And .. Link ~ Thursday, May 19th ~ Obama to lay out Mideast policy ...
May 18, 2011
President Obama meets King of Jordan
Washington: US President Barack Obama met the King Abdullah of Jordan at the White House and the two leaders discussed recent developments in the region including Libya, Egypt and Tunisia.
"We discussed the situation in Libya and are grateful for the support of a wide range of Arab countries in our efforts to make sure that humanitarian assistance and humanitarian protection occurs inside of Libya," President Obama told reporters.
He said that both the leaders discussed about rapid transformation taking place in Egypt and Tunisia.
"We both agreed that it's critical that not only does political reform proceed, but economic reform accompanies those changes there.
"Because so much of what's taking place has to do with the aspirations of young people throughout the Arab world for their ability to determine their own fate, to get an education, to get a job, to be able to support a family," he said.
That means some of the old structures that were inhibiting their ability to progress have to be reworked, he added.
Obama and the Jordanian King also discussed the Israel Palestine conflict.
"We both share the view that despite the many changes, or perhaps because of the many changes that are taking place in the region, it's more vital than ever that both Israelis and Palestinians find a way to get back to the table and begin negotiating a process whereby they can create two states that are living side by side in peace and security," he said.
"Jordan, obviously, with its own peace with Israel, has an enormous stake in this. The US has an enormous stake in this. We will continue to partner to try to encourage an equitable and just solution to a problem that has been nagging the region for many, many years," Obama said.
