Jordan`s King to `“Israel”`: We have same enemies

Source: Al-Manar, 21-4-2007
"Israeli" occupation daily "Haaretz" reported in its Friday`s edition that occupation Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has invited Jordan`s King Abdullah II to visit the Jewish state as `"Israel"` and Arab governments edge toward new discussion of an Arab peace proposal.
No date has been set for the visit by the monarch, "Israeli" and Jordanian officials said.
"His Majesty is ready to engage in any effort that helps to bring about the success of the Arab initiative and the setting up of a Palestinian state," a source in the Jordanian royal palace in Amman said.
Olmert`s Office said it had not yet had an official response from Jordan and gave no details on the plans for the visit. King Abdullah II told a delegation of Knesset members Thursday that "we are in the same boat, we have the same problem. We have the same enemies." The king reiterated the comments a number of times, which those at the meeting said referred to Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.
Abdullah also emphasized that he spoke not only for Jordan but for a group of states in the region. The king asked at one point: "Do you want Iran on the banks of the Jordan?"
The king made the comments at his palace in Amman in a meeting with Acting "Israeli" President Dalia Itzik and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi, as well as six additional lawmakers. The "Israeli" delegation attacked a mention of an Arab right of return, saying there is no "Israeli" who will agree to that and it would be like asking `"Israel"` to commit suicide.
"Haaretz" added that the king responded again and again that everything would be consensual. He claimed the Arab peace plan is not a plan but talking points. After Rivlin said the Arab League secretary commented "Take it or leave it," Abdullah said "Leave him to me." He did say that instead of talking about the right of return, it might be necessary to talk about the right to compensation and that it was not only an "Israeli" problem, but also a problem of the wealthy Arab countries.
The king called on `"Israel" to "adopt the Arab initiative as the basis for negotiations with the Palestinians and not to miss this historic opportunity for recognition by all the countries of the region and true integration into the region." He added: "I worry about the generations to come. This is an unparalleled opportunity and I have taken it upon myself to influence the people of "Israel"."
The palace announcement emphasized that the Knesset delegation was invited as part of the king`s diplomatic efforts to jumpstart the peace process. The Arab League has decided to appoint Jordan and Egypt to take the lead in approaching the Jewish state to promote the Arab peace plan to resolve the "Israeli"-Palestinian conflict.
The "Israeli" delegation was impressed with Abdullah`s frankness but said he demands too high a price.