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KING ABDULLAH of JORDAN and OBAMA - Tea and Talking Peace in the Middle East

Barack Obama having tea with King Abdullah of Jordan in a one-on-one meeting in the Oval.

White House Photo by Pete Souza

'...I'd also like to extend a warm thanks on behalf of many Arabs and Muslims who really had an outstanding response to the President's outreach to the Muslim Arab world. It has gone on extremely well and really begins I believe a new page of mutual respect and mutual understanding between cultures. And I will -- I continue to commit Jordan and myself to working with you, Mr. President. You have given us hope for a bright future for all of us...'  -- KING ABDULLAH

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AND KING ABDULLAH OF JORDAN IN JOINT PRESS AVAILABILITY
White House, Oval Office, April 21st, 2009

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Hello, everybody. Take your time, guys. We're going to answer a few questions.

First of all, I just want to welcome His Majesty King Abdullah to the White House. This is a first visit by a leader of another state; in part, it's reciprocity for the extraordinary hospitality that the King and Queen showed me when I visited Jordan prior to the election -- in which the King had personally drove me to the airport. And I won't tell you how fast he was going. (Laughter.)

But more importantly, it's representative of his excellent leadership internationally, as well as a unmatched friendship with the United States upon a whole range of issues. I think that King Abdullah represents a modern approach to foreign policy-making in the Middle East, a approach that is able to see many different sides of an issue, that is obviously constantly mindful of Jordanian interests, but also seeks to resolve issues and conflicts in a peaceful and respectful fashion.

We are very pleased to have been able to work so closely with his government for many years. It is a great friendship between two great countries and two great peoples. And I am confident that that friendship will only be strengthened.

Very briefly, we spoke obviously about a Middle East peace process, my commitment as well as his to moving that process forward with some sense of urgency. We spoke about the broader hope on a range of issues related to Iran and Afghanistan; the issues of terrorism in the region. We spoke about the impact that the economic crisis may be having on both our countries and the need to promote effective international cooperation around those issues. And I'm confident that in the months and years to come our partnership and our friendship will continue to grow.

A week of Diplomatic Surprises - Cuba, Chavez and now a Qadhafi

This week has seen a major diplomatic opening by the White House to Cuba, multiple greetings exchanged between Obama and Hugo Chavez... and today's meeting with with Libyan National Security Adviser Dr. Mutassim Qadhafi and Secy. of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, Washington, DC, April 21st.

SECRETARY CLINTON: I am very pleased to welcome Minister Qadhafi here to the State Department. We deeply value the relationship between the United States and Libya. We have many opportunities to deepen and broaden our cooperation. And I’m very much looking forward to building on this relationship. So, Mr. Minister, welcome so much here.
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR QADHAFI: Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. We’re delighted you’re here.
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR QADHAFI: Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all very much.

Jordan's King Abdullah speaks with Clinton on 'how to bring Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiation table'

Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein met with US Secy. of State Hillary Clinton, Washington, DC, April 21, 2009 and made these remarks to the press prior to their meeting:

SECRETARY CLINTON:  Well, His Majesty is no stranger either to the State Department or to Washington.  He has been a partner, an ally and a friend of the United States on behalf of his country and on behalf of the search for peace that would result from a two-state solution in the Middle East.  And I am deeply honored and greatly delighted to welcome His Majesty back to the State Department for the series of important meetings.

 

KING ABDULLAH:  Mrs. Clinton, thank you very much.  It’s a great honor for me to be back here in Washington.  We’ve had some very fruitful discussions this morning with President Obama.  I’m here at the State Department now to go over the priorities that Jordan and Arab countries need to put in front of themselves on how to bring Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiation table, and hopefully open a new chapter of peace and stability in the Middle East and move the peace process forward.

 

So it is a great honor to be here, and I look forward to working with you, Mrs. Clinton, and working as hard as we can to finally bring peace and stability to the Middle East.

US-ISRAEL: Mitchell, Israeli Foreign Minister to talk Annapolis Process, 2-State Solution

FROM US STATE DEPT: Special Envoy Mitchell held a series of meetings with senior Israeli officials on April 15 and 16. They discussed the full range of issues. Special Envoy Mitchell looks forward to working with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government toward comprehensive peace.

...Senator Mitchell had a very good and candid discussion with Foreign Minister Lieberman. Senator Mitchell reiterated what U.S. policy is with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And by that, I mean our pursuit of a two-state solution with the two countries living side-by-side in peace. With regard to Foreign Minister Lieberman’s comments, I’d have to refer you to him or his office. But Senator Mitchell, you know, made it clear what the U.S. position is with regard to -- ...Two-state solution...
... It’s been very clear that out of Annapolis, there were a number of different elements that the U.S. Government and the other parties were committed to. And certainly, Roadmap obligations are important, making sure that we don’t take steps that further inflame tensions in the region, taking steps that don’t contribute to a positive atmosphere. So the foreign minister is well aware, as is the rest of the Israeli Government, about what the United States wants to see happen in the region.

It’s a new government. There are going to be comments coming from various officials in terms of their views. Senator Mitchell looks forward to working with the new government, and of course with the Palestinians and others, to try to reach that two-state solution, Matt. It’s not going to be easy and there are going to be ups and downs in this process, as we have them in the North Korea – the Six-Party process. So you know, we just have to dig in, roll up our sleeves, and continue to go to work, because that’s what the people of the region – they would expect no less from us.

US DEPT. OF STATE --Daily Press Briefing -- Robert Wood, Acting Department Spokesman, April 16, 2009

US Envoy off to ISRAEL, EGYPT after MOROCCO, ALGIERS, TUNIS

Special Envoy Mitchell was in Rabat today and met with Moroccan Foreign Minister Fassi Fihri and other senior government officials earlier this morning. He traveled to Algiers where he met with President Bouteflika and Foreign Minister Medelci. He ends the day by traveling to Tunis, where he will meet tomorrow, April 15, with senior Tunisian officials.

Tomorrow, again, April 15, after his meetings in Tunis, Senator Mitchell will travel to Israel for a day of meetings with the new Israeli Government on Thursday, April 16, and to Ramallah for a day of meetings with Palestinian leaders on Friday, April 17. He will depart Ramallah on April 17, traveling to Egypt to consult with leaders there. Special Envoy Mitchell is traveling with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale, the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council Mara Rudman, plus several other staff.  ---  FROM US STATE DEPT. ---

Passover Seder at the White House

[nothing to do with Foreign Policy but an interesting 'first'] US President Obama hosted a Passover Seder dinner in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House on Thursday April 9, 2009.  This Jewish holiday event included family friends and White House employees and their families. Photo from the White House by Pete Souza

IRAN and Nuclear Issue -- 'The P5+1' and what REALLY is different now.

US STATE DEPT: The P-5+1 political directors discussed next steps in addressing international concerns about Iran’s pursuit of nuclear – of a nuclear weapons capability, and affirmed their unwavering commitment to a negotiated diplomatic solution to those concerns.

 

We, the United States, outlined the President’s and the Secretary’s goal on Iran, which is to explore diplomatic solutions to the very serious areas of concern.  A diplomatic solution necessitates a willingness to engage directly with each other on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest.  We hope that the Government of Iran chooses to reciprocate.

 

On the nuclear issue, the U.S. remains committed to the P-5+1 process.  What is different is that the U.S. will join P-5+1 discussions with Iran from now on.  The P-5+1 has asked Dr. Javier Solana, EU High Representative for Common and Foreign Security Policy, to extend an invitation to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to meet with representatives of the P-5+1.

 

If Iran accepts, we hope this will be the occasion to seriously engage Iran on how to break the logjam of recent years and work in a cooperative manner to resolve the outstanding international concerns about its nuclear program.  Any breakthrough will be the result of the collective efforts of all the parties, including Iran.

 

The P-5+1 strategy is a dual-track approach, as you all know.  All P-5+1 members will be active in the engagement track.  In addition, all will continue to hold Iran to international standards of conduct, including Iran’s compliance with its international nuclear obligations.

US State Dept. Robert Wood, Acting Department Spokesman, Daily Press Briefing,  April 8, 2009

P-5+1 and other US - IRAN foreign policy issues continued to dominate the State Dept. Press Briefing:

QUESTION:  When you meet with the Iranian – well, if they come back to you and say, yes, we’d like to meet, do you plan to give them a new offer or an updated offer from the incentives package offered last June?

 

MR. WOOD:  Well, that incentive package remains on the table.  We hope that Iran will take up that package.  But we’re certainly looking forward to engaging the Iranians in a discussion of their nuclear program.  As I said, we will be – we will have a seat at the table from now on.

IRANIAN Press Notes Obama's Friendly Tone

This excerpted from Iran's PRESS TV:
...World powers have urged Iran to take the opportunity to engage in talks with the US as a move to find a diplomatic solution to its nuclear issue...

The statement by the major world powers comes as US President Barack Obama has declared that Washington would participate in future talks on Iran's nuclear program...

In a clear change of tone, the Obama administration said the United States would be ready to engage in direct talks on the nuclear issue.  "We strongly urge Iran to take advantage of this opportunity to engage seriously with all of us in a spirit of mutual respect," the six powers said...

Excerpted from report by PRESS TV

SYRIA talks TALKS with ISRAEL but only for Golan

Syrian Foreign Minster, Walid Muallem is reported to have said that Syria would be open to resuming peace talks with Israel, but only with "A full agreement from Israel to a commitment to a withdrawal from the Golan Heights".

IRAN's Ahmadinejad: 'Israel...a nonentity'

Iran's PRESS TV, reports April 8th that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has downplayed any Israeli comments about its nuclear program saying "The Iranian nation considers Israel as just a nonentity and the regime is too weak to threaten us...Today nobody dares to threaten the Iranian nation."

IRAN Diplomacy = P-5+1 and the IAEA

Secy. Clinton commented on the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) process :
Under Secretary Bill Burns is now participating in the P-5+1 as a full participant, not just as an observer. And obviously, we believe that, you know, pursuing very careful engagement on a range of issues that affect our interests and the interests of the world with Iran makes sense, and there’s nothing more important than trying to convince Iran to cease its efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon. --Wash. DC, April 8th, 2009

Here's the March 5th Statement of “P5+1” Group on Iran’s Nuclear Program from the IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS, March 2009 SESSION

 STATEMENT

Statement on behalf of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

We thank the Director General for his report on the "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards and relevant provisions of UN Security Council Resolutions 1737, 1747, 1803, and 1835 in the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Lebanese Defense Minister to US: 'Thanks for the backup'

Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr Remarks with US Secy. Clinton

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I am very pleased to welcome Defense Minister Murr from Lebanon to the State Department. He has been in Washington for the last several days speaking with a number of officials. It is very important that the United States stand firmly and strongly on behalf of Lebanese democracy. We are very supportive of what the Lebanese Government is doing in its efforts to make sure that the upcoming elections are free and fair.
And we are very encouraged by the efforts that the Lebanese Government has been making to comply with international obligations and to continue to make progress on a whole range of issues which I’m looking forward to discussing with the defense minister.
DEFENSE MINISTER MURR: Thank you. I want to thank Mrs. Clinton for receiving me, for the backup that the State of Department and the U.S. Administration is giving to Lebanon, to the Government of Lebanon, and to the Lebanese army. And I hope that for the next coming time, the U.S. policy – and this is what I heard, and I can confirm it today – the U.S. policy will remain the same concerning Lebanon. Thank you.

Washington, DC, April 8, 2009