Jordan Watch
An update and analysis of the progress, or lack of it in political, economic, social and cultural reform in Jordan.

King Abdullah: Middle East is doomed by 2007 if the Palestinian issue is not resolved
Friday, September 08, 2006

In an exclusive interview with TIME magazine that will be published on Monday Sep 11th issue, King Abdullah II warned that the Middle East will be doomed to violence and conflict if the Palestinian problem is not solved once and for all by 2007. In the interview that was summarized by TIME here, the King said that he is becoming pessimistic for the first time regarding the region. The main points that were raised by the king and stated by the summary are:
 
 
1- "I believe the Lebanese war dramatically opened all our eyes to the fact that if we don't solve the Palestinian issue, the future looks pretty bleak for the Middle East"
2- "I'm one of the most optimistic people you'll come across. For the first time, I started becoming pessimistic towards the region"
3- "Without urgent diplomatic efforts that yield tangible results to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians, I don't think there will ever be a Palestinian state".
4- "By 2007, if we don't see something that reassures all of us--the international community, the Israelis, the Arabs and the Palestinians--then I think we are doomed to another decade or decades of violence between Israelis and Arabs, which affects everybody"
5-"People around the world in a way just don't care anymore. There is a feeling I get in the international community, 'You know what, let the Israelis and Arabs have a go at each other.' Are we going to resign our region for another decade of violence, or are we going to put this to rest once and for all"
6- "There needs to be some sort of Palestinian integral, geographic state, today and not tomorrow"
7- "A lot of the moderate countries are feeling isolated. Today the street is saying, 'You know, we tried the peace process. We keep hoping that the Americans and the international community will step forward, we keep hoping that Israel will make a difference and reach out to the Arabs. They are only beginning to see that the only way you can get America's attention or Israel's attention is through confrontation."
8-"A war with Iran would sort of open a Pandora's Box and one that I don't think the Middle East would recover from."
 
This is another strong signal by the King in a series of statements that started to go more directed towards the US policy in particular regarding its flawed vision, or lack of it in the Middle East. It is obvious that the King is feeling the heat caused by continuous crimes against the Arabs in the region and the complete failure of the Arab regime and the international community to provide sustainable and just solution. We are also feeling the same heat fearing for the stability and development of our country and our region.

posted by Batir Wardam in Jordan-Palestine @ 7:48 PM

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(5) comments


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On September, 08, 2006 7:39 PM , bakkouz
from Jordan said:

Seeing as how the possiblity of resolving the Arab-Israely conflict within 2007 is very slim, we're pretty much doomed. :|

On September, 08, 2006 8:40 PM , Hashmi Hashmi said:

bass mish soorah!!

On September, 08, 2006 8:58 PM , Batir
from Jordan said:

Hashmi, this is a very expressive photo! It was published in the TIME website during the interview.

On September, 08, 2006 9:04 PM , Sari Al-Hiari
from Qatar said:

The middle easy is doomed anyways, since no one agrees on what the "Solution" is. With solutions ranging from complete oblitration of Israel as a state and the Israeli people to providing some sort of state with the Palestinian flag and rule.

Lets say the latter happens, I guarantee you that its only a matter of time before things escalate again.

Its like this, I come into your house and steel everything you have and then when you come home I kick you out and you have no where to go. You will start bargaining to be allowed to sleep on the porch (Of your own house), and once you have that after being kicked out totally, you will have a sense of accomplishment, but it wouldn't be long before you start wanting your home back.

The current situation is the result of the Palestinians and Arabs being weaker than Israel and America and UK and the rest of Israel supporting countries. Its an unfair situation, and can be corrected in one of two ways:

1. The unfair is made to be fair by punishing the guilty and giving back to each his rights.

2. The Arab weakness vs the American Israeli, UK ...etc strength formulat changes (which we are seeing evidence of at the street level).

There is no other way for a real perminant peace. And before people start commenting on this, think about it and I underline for you the words "REAL, perminant peace".

On September, 13, 2006 11:26 AM , Alessandra
from Italy said:

I think is right what King Abdallah told...but he didn't tell that many terrorists, groups and expecially some States, would destroy Israel.
It's a very tragic situation, if a moderate king and person like him talks like that... .
By the way I unluckly think that the end of the Palestinian situation and the creation of the Palestinian State by 2007 is just a beautifull dream... .



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