Interview with His Majesty King Abdullah II

CNN: Greetings Your Majesty, from neighbouring Iraq, I want to ask you now that you've seen the elections pass on in peace, what is your view about what just happened in Iraq?

King Abdullah: Well, I think Christiane we can say hearty congratulations to all Iraqis I think everybody is very pleased with the turnout and it seemed to have been a very successful day for Iraqis yesterday.

CNN: As you know Your Majesty, President Bush's decision is that democracy in Iraq will lead to the flourishing of democracy all over the Middle East. Do you think that is a more likely prospect today?

King Abdullah: I think if we have good examples of democratic process whether its in Iraq or with the Palestinians it does help countries such as Jordan to be able to push the envelope so I think what we saw yesterday in Iraq is a positive thing I think it is a thing that will set a good tone for the Middle East and I'm very optimistic.

CNN: And what do you think about the less democratic Arab states wherever we look the ones that don't actually have democracy right now? Do you think rulers, if you like, would be shaking in their boots at the site of democracy in Iraq?

King Abdullah: I'd be surprised if leaders would be shaking in their boots, if you recall last year, the Greater Middle East initiative started by President Bush was one to try and push the political reform envelope, obviously it had a negative impact because people felt this was something from the outside that was being forced on them. But since then there has been a lot of maturing in the Middle East and in the Arab world and I think political reform has now become an open subject in societies throughout the ME. And as a result that can be positive. Once you open the door of reform and it is allowed to be discussed in society as it is throughout the ME it is very difficult to close it again. So I think that people are waking up, leaders are understanding that they have to push reform forward and I don't think that there's any looking back.

CNN: Its interesting you said before that they looked at it as being imposed from the outside, do you think now leaders will look at it as actually the voice of the people demanding democracy and change?

King Abdullah: I believe so because again this was a subject that was taboo twelve months ago, but due to the beginning of 2004 when these issues were raised towards the ME, it is now being talked about in all circles of life throughout the Arab world. And obviously a successful Palestinian election and what seems to be a successful Iraqi election can only reassure people that this is a process that the ME needs and one that needs to be taken seriously.

CNN: Let me ask you about the group that is basically empowered here in Iraq today. It is obviously the Shiites we have seen that they have come out from in much larger numbers than Sunnis, we know that they stand benefit really most this democratic process because of their numbers here in Iraq. I know that Jordan has got some considerable fears about that, doesn't want to see an Iran style of Islamic Republic on its borders. Do you think that a Shiite Republic with those fears are legitimate today?

King Abdullah: Well, again its probably too early to tell. We are glad to see that the Shiite turn out was as high as it was, the Kurds did also a wonderful job by going out to the polls, there was obviously some Sunni participation but I think a lot lower than any of us hoped. This new government as you well know Christiane is responsible for drafting the new Iraqi constitution. So, we want this to be inclusive and we want a process that includes all sectors of Iraqi society. And as you well know this is one election, but the one is more important is scheduled for the end of this year in December which will come closer to a permanent face to what Iraq government structure would look like.

CNN: Your Majesty the New York Times had a story on Sunday in which it said that you had gone to Washington you expressed your fears about a potential Shiite takeover or Islamic sort of Republic in Iraq or those kind of fears and the New York Times quotes a top state department official as dismissing your fears as “Racist, anti-Shiite paranoia.” Is that a fair statement?

King Abdullah: Well if you know anything about the Hashemite Kingdom and our family's history you'll know that we have a very special affinity and a very warm place in our hearts for all Shiites. When I made my statements about our concern of Shiites in Iraq, I was addressing the political background of that not the religious one. As being a descendant of the prophet as being what we call a part of Aal Al Bayt we have a very warm and very special relationship with Shiites not just in Iraq but also in Iran and elsewhere throughout the Islamic world. What we were concerned about was the political aspects that you know we want Iraq for Iraqis and not for anybody else.

CNN: How can somebody so senior in the state department make that kind of comment? Do you think that's appropriate?

King Abdullah: I'm very surprised, I haven't read the article and I don't know if there's a name or if it is just a source in the state department but obviously probably that man is not aware of the religious context that Aal Al Bayt that our family has with the Shiites. So I think maybe he's just not aware of the history of this part of the world.

CNN: And as you said there wasn't actually a name it was just an anonymous top official talking to the New York Times. But I want to ask you today do you have concerns about the future now after these elections, and if so what are they? In other words, do you think it sews the seeds for future stability or will we see more of the divisiveness, the insurgency, the Sunnis feeling marginalised as the process moves ahead?

King Abdullah: The Sunnis I still believe do feel marginalised and I think this is going to be one of the top priorities for this new government to be inclusive to bring the Sunnis into the fold. I believe that the high turnout of Iraqis to the polls yesterday was indicative of how mature and how forward-thinking the Iraqi people have been. They took the risks to go to the polls to be elected and I think if there's any message that comes out of yesterday, was that you know Iraqis were not going to let extremists or insurgents step in front of their future. And if there's one single thing that we can take away from yesterday that the Iraqis have really come together and are stronger than the extremist groups that have been trying to destabilise Iraq over the past 24 months.

CNN: Your Majesty, let me move to the Middle East peace process which you are so involved in. The new US Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice is making a trip, her first trip abroad and will include a visit to the Middle East. Do you believe that Condaleeza Rice should spend more time on this very important issue than her predecessor did and that President Bush should actually spend more time on this term than he did last term.

King Abdullah: Well, Colin Powell spent a lot of effort as did many in the administration, to push the Israeli-Palestinian process. As you well know, we ran into some walls I believe there are new opportunities with the Palestinians and Israelis. I think that the Palestinians had a very successful election process. They have a prime minister that knows exactly what he needs to do. He's taken tremendous risks to be a partner for peace. I think the Israelis' definitely have a partner for peace now so I would imagine that Condaleeza's role will be easier in that the atmosphere between Israelis and Palestinians are I think conducive to getting the roadmap back on track. And we wish Dr. Rice all the best in her trip throughout the region. Israelis and Palestinians met in Davos at the World Economic Forum several days ago, I gather that those meetings from my sources have been positive. And I think we are at the start of a process that hopefully will lead back to the roadmap and getting the peace process back on track.