Jordan's King Abdullah Speaks To Congress

Calls On U.S. To Take The Lead In Mideast Peace Process

(AP)  Citing the risks of further delay, Jordan's King Abdullah II said Wednesday the United States must take the lead in creating conditions for a permanent peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Speaking to a joint meeting of Congress, Abdullah said that history has shown no progress in Middle East peacemaking is possible without American leadership.

"We look to you to play a historic role," he said, adding that results are needed "not in one year or five years but this year."

"No more bloodshed, no more lives pointlessly taken," Abdullah declared.

He speech, lasting just under a half hour, was delivered in flawless English, with only an occasional aside in Arabic. He was interrupted a number of times by applause.

His remarks were limited almost entirely to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Abdullah made no direct reference to Hamas, to the current divisions in the Palestinian leadership or to recent efforts by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to revive peace efforts.

Instead, he spoke of the suffering that both Israelis and Palestinians have suffered. At one point, he lamented "the 40 years of occupation" that he said Palestinians have endured.

"The goal must be a peace in which all sides gain," he said. "There must be a peace in which Israelis will be part of the neighborhood."

His comments on the Middle East issue before his departure for Washington were far more critical of Israel than the ones he delivered on Wednesday.

Last Friday, he said, "The main responsibility (for achieving peace) lies with Israel, which must choose either to remain a prisoner of the mentality of 'Israel the fortress' or to live in peace and stability with its neighbors."

James Zogby, president of the Arab-American Institute, met with Abdullah after the speech and later issued a statement calling the presentation "smart and courageous."

"It was clear he aggravated some opponents of peace, but what was also clear was that he emboldened and strengthened many in Congress and many more in both the Arab-American and Jewish American communities in their resolve to make peace a reality," Zogby said.

[dallison7]

"The main responsibility (for achieving peace) lies with Israel, which must choose either to remain a prisoner of the mentality of 'Israel the fortress' or to live in peace and stability with its neighbors."

Abdullah is an impressive leader with the right message. The world, particularly the US, should listen.

[karlimhof]

Yes, good speech - a surprise he was allowed to hold it. Was he invited? By whom?


It has been the policy of the world, including successive american governments since 1967 - that Israel will redraw to her 1967 borders, a Palestinian State wil emerge, and peace will be born after much suffering.

It would be a begining for peace throughout the Middle East if this injustice in Palestine would be resolved. Let us work for it!

[antoniof123]

Why does it take a Democrat to get things moving in the right direction and a Republican to mess it up. Have they had any successes I mean what happened to the Contract with America you all remember that one. What a joke that was.

[karlimhof]

I mean what happened to the Contract with America you all remember that one. What a joke that was.
Posted by antoniof123

you mean "Contract on America" by Newt Gingrich - all time repub loser who was last seen in Doug Feith's Pentagon office of special plans, helping him fabricate evidence for war in Iraq ?

Is he still alive?

[formrusmcsgt]

I have been stating here forever that a standing army will never defeat a motivated, competent guerilla force that has the support of the local populace.

The neocons always respond that I do not know what I'm talking about, that I'm a traitor, an enemy agent, etc., and we just need more troops to get the job done.

Well, this morning Dubya's hand picked boy finally spoke the truth:

No military solution to Iraq - U.S. chief

POSTED: 5:59 a.m. EST, March 8, 2007

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) -- U.S. and Iraqi security forces cannot solve the problem of violence in Iraq without political action and reconciliation with some militant groups, the U.S. commander in Iraq said on Thursday.

General David Petraeus, in his first news conference in Baghdad since he took command last month, also said he saw no immediate need to request more U.S. troops, but reinforcements already requested would likely stay "well beyond the summer."

"There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency of Iraq," Petraeus said.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/03/08/iraq.petraeus.reut/index.html

Now you neocons, call Petraeus an enemy agent and traitor for speaking the truth - go ahead.

[anopinion1]

china is insanely overpopulated...
so i say we let them spread out tell china to march with the U.S. across the middle east and kill every single person their. we split up the rich oil reserves and further dominate the world together. and they get most of the land to fornicate on!!!!

[karlimhof]

Now you neocons, call Petraeus an enemy agent and traitor for speaking the truth - go ahead.

Posted by formrusmcsgt


well, I don't think we'll be hearing from many today - they're all packing their bags I hope - we may hear though a "clarification" of this Petraeus statement from the WH - it kinda goes against what our commander-of-lies been selling to us, i.e. long fight ahead, etc.

between you and I - with the Bagdad Talks coming up soon, this statement which was probably ok'd by the WH, sets the scene for some positive "parlay-ing".

[karlimhof]

i nominate anopinion1 :

as next chief honcho of the neo-neocons! good thinking partner!

[bluestardad]

HERE ARE THE SENATORS UP FOR REELECTION IN 08 WRITE THEM OR QUIT COMPLAINING! The longer we interject American military and money in the Middle East the longer the problems will exists. If America pulls out of the Middle East then the countries will have to work out their differences between themselves and true peace will be achieved. THEY ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE AMERICAN TREASURE FOR EVER WITH NO BUY IN FOR THEMSELVES! PULL OUT OF THE ENTIRE MIDDLE EAST!
Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Baucus, Max- (D - MT)
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)
Kerry, John F.- (D - MA)
Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)
Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)
Reed, Jack- (D - RI)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

The House Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[notblue]

Former, nothing like cherry picking, he said no military solution ALONE, he also said it would take many years and this is a world wide conflict which Iraq and Afghanastan comprise only the first two chapters of. You left out a little.

[anneselden]

Good to see CBS giving King Abdullah's speech coverage, it really was a great speech.

I thought is was a beautiful and an inspiring and a very sensitive speech, especially in that he has his facts straight, rather than pretending this fiasco started recently the way many politicians do, his statement begins at the sovereign beginning of the mess we are in now with:

"Sixty years of Palestinian dispossession, forty years under occupation, a stop-and-go peace process, all this has left a bitter legacy of disappointment and despair, on all sides. It is time to create a new and different legacy, one that begins right now"

"Sixty years of Palestinian dispossession" is a very important point to remember as the Palestinian refugee crisis is the largest and longest running refugee crisis in the world today. It is also important to be mindful of the fact that many Palestinians have no security anywhere-no real home- no job- no hope and no passport out of this stateless hell.

King Abdullah had many good lines- well worth quoting such as "We must make our process serve our purpose"

And he is right- We can wait no longer... "We must work together to restore Palestine, a nation in despair and without hope. We must work together to restore peace, hope and opportunity to the Palestinian people. And in so doing, we will begin a process of building peace, not only throughout the region, but throughout the world."

[gossimer]

Why must AMERICA be the one to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians??? Why is it OUR responsibility???

We should just start minding our OWN d a m n business, instead of policing and trying to control OTHER countries!!!

After they're TRULY grown tried of all the bloodshed and war between themselves, THEN they will work things out for themselves!!! And if they can't, well, that's just too d a m n e d bad!!!

[anneselden]

Good to see CBS giving King Abdullah's speech coverage, it really was a great speech.

I thought is was a beautiful and an inspiring and a very sensitive speech, especially in that he has his facts straight, rather than pretending this fiasco started recently the way many politicians do, his statement begins at the sovereign beginning of the mess we are in now with:

"Sixty years of Palestinian dispossession, forty years under occupation, a stop-and-go peace process, all this has left a bitter legacy of disappointment and despair, on all sides. It is time to create a new and different legacy, one that begins right now"

"Sixty years of Palestinian dispossession" is a very important point to remember as the Palestinian refugee crisis is the largest and longest running refugee crisis in the world today. It is also important to be mindful of the fact that many Palestinians have no security anywhere-no real home- no job- no hope and no passport out of this stateless hell.

King Abdullah had many good lines- well worth quoting such as "We must make our process serve our purpose"

And he is right- We can wait no longer... "We must work together to restore Palestine, a nation in despair and without hope. We must work together to restore peace, hope and opportunity to the Palestinian people. And in so doing, we will begin a process of building peace, not only throughout the region, but throughout the world."

[anneselden]

Good to see CBS giving King Abdullah's speech coverage, it really was a great speech.

I thought is was a beautiful and an inspiring and a very sensitive speech, especially in that he has his facts straight, rather than pretending this fiasco started recently the way many politicians do, his statement begins at the sovereign beginning of the mess we are in now with:

"Sixty years of Palestinian dispossession, forty years under occupation, a stop-and-go peace process, all this has left a bitter legacy of disappointment and despair, on all sides. It is time to create a new and different legacy, one that begins right now"

"Sixty years of Palestinian dispossession" is a very important point to remember as the Palestinian refugee crisis is the largest and longest running refugee crisis in the world today. It is also important to be mindful of the fact that many Palestinians have no security anywhere-no real home- no job- no hope and no passport out of this stateless hell.

King Abdullah had many good lines- well worth quoting such as "We must make our process serve our purpose"

And he is right- We can wait no longer... "We must work together to restore Palestine, a nation in despair and without hope. We must work together to restore peace, hope and opportunity to the Palestinian people. And in so doing, we will begin a process of building peace, not only throughout the region, but throughout the world."

[anopinion1]

i nominate anopinion1 :

as next chief honcho of the neo-neocons! good thinking partner!

Posted by karlimhof at 08:35 AM : Mar 08, 2007

yay

(btw it was a joke)

[bluestardad]

HERE ARE THE SENATORS UP FOR REELECTION IN 08 WRITE THEM OR QUIT COMPLAINING! The longer we interject American military and money in the Middle East the longer the problems will exists. If America pulls out of the Middle East the countries will have to work out their differences. 50 YEARS OF SACRIFICE IS ENOUGH! We cannot want peace in the middle east more than those who live there! ASK THEM WHO IS PAYING THEIR SALARIES?

Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Baucus, Max- (D - MT)
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)
Kerry, John F.- (D - MA)
Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)
Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)
Reed, Jack- (D - RI)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[anneselden]

Good to see CBS giving King Abdullah's speech coverage, it really was a great speech.

I thought is was a beautiful and an inspiring and a very sensitive speech, especially in that he has his facts straight, rather than pretending this fiasco started recently the way many politicians do, his statement begins at the sovereign beginning of the mess we are in now with:

"Sixty years of Palestinian dispossession, forty years under occupation, a stop-and-go peace process, all this has left a bitter legacy of disappointment and despair, on all sides. It is time to create a new and different legacy, one that begins right now"

"Sixty years of Palestinian dispossession" is a very important point to remember as the Palestinian refugee crisis is the largest and longest running refugee crisis in the world today. It is also important to be mindful of the fact that many Palestinians have no security anywhere-no real home- no job- no hope and no passport out of this stateless hell.

King Abdullah had many good lines- well worth quoting such as "We must make our process serve our purpose"

And he is right- We can wait no longer... "We must work together to restore Palestine, a nation in despair and without hope. We must work together to restore peace, hope and opportunity to the Palestinian people. And in so doing, we will begin a process of building peace, not only throughout the region, but throughout the world."

[lars008-2009]

is it time to round up the muslims like the japanese in ww2???
Former Navy Sailor Arrested On Terrorism Charges
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006681998

N.Y. imam sentenced in terror sting
The former imam of an Albany mosque was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison for his role in a money laundering scheme involving a fictional terror plot set up as an FBI sting.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4612732.html

Group defied sanctions, stole public money, U.S. says
Five associates of a defunct Columbia, Mo.-based Islamic charity, including a state employee, have been indicted on charges they illegally sent money to Iraq and stole public donations, the U.S. attorney's office announced Wednesday.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/missouristatenews/story/71E3B942F0C202978625729800140F2F?OpenDocument

talk is no substitute for action

[s_sgt7]

Well, once again the mainstream media doesn't pay attention. How many times, how much more land, how many more missiles and treaties must the Palestinians break before everyone gets this fact - it is the muslims who are not keeping their word.

You all need to do some research on islam. For instance, 'taqiyya in dar al harb', 'turnspeak', and jihad.

the first is deception, the second is blaming their victims instead of themselves and jihad is for muslims to battle against us and that means war.

[anneselden]

Good to see CBS giving King Abdullah's speech coverage, it really was a great speech.

I thought is was a beautiful and an inspiring and a very sensitive speech, especially in that he has his facts straight, rather than pretending this fiasco started recently the way many politicians do, his statement begins at the sovereign beginning of the mess we are in now with:

"Sixty years of Palestinian dispossession, forty years under occupation, a stop-and-go peace process, all this has left a bitter legacy of disappointment and despair, on all sides. It is time to create a new and different legacy, one that begins right now"

"Sixty years of Palestinian dispossession" is a very important point to remember as the Palestinian refugee crisis is the largest and longest running refugee crisis in the world today. It is also important to be mindful of the fact that many Palestinians have no security anywhere-no real home- no job- no hope and no passport out of this stateless hell.

King Abdullah had many good lines- well worth quoting such as "We must make our process serve our purpose"

And he is right- We can wait no longer... "We must work together to restore Palestine, a nation in despair and without hope. We must work together to restore peace, hope and opportunity to the Palestinian people. And in so doing, we will begin a process of building peace, not only throughout the region, but throughout the world."

[anneselden]

Good to see CBS giving King Abdullah's speech coverage, it really was a great speech.

I thought is was a beautiful and an inspiring and a very sensitive speech, especially in that he has his facts straight, rather than pretending this fiasco started recently the way many politicians do, his statement begins at the sovereign beginning of the mess we are in now with:

"Sixty years of Palestinian dispossession, forty years under occupation, a stop-and-go peace process, all this has left a bitter legacy of disappointment and despair, on all sides. It is time to create a new and different legacy, one that begins right now"

"Sixty years of Palestinian dispossession" is a very important point to remember as the Palestinian refugee crisis is the largest and longest running refugee crisis in the world today. It is also important to be mindful of the fact that many Palestinians have no security anywhere-no real home- no job- no hope and no passport out of this stateless hell.

King Abdullah had many good lines- well worth quoting such as "We must make our process serve our purpose"

And he is right- We can wait no longer... "We must work together to restore Palestine, a nation in despair and without hope. We must work together to restore peace, hope and opportunity to the Palestinian people. And in so doing, we will begin a process of building peace, not only throughout the region, but throughout the world."

[clestes-2009]

Not much chance of the US leading the way to peace in the middle east with Dubya sitting in the whitehouse. Even if he had a sudden change of heart, or rather stopped being Cheney's mouthpiece, there is just not enough time for it to happen.