Bush arrives in Jordan for talks
US President George Bush arrived in the Jordanian port city of Aqaba today for crucial face-to-face peace talks with the Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers.
He was hoping to build on the momentum from a meeting in Egypt yesterday where Arab leaders threw their weight behind his plan aimed at ending 32 months of violence and creating a Palestinian state.
“If all sides fulfil their obligations, we can make steady progress on the road towards Palestinian statehood, a secure Israel and a just and comprehensive peace,” the US president said before leaving Egypt.
He will push home that message again today to Israeli premier Ariel Sharon and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas – first separately – then in a three way summit.
Meeting in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheik yesterday, the Arab leaders had pledged to fight terrorism and help end violence against Israel, standing in solidarity with Bush at what he said was “a moment of promise” for peace.
“We shall continue to work for a Middle East that is free of strife and violence, living in harmony without the threat of terrorism or dangers of weapons of mass destruction,” Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak said on behalf of himself, Abbas and the leaders of Jordan, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
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