Royal Message to President Bush

11 April 2004
Amman , Jordan

His Majesty King Abdullah II has sent a letter to U.S. President George W. Bush dealing with ways to put an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and realize stability in the region.

In his letter, King Abdullah affirmed Jordan's strong support to President Bush's vision based on establishing two states to end this conflict. This the only acceptable way to ensure stability in the region and achieve security and prosperity to its people, King Abdullah said in the message.

The King also stressed that Israel's unilateral plan tom withdraw from Gaza Strip should part of the roadmap peace plan and not an alternative to this plan. The UN Security Council should also issue a resolution supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along with Israeli state, the letter said.

Jordan would save no effort in offering every possible aid to the Palestinians, said the King, who hoped a joint plan would be reached with the international community to provide all forms of assistance to the Palestinian people to help them build their institutions.

King Abdullah will leave for Washington this week for talks with President Bush and other senior officials as part of the King's efforts to re-launch the peace process in the region.

Jordan's Ambassador to Washington Karim Kewaar said the King's visit to the U.S. is certainly crucial at this point in time given the situation in the region, particularly the chaos in the Palestinian territories and the deteriorating security in Iraq.

The King's talks in Washington will focus on the most pressing issues in the region, namely the peace process and especially Sharon disengagement plan. " We believe the US role in pushing this process is paramount and much needed at this particular point. We do not want to feel that we have reached an impasse" Kewaar told Petra correspondent in Washington.

The King will also discuss the situation in Iraq and highlight Jordan efforts in the reconstruction process. "We are extremely worried over the deterioration of the security situation in Iraq and restoring security in Iraq is a priority to Jordan," he said.

The US and the international community should work together to preserve Iraq's unity and territorial integrity, the Ambassador noted. King Abdullah will also brief the U.S. administration on Jordan's progress in economic, political and social reforms and highlight the importance Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. that helped increased Jordan's Jordanian exports to the US to over $650 million last year.

During the visit, King Abdullah will also meet U.S. investors and businessmen and attend a series of meeting between Jordanian and U.S. businessmen in California, Kewaar said.