Jordan’s Abdullah pushes 2002 plan

Jordan’s king urged the United States to support a 2002 Arab initiative for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Abdullah II, in Washington on a peace push, met Monday with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. “The Arab Peace Initiative envisions comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace, with full security guarantees for Israel from Arab states in exchange for the establishment of a viable, independent Palestinian state, Israeli withdrawal from all Arab territory occupied since 1967 and an agreed settlement to the refugee question,” a statement from the Jordanian Embassy said. It also incorporates the demand for a “right of return” to Israel for millions of Palestinian refugees and their descendants, something Israelis see as a call for the destruction of the Jewish state by demographic means.In recent weeks, however, U.S. officials have suggested the plan could form the basis for negotiations. Abdullah also will meet with President Bush and address Congress in coming days.