Interview with His Majesty King Abdullah II

As-Safir: Your Majesty, for two years, there have been meetings of the “moderate” countries' leaders, foreign ministers and heads of their security agencies. Don't you believe that this policy has come to a deadlock? What are your options now?

King Abdullah: I have no doubts that the regional conditions are extremely difficult. We exerted huge efforts over the past two years to bring to the forefront the Palestinian question, being our number one issue and the core conflict of the struggle in the region. We have reiterated to the Americans, the Europeans and others that solving this conflict is key to resolving the other conflicts in the region.

We will continue with our efforts and contacts with our Arab brothers, and with the US and Israel, to stress the need to achieve progress in the peace process. I have been talking recently to several world leaders, including British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and several other European leaders [urging them] to stand by us in our efforts to support the negotiation process to achieve results before the end of this year.

During my meetings with Palestinian and Israeli officials, I have felt that they are optimistic although there are no signs on the ground to show that. Nevertheless, we must not give up and we have to continue to push for peace. This is our strategic choice that we will not abandon, no matter how much the American role in the region wanes, how much the Arabs' confidence in it fades away, and how many obstacles the Israeli policies create, whether through the new settlements or regarding other issues related to the conflict. This is the core of the Arab enterprise that we have been working on for over three years, taking into account that we need now need to work harder than at any other previous stage and within the spirit of one team to guarantee positive results.

As for Lebanon, despite our concern about the tragic events that have occurred, we believe that what happened in Doha represents a fresh start, which we hope will lead to a complete breakthrough and a new Lebanese government. On the other hand, there are still many questions: Is the problem over or not? What is the role required from the Arab countries to support Lebanon, its unity and sovereignty? There is also the situation in Gaza. Are we witnessing a truce, pending developments that we are not aware of or is it a step towards a solution? These are answers that we are looking for, in consultation with the Arab leaders, so that we will not be surprised to see things that we do not want to see, neither in Lebanon, nor in Palestine or Iraq.

I strongly believe we should have more coordination among moderate countries. The day before yesterday, I paid a visit to Saudi Arabia and discussed with the Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, several issues pertaining to the Arab situation in general. We addressed, in particular, the future of relations between Arab countries and Iraq, as well as with moderate countries' ties with Syria. I found in the Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines what I have always known of him: responsibility, seriousness and dedication in dealing with regional developments.

Let me assure you that there are issues that we discuss, with utter transparency, clarity and positivity with our Saudi and Egyptian brothers and several other Gulf countries, regarding the conditions in Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq and the way to deal with them from an Arab perspective that serves the interests of our Arab nation.

As-Safir: Your Majesty, what about resending the Jordanian ambassador to Baghdad?

King Abdullah: We will send our ambassador back to Baghdad soon because we believe that our relations with Iraq should move ahead in a positive manner and should serve the interests of the two countries. We conducted last week in Amman very useful talks with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. I think we were both comfortable with the procedures agreed on to improve and strengthen the relations between both countries.

As-Safir: Your Majesty, I had the honour of meeting you a year ago in Beit Al Urdun and you were talking back then about a four-party coordination, and after that, it developed into a six-party coordination and now, it seems to be bilateral. It seems that the Egyptian-Saudi coordination is much stronger than the coordination involving Jordan within the same group… Now there is talk about returning to trilateral coordination. What do you have to say about this?

King Abdullah: I think the contrary is true, that Jordanian, Egyptian, and Saudi coordination today is stronger than ever. Meetings between me, the Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, President Hosni Mubarak and leaders of other Arab countries are continuous and have not stopped. They are held in an atmosphere of candour and transparency. What we care about as moderate countries is to deal with our Arab issues from an Arab perspective and away from any regional or foreign intervention.

As-Safir: Does that mean that there is strong solidarity?

King Abdullah: There is solidarity for certain; as for strength and effectiveness, results will be the judge. We are always open for continued coordination and consultation with the Arab brothers, not only with the states you mentioned, but with all Arab states, in a manner that serves our causes and joint interests, relying, of course, on a clear vision and perspective in this regard, so that we can boost joint Arab action, achieve genuine solidarity and solve our problems on our own. Today, I strongly believe we need to work as one team, together with our brothers in Syria as well, to work out a clear strategy and a unified perspective to solve all the problems that are facing us.

As-Safir: But there are two schools: the first speaks of the possibility of Arab action without Syria and the other which does not see that Arab action is possible without Syria?

King Abdullah: Syria is a key part of the Arab world and a vital pillar of joint Arab action. I came out, from my meeting with President Bashar [Assad], during my latest visit to Damascus, with the impression that he is seeking to improve his relations with the Arab states and is working to achieve solidarity among the Arab countries.

I assure you that if Arab countries think with a strategic perspective and set clear and specific plans, we will be able to expand the base of action, coordination and consultation, to include the largest number of Arab countries.

The challenges and the problems we face - whether in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon or Sudan - will not be resolved with compliments but with dedicated and serious work, true solidarity and an accurate diagnosis of the problem. In general, we realise today the problems facing us and we know their causes and the elements that keep them alive. But, at the same time, we are aware of their solutions and what needs to be done by everybody.

As-Safir: When I recall your address, Your Majesty, to Congress and read your speeches, the latest of which were at the Woodrow Wilson School and at Oxford, it is clear from your warnings that there is no person who can better sound the alarm than yourself. However, if the international community and especially the US administration, does not respond… and the Israeli and the Arab situation is the way you described, then the policy of Hamas is the most appropriate to handle the new realities.

King Abdullah: We recently heard much talk and have seen journalistic and political analyses regarding the decline of moderate countries and the moderate approach in the Arab world. But before answering, let us determine what moderation is. Isn't it about ensuring security and stability for our peoples, building a better future and restoring our legitimate rights, without resorting to violence and wars which have resulted only in disasters and defeats?

If moderate countries are blamed for opening communication channels with the USA and Israel, the other side has embarked on a similar approach! Isn't that, therefore, a success for the logic of moderation? Today, Syria is negotiating with Israel over restoring its occupied lands and this is a positive development and an approach we support. There are also other parties seeking a truce with Israel and others seeking a truce through prisoner swaps. So if we put the rhetoric aside, we find that the underlying logic is the same. Where is the decline in your opinion?

As-Safir: In all cases, US policy in the region is not helping.

King Abdullah: We were hoping that after the latest visit of [US] President [George W.] Bush to the region and his speech in Sharm El Sheikh, a breakthrough would happen concerning the peace process but the feeling on the Arab street was that of disappointment, leaving an impression that there is no seriousness in the quest for peace.

Nevertheless, I believe that the chance is still there for the US policy to push towards progress in the peace process and help the Palestinians and Israelis to overcome obstacles facing negotiations over all final status issues in order to realise progress that Palestinians can feel, and so their hopes of an independent state and the return of their legitimate rights are revived.

As-Safir: Let us talk about your experience in talks with the Syrian leadership, which resulted in serious bilateral ties. But Syria still, in the general sense, belongs to the other enterprise. The question here is: Syria is politically negotiating, Hamas is negotiating over security and Hizbollah is negotiating over swapping prisoners and body parts. Therefore, there is no such thing as moderation and non-moderation, but rather two different political enterprises, each with a different point of view, with both seeking results. Do you see a development in Syrian logic in this direction?

King Abdullah: As I mentioned earlier, a third way is possible. I would like to stress that the relationship between me and President Bashar Assad is very strong, thank God, and bilateral ties between both countries are extraordinary.

There are challenges facing Syria and others facing Jordan and there is a common understanding regarding these challenges which we are working together in both countries to stand up to. I reaffirm that Syria is indispensable to Jordan, and Jordan is indispensable to Syria. Ties between both peoples and countries are historical.

As-Safir: Your Majesty, how do you view the Syrian-Israeli negotiations?

King Abdullah: What we have felt so far is that Israel is not showing seriousness, even in the Palestinian issue. We have seen several obstacles placed by the Israelis such as the settlements and others to delay the establishment of a Palestinian state. In spite of that, we will not give up and we hope to see real progress on the ground and seriousness in dealing with negotiations with the Palestinians as well as Syrians.

As-Safir: A Kuwaiti newspaper noted that during one of your meetings to discuss Syrian-Saudi relations, the Saudis refused to discuss the Syrian issue, and that the disagreement between the two countries took a personal turn?

King Abdullah: I believe there is a chance to improve relations with Syria and activate Arab-Arab relationships and we will keep working within this framework.

As-Safir: Your Majesty, do you think that Iran will allow the Iraqi government to take further steps towards better ties with Arab countries?

King Abdullah: I think we should seise the opportunity and extend our hand to the Iraqis and enhance Arab ties with Iraq. There is no time for hesitation or any delay in taking the initiative towards [better ties] with Iraq in order not to lose this country and its brotherly people. I can see there are some improvements in Iraq, particularly at the security and political participation levels. We, as Arab countries, have to seise this opportunity to support Iraq and welcome it back into the Arab arena, especially after the Iraqi government has tightened its grip on militias and outlawed groups who are linked to external parties and have targeted the stability and security of Iraq. It is the responsibility of Arab countries and Iraq to build strong relationships because the absence of an active Arab role in Iraq is good news to external parties. Iraqis, including Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites, have become more aware of their situation and their common future. They also realise the necessity of cooperation between each other, which is in their own interest. I can see optimism regarding Iraq and the success of the Arabs in dealing positively with Iraq will boost this feeling.

As-Safir: Why was the Jordanian reaction to what happened in Lebanon less enthusiastic than that of the Saudis and the Egyptians?

King Abdullah: We in Jordan work and we do not claim credit for ourselves. During the latest events in Lebanon, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora called and asked me to intervene and assist in forming an Arab committee to solve the crisis. Jordan exerted its efforts to have the committee formed from influential Arab countries, and we indeed convinced other Arab countries to join the committee which had an important and primary role in reaching the solution that was agreed upon. The Kingdom's was represented in the committee by the foreign minister to ensure an active Jordanian role. Regarding the Lebanese issue, Jordan is always concerned about the stability and sovereignty of Lebanon. For example, we were the first to insist on a full Israeli withdrawal from the Shebaa Farms and in all our meetings with American, Israeli and international parties, we had this issue as a top priority. We worked continuously with our brothers in Lebanon and the Arab world to achieve this goal as soon as possible.

As-Safir: Your Majesty, through my follow-ups, I have felt that Jordanians are worried about the future, especially if the peace process does not result in the establishment of a Palestinian state?

King Abdullah: We are used to such media leaks and political analyses and we are not worried about the future of Jordan but optimistic that Jordan, which has overcome numerous challenges, will move forward to achieve a better future. This country was made to stay. Jordan is Jordan and Palestine is Palestine. We have survived through the Arab-Israeli conflict for half a century and defended the rights of Jordanians, as well as Palestinians, and we will keep standing firm, believing in our just cause and the right of the Palestinian people to an independent state and identity on Palestinian land. The Palestinians will not accept an alternative homeland. Israel should realise this truth, recognise the Palestinians as an existing people and believe in the inevitability of coexistence between the Palestinians and Israelis.