historical relations. Jordanian-Kuwaiti relations may have experienced some estrangement or coolness because of a particular circumstance, misunderstanding or the like. However, this is a transient and exceptional case. We, along with our Kuwaiti brothers, have managed to overcome that. Our relations with our brothers in Kuwait are good. Indeed, we have turned over a new leaf and relations have returned to normal.

Al Rai Al Aam: Let us talk about Iraq. Is there anything new in this regard?

King Abdullah: On the question of Iraq, we are deeply and sadly aware of the magnitude of the suffering experienced by the brotherly Iraqi people under the impact of the embargo, which has been imposed on them for several years. We think it is high time that this suffering came to an end and that Iraq returned to its normal situation and place in its Arab and international environment.

We also believe in the need to maintain Iraq's unity and territorial integrity and its sovereignty over its territory in full. We call on the international community and Iraq to reach a formula to end this tragic situation of the Iraqi people.

Al Rai Al Aam: A year has passed since you assumed power. What is the most difficult situation you have encountered?

King Abdullah: The truth is that I lived and grew up in the school of a great teacher and king, whose wisdom was acknowledged by friend and foe alike. There were many questions, which had always preoccupied my mind. For example, how can I continue the message of my father, may God rest his soul, amid this difficult stage and the major international changes? The economic challenge was at the forefront of my concerns. What are the ways to come to grips with the economic dilemmas facing our country in light of the scarce economic resources? Therefore, developing the Jordanian economy topped my priorities and received my direct personal attention. We have managed, over the past few months, to create the appropriate investment climate and introduce a reform package, which was essential for developing the economy and increasing the appropriate growth rates.

Al Rai Al Aam: What have you learned from this experience?

King Abdullah: I have learned a great deal. I learned that the Jordanian people are great and that they have made a lot of sacrifices. Therefore, it is our duty to work for their prosperity and happiness and to offer great sacrifices for their progress and a better standard of living that befits them. I also learned that we have qualified young people who can keep pace with scientific and technological advances in an age of globalisation. This is why I have made it a point to involve the younger generation in the economic decision-making process and to allow this generation, in unison with the public sector, to draw up economic policies.

What I really felt over the past year was the great sympathy with Jordan on the part of Arab brothers and friends worldwide and the credibility it enjoys in the eyes of people throughout the world. This is no coincidence. It is the outcome of the great human legacy left by my father, God rest his soul, and the close ties he had with world leaders everywhere.

Al Rai Al Aam: How do you view the future of Jordan, and how do you envision the relationship between it and its environment?

King Abdullah: I am very optimistic about the future of Jordan. The Jordanian people have a strong will and determination to fulfil their duties and confidently meet the challenges of this stage. I believe that we have started to draw the general features of the future of our people through this effort to stimulate the economic sectors and establish a true partnership between the public and private sectors. We also seek to attract foreign investment, which reduces unemployment, contributes toward suitable growth rates, and increases Jordanian exports. We need this to ensure a better standard of living for our citizens.

Concerning Jordan's relationship with its environment, Jordan has close relations with all its Arab brothers. As for Israel, we now have a peace treaty with it, and this treaty governs the relationship between the two sides. I think that Israel's commitment to the agreements signed with the Palestinian brothers and the extent of the Israeli government's seriousness in making peace with Syria and Lebanon - peace that gives each party its rights - will further contribute toward a constructive relationship and cooperation not only between Israel and Jordan, but also between Israel and its other Arab neighbours.

Al Rai Al Aam: What do you wish for Lebanon? Do you think one can talk about regional economic integration, and in what direction? What is the nature of this integration?

King Abdullah: Lebanon is dear to us, and we share with it strong relations. I met my brother, His Excellency President Emile Lahoud, during my visit to Lebanonf. I have sensed that he is extremely keen on bolstering ties with Jordan in all spheres. We have the same feelings. We wish this Arab country, whose people have made huge sacrifices for their nation, progress and strength. We hope that the brotherly Lebanese people will achieve the prosperity, security, and progress they aspire for.

Regarding the issue of integration, we aspire for economic integration with all the Arab countries, stemming from our firm conviction that in light of the major international economic blocs, the Arabs must have an economic bloc that entrenches joint Arab cooperation and achieves a bright future for our nation, God willing.

Al Rai Al Aam: What is Jordan's position on the recent developments in Lebanon, including Israel's bombing of power stations, in retaliation against the operations of the resistance, which attacks Israeli occupation soldiers on Lebanon's territory?

King Abdullah: There is no justification for the Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Jordan strongly condemns and denounces these attacks. I think that ending the current situation requires resuming the peace negotiations on all tracks and seeking seriously to achieve progress on these tracks. This should lead to a just, comprehensive, and permanent peace, which the people of the region want. This will also enable them to resume their development and construction efforts. After all, these attacks violate all the resolutions of international legitimacy and international law, which prohibit hitting civilian targets.