[<< "Just how scared is ThugCo of the Woodward book?"] [Archive Index] [>>"Neocon Ass-Kisser Number One..."]
04/19/2004 Archived Entry: "Cripes. Another pissed-off ally."
Cripes. Another pissed-off ally.
Way to keep those friends, George.
In a surprise move, King Abdullah II postponed a White House meeting with President Bush this week, citing questions Monday about the U.S. commitment to the Middle East peace process.The snub from one of Washington's closest allies comes amid Arab anger at Bush for endorsing an Israeli proposal to withdraw unilaterally from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank but keep Jewish settlements on other West Bank land claimed by the Palestinians.
Bush's statement after a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon last week constituted a historic shift in U.S. policy, and Palestinian leaders accused the administration of undercutting the possibility of a negotiated settlement.
The White House played down any hint of friction with Jordan, saying the Wednesday meeting with Abdullah was rescheduled to the first week of May "because of developments in the region."
"The king decided this week it was better for him to be in Jordan and we understand that," said National Security Council spokesman Sean McCormack.
But Abdullah has been in the United States since last week and it was not clear whether he had left. A palace statement said Abdullah instructed his foreign minister to remain in Washington to continue meetings and discussions with officials in the Bush administration and to prepare for the king's return to the United States in May.
The palace statement said the Abdullah-Bush meeting would not be held "until discussions and deliberations are concluded with officials in the American administration to clarify the American position on the peace process and the final situation in the Palestinian territories, especially in light of the latest statements by officials in the American administration."
Replies: somebody speaks up.
Great, so one of the FEW countries in that region that's actually largely friendly with us is now startign to question their relationship with us. It's getting to the point where we might be stuck going it alone no matter what a (hopefully) Kerry presidency does because we've pissed off everyone.
When I argue with right wingers, I almost always advocate involving countries like Jordan and Egypt more in the reconstruction of Iraq. Guess that idea is getting harder.... :\
Posted by Jason @ 04/20/2004 09:52 AM NY
