Fifty-seven countries are not at peace in the Mid-East today

[housewolf]

The King of Jordan has a message for Americans re: peace in the Mid-East

King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan addressed the students and faculty of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University today, to urge long-term American commitment to the Middle East's development and to support the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in a way that can change the region's strategic landscape for years to come.

The full text can be found at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/king-abdullah-ii-ibn-al-hussein/my-message-to-america-on-_b_89205.html


Fifty-seven countries are not at peace with Israel today.

Fifty-seven countries out of 193 countries in the world.

Fifty-seven countries with a total population greater than Europe and the United States combined.

Fifty-seven countries, representing one third of the members of the United Nations.

Fifty-seven countries for whose citizens the conflict in Palestine is the issue of their time.

We must, therefore, ask the important question. What are the implications for global stability if this continues?

Today I assert that this must not continue and that 2008 is a critical year. Yes, at long last, this year, right now - we are in the best possible position to resolve 60 years of conflict between Israel and Palestine. The Arab and Muslim states have committed to an unprecedented and unanimous peace initiative. We have a chance to answer this third of the world who are not at peace with Israel and who demand freedom and dignity for the Palestinian people.

But time is running out and we need the United States of America completely involved, to influence the course of discussions, monitor progress, and help bridge the gaps to ensure a final agreement by the end of 2008.

It is difficult to exaggerate how great the stakes are, for Americans, for Arabs, for Israelis, and indeed for the whole world.

But I am not here today to speak only of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I am here to speak to you, the scholars of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, of the critical importance of a long-term strategic American involvement in the development of the Middle East.

I am here to explain that such a commitment is an opportunity to transform the strategic landscape of the Middle East for years to come.

I am here to speak of what must, I repeat, must happen if our world is to be safe.

... much more at the link above

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. That's nice. The king's grandfather kicked out Palestinians ...

The Arab and Muslim states have committed to an unprecedented and unanimous peace initiative? Tell that to Hamas.

[housewolf]

2. So the sins of the father...

fall to sons and down to the 7th generation? Is that what you are saying????

Because of his grandfather's actions, does he deserve no consideration for having learned lessons from the past 60 years? Perhaps coming to terms with ideas and realities that didn't exist 60 years ago?

There will never be peace in the Mid-East or anywhere else if everyone responds the way you did. That is a most un-helpful attitude.

[Fredda Weinberg]

4. I'm saying there's history to this region. Are you aware?

It's not my responsibility to be helpful at this point. Criminals have taken over the Gaza Strip and no one else is able or willing to deal with them.

60 years ago? You want to go back to before Israel existed as a state? Fuggetaboutit. There'll be no more wars where Israeli war planes drop seltzer bottles because no one, including the US, would sell her weapons.

[Make7]

3. Fifty-seven?

Mrs. Iselin: I'm sorry, hon'. Would it really make it easier for you if we settled on just one number?

Sen. John Yerkes Iselin: Yeah. Just one, real, simple number that'd be easy for me to remember.

Sen. John Yerkes Iselin: There are exactly 57 card-carrying members of the Communist Party in the Department of Defense at this time!