GOJ'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S SPEECH

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