US embassy cable - 02AMMAN3427

UNCLAS AMMAN 003427 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, KPAL, US, JO 
SUBJECT: GOJ'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S SPEECH 
 
 
1. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry released on June 25 
Jordan's official response to President Bush's June 24 speech 
on the Middle East.  The full text follows: 
 
Begin text of statement. 
 
We welcome President Bush's speech and the commitment to US 
engagement.  It is extremely important that the United States 
now take the initiative in finally bringing this conflict to 
a close. 
 
President Bush's speech is in line with our position that an 
end game and a timeline should be defined so that the 
political process can be re-launched on solid grounds. 
 
The call for a Palestinian state as the outcome of the 
Palestinian right to freedom is a needed and welcomed 
development.  The President made it clear that the Israeli 
occupation that began in 1967 has to end.  We support the 
establishment of a Palestinian state on the basis of the 1967 
borders. 
 
President Bush has set a timeline of three years to achieve 
this outcome.  We stand ready to work with the United States 
and all parties to expedite this target date so that the 
Israeli occupation can end sooner than this. 
 
We also note the Palestinian efforts towards reform, and 
their call to hold elections at all levels soon.  We stand 
ready to help in these efforts, which must come from within 
Palestinian society.  We firmly believe Palestinians alone 
are the ones to lead these reform efforts. 
 
We see this as the beginning of the end of the conflict 
between Arabs and Israelis.  We are ready to work towards a 
comprehensive settlement that will lead to a lasting peace 
and normal relations between Arabs and Israelis. 
 
President Bush's statement is possible because of the 
diplomatic opening created by the Arab initiative -- to which 
we remain deeply committed.  We must seek a comprehensive 
settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict.  All concerned 
parties, including Syria and Lebanon, must be part of this 
process if a lasting peace is to be achieved. 
 
We urge Israel to live up to this moment in history.  Delay 
is a recipe for disaster.  The Arabs, the US and the 
international community are now willing to commit to make 
sure this vision succeeds.  We invite the Israeli people and 
the Israeli government to join us on the road to permanent 
peace. 
 
End text of statement. 
Gnehm