US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns’ recent remark to chief editors of Jordanian newspapers that his government puts Jordan’s strategic interests in the ongoing peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians under the direct stewardship of US Secretary of State John Kerry is certainly assuring.
There are still many voices within and without the country that harbour suspicion about the ultimate US intentions, especially regarding issues that have an impact on the Kingdom’s interests.
The US official was quoted as saying: “We clearly understand Jordan’s profound stake in this process and Jordan’s profound stake in progress towards a two-state solution as well as the importance of addressing Jordan’s interests along the way.”
He also said that “President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry are strongly committed to achieving a final status agreement and welcome no better partner in this effort than King Abdullah”.
Jordan’s concerns are obvious. What stands out among them are: the border between Jordan and the projected Palestinian state; the future status of East Jerusalem and the continued respect of Jordan’s special role in the protection of the holy sites in this city; the overriding issue of Palestinian refugee and their inalienable right to return to their homeland.
Against this backdrop, the outline of the framework agreement between the two sides needs to be spelled out the soonest, so that all stakeholders can feel assured that their vital interests are protected.
Procrastinating and giving way to rumours only creates anxiety and raises the suspicion of the peoples with vested interest in seeing the Palestinian-Israeli problem solved.
The US assurances are comforting, but until the fine details of the projected peace deal come out in the open, uncertainty will affect all concerned in the region.
