Last update - 00:00 10/02/2008
Abdullah warns that Annapolis conference offers last chance for peace
By The Associated Press
Jordan's King Abdullah II warned Sunday that an international conference held in the United States last November could be the last chance for peacemaking between Palestinians and Israelis.
Abdullah, a key U.S. ally who maintains cordial ties with Israel under a 1994 peace treaty, is an ardent supporter of a Palestinian-Israeli peace settlement. He said he was concerned of the growing influence of extremists in the region who may threaten moderates like himself.
"The process that started in Annapolis is, from our perspective, a positive development, but it also may be our last chance for peace for many, many years to come," Abdullah cautioned, referring to the international Middle East conference held in Maryland, which re-launched Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.
He did not elaborate in an interview with Russia's ITAR-Tass news agency, which coincided with his departure to Russia. A text of the interview was distributed by the Jordanian Royal Palace.
Previously, Abdullah said his concern stemmed from a diminishing moderate camp and the rising influence of extremists, who find fertile grounds among the region's poor and frustrated.
The king said protracted conflict has delayed the socio-economic development of most of the countries in the region, despite successful political and economic reforms in some.
"For us to fully realize the benefits of reform, we need to be able to exchange goods and services with our neighbors and facilitate the movement of people," he said. "So in that respect, conflict holds everyone up, and the longer we delay conflict resolution, the more we risk greater instability down the road."
Abdullah also said during his two-day visit to Moscow he would discuss with
President Vladimir Putin the possibility of Russian assistance in helping
Jordan develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
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