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Bush Meets Abdullah, Calls Upon Arafat to Take Action
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| Jordan's
King Abdullah with U.S. President George W. Bush. |
By S.M. Khalid, IOL Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (IslamOnline) - U.S. President George W. Bush welcomed Jordan's King Abdullah to the Oval Office Friday for high-level discussions aimed at finding ways to stem continuing violence between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as bi-lateral economic ties.
Bush also told reporters that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat would have to do more to stop attacks by resistance groups against Israel.
"Mr. Arafat has to show the world that he'd willing to fight terror," said Bush.
Alluding to the recent arms shipment intercepted by Israel last month off the coast of Gaza, the U.S. president said, "The weapons were imported for a terrorist purpose. Mr. Arafat must lead. I think what we need to do is fight all terror. We want a full-focused effort."
Bush sidestepped questions concerning recent remarks by Israel's hardline Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who told an Israeli newspaper he regretted not killing Arafat during Israel's bloody siege of Beirut 20 years ago.
"The best way to peace is to keep the focus on peace," said Bush. "If we do, it's more likely we'll have a peaceful resolution."
King Abdullah lauded President Bush for his diplomatic efforts to bring peace to the region.
"We are grateful for your effort," the king said to Bush. "We are grateful for your vision, your courage and your determination to really bring a better world to our part of the region."
The two leaders said they would also focus on strengthening economic ties between their two nations.
Bush and King Abdullah also discussed the U.S.-led war against terrorism following the deadly September 11 attacks.
"After September 11th, it was very clear who is on the side of good, and those who are on the side of bad, and a number of strong nations in the middle," Abdullah told reporters.
Bush met in the White House Oval Office with King Abdullah for more about 90 minutes. The smiling Jordanian monarch did not speak to reporters after the meeting.
Friday's visit marked Abdullah's second White House meeting with Bush. Their initial meeting had been scheduled for mid-September. The Jordanian monarch was en route to Washington when the September attacks on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon outside Washington occurred, forcing him to abruptly cancel his visit in mid-air and return to Amman.
The two leaders did meet the following month in Washington have been in frequent contact in recent months. Abdullah told reporters that his meetings with Bush have been "growing in strength and cooperation, every time we meet."
Before the meeting, Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher attempted to quash some media reports that said King Abdullah favored continued pressure on Arafat to stop attacks against Israel.
Several U.S. newspapers and other media outlets quoted State Department officials as saying the king supported U.S. policy against Arafat. Muasher denied the reports depicting King Abdullah's position regarding the Palestinians.
Jordanian officials have publicly tried to distance the monarchy from the tenor and comments of remarks made by Bush during his "State of the Union" speech, which was perceived by many in the Middle East as mirroring Israeli policy.
Next week, Sharon is scheduled to meet at the White House with Bush. It will be the fourth meeting between the two men since Bush's inauguration last year.
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