How do you expect to move the Middle East peace process forward, given the
paralysis in Israel and the lack of pressure from the international
community?
Abdullah: "We don't have much choice. The way I put the argument is that
you cannot really have true peace in the region unless we solve the core
issue, which is the the Israeli-Palestinian one. In other words, if there is
no future for the Palestinians, how can there be peace between the Israelis
and the Arabs and the Israelis and the Muslims?
"Now people can say this is not the right time. You have an end of an
administration in the United States, you have got changes in Europe (France,
Britain). You have very confused situation in Israeli politics, but the
timeline we are looking at is that there is a physical limitation on a
future Palestinian state. If you look at issues like (Jewish) settlements
and the wall, we might end up with a Swiss cheese on the West Bank. Then it
all dawns on us that physically we don't have a Palestinian state to talk
about.
"I do not think this is the 1960s or 70s or 80s or 90s where there is another
opportunity to launch a process. We have a finite amount of time. Physically
there may not be a chance for a future Palestinian state. Therefore do we
bring the Middle East to decades more of chaos and violence because without
a Palestinian state and a future for the Palestinians how can we have peace
between the Israelis and the Arabs and Israelis and Muslims?
"This is why the urgency is now. Is the situation ideal? Far from it. But we
have our backs against the wall and I believe that time is running out."
Did Ehud Olmert (Israel's Prime Minister) take this on board when you met
him this week?
Abdullah: "Israeli politicians understand this. But again with what
Israel is going through politically at the moment people are nervous of
sticking their heads out. There are always those people who will want to sow
confusion. All polls show in Israel and in Palestine that the overwhelming
majority of both publics want a negotiated settlement."
Can Olmert in his weakened state deliver or are we going to have to wait
for his successor?
Abdullah: "If you are in a weakened position, what do you have to lose?
He is not the only one in a weak position, I think we all are among the
moderates. The only way to move is to move forward. There is the Arab peace
proposal on the political side, but also a lot more movement in Jordan and
other countries who are reaching out to the publics. We have had Israelis
and Palestinians here. There is a conference in Aqaba with large groups of
Israelis and Palestinians sitting together and trying to find peace, trying
to build a momentum. For the first time the issue of peace has moved from
the editorial columns of the Israeli press to the front pages. People are
talking about Arab proposals."
You are planning your first trip to the West Bank?
Abdullah: "We were supposed to be in the West Bank two days ago but we
are having very weird weather. I am hoping if opportunity presents itself,
if if would be helpful I will go."
What would you say to (Palestinian President) Mahmoud Abbas?
Abdullah: "We work on specifics of moving the security plan, trying to
resolve problems of funding for the Palestinians. We are trying to move
Israelis and Palestinians into a closer atmosphere. We have to create the
critical mass to allow them to move forward."
How concerned about the Fatah-Hamas clashes in Gaza?
Abdullah: "It is extremely disturbing for all of us. I hope that cooler
heads prevail. Arabs and Muslims have realised that this is our last chance.
I think it is beginning to dawn on Israelis and Palestinians that this is
our last chance. They need to reach out to their brothers and sisters and
say: 'We need to take one step back because if this continues we may lose
our final opportunity'."
What about the Americans?
Abdullah: "We did not embark upon this a year ago without getting a
feeling from Europe and the United States how willing they were to step
behind efforts to move process forward. I have the commitments from the
United States, but again we need to be able to put enough meat on the bone
to move forward. Condoleezza Rice has been out here several times. You saw
Dick Cheney. All this has been trying to limit the difficulties, remove the
hurdles to the Israelis and Palestinians."
Is Iraq distracting the Americans from peace efforts in the Middle East?
Abdullah: "The American public is obviously focused on Iraq. I felt this
when we spoke to Congress. A lot of people in Congress are not interested in
Middle East. The clock is ticking. I believe the Administration is focused
and will give enough time and effort behind the peace process, even though
they have concerns in Iran and Iraq. As we approach the end of the year,
then they will be focused on domestic issues. If we get to the end of the
year and have not moved the process forward, we are in trouble."
How worried are you about the continued violence in Iraq?
Abdullah: "We are all extremely concerned about what is happening in
Iraq. I think the Vice President's (Dick Cheney) trip around the region was
aimed at bolstering more support for the Iraqi Government to help them
achieve the benchmarks set out for them. We do want them to achieve the
benchmarks set out of them. We in Jordan have always been supportive.
"I have to give (Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri) al-Maliki the benefit of the
doubt at this stage, but the Sunni (Muslim) constituency in Iraq is of great
concern to us."
Is Iran using this as a chance to interfere in Iraq?
Abdullah: "What we have seen in Iraq is a steady burn. If it was to go to
civil war then it would likely be extended beyond the borders. It is a
Pandora's Box. All neighbouring countries have vested interests there. How
to do you stop outside players getting in?
"We have 750,000 Iraqis in Jordan. I think a major concern for Jordan is
if there was an escalation and an exodus of more Iraqis to Jordan would be
very damaging. There would be a competition for water. Jordan is a likely
destination, as are all bordering countries. All of us around the region
have concerns about violence spilling over the border. We have had two
terrorist incidents here in the last couple of years from Iraq. If there is
an influx of Iraqis refugees, there is a humanitarian role that we have to
play. You have to be there to support the people who are suffering. You have
to balance the need to be there to help with being vigilant against
destabilising your own country."
Have recent changes in leadership in France and Britain had an impact on
the Middle East?
Abdullah: "I have discussed the region with Gordon Brown and Tony Blair.
They underlined support for the way Jordan sees things. I do not expect any
major shift in policy. I had many discussions with President Chirac. He told
us not to expect a major change in French policy. France will continue to
play a very strong role in Lebanon.
"There has been a very strong German leadership. I have been pleasantly
surprised with the depth of vision of Chancellor Merkel for the Middle East.
She has been here. You will have leadership changes in France and Britain,
but Germany plays an important role because it is currently the head of the
EU. If you are talking about Middle East issues, they are in good hands with
the German leadership."
How serious is the threat of Iran and the danger of a US strike against its
nuclear programme?
Abdullah: "I strongly believe that any military action against Iran would
be devastating for the region because everything is connected. What we do
not need is another crisis. A strike against Iran would be disastrous. You
cannot deal with Iran in isolation. Everything is connected. If you hit Iran
it would have a ripple effect on Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere."
Is Jordan going ahead with plans to build two nuclear reactors?
Abdullah: "We started this two and a half years ago with the Japanese as
part of our 10-year national agenda. We need to look at alternative energy
sources. We have had a very favourable response. We hope to accelerate
programme. Jordan will be the example of how to do it right. Other countries
in the Middle East without energy resources are talking about it. In Jordan
the issue is extremely transparent. We are a very small country. We are
looking for the most clean and efficient systems. Having been a soldier I
have a phobia about anything called nuclear. As a result we are looking at
the way energy is transported from a nuclear plant. We are not going
anywhere near the issue of nuclear enrichment."
How have your efforts gone to help promote moderate Islamic preachers in
Britain?
Abdullah: "We have been talking to the British Government but I am not as
happy as I would like to be on the level of co-operation in supporting
moderate Islam. I think that more can be done. Maybe I will just leave it at
that. We have been more successful in other countries. We need a knock on
the door. It is a long term process. It is not something that is achieved
over night. The more there is conflict, the harder it is to put out our
arguments. There is a wealth of rhetoric the extremists can exploit. It is a
gold mine."
