Jordan Fears Three Middle East Civil Wars
By Marc Kaufman
Washington Post
Jordan's King Abdullah, who will host President Bush this week during emergency talks on Iraq, said yesterday that the Middle East faces the prospect of three simultaneous civil wars erupting.
"We're juggling with the strong potential of three civil wars in the region, whether it's the Palestinians, that of Lebanon, or of Iraq," the Jordanian king said on ABC's "This Week."
He said that as a result, "something dramatic" had to come out of this week's Amman meetings between Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. "I don't think we're in a position where we can come back and revisit the problem in early 2007," he told interviewer George Stephanopoulos.
However dire the situation in Iraq, Abdullah said he's more worried about the escalating violence in Lebanon and the battles between the Israelis and Palestinians.
"When it comes to things exploding out of control, I would put today, as we stand, Palestine and probably a close tie with Lebanon," he said. "Iraq, funny enough, although as concerned as I am with Iraq and the major problems that might bring to us, is in third position."
The United States, he said, needs to look at the "total picture" and be ready to talk with all parties in the area -- including Syria and Iran -- about a wide range of issues.
"We can possibly imagine going into 2007 and having three civil wars on our hands," Abdullah said. "And therefore, it is time that we really take a strong step forward as part of the international community and make sure we avert the Middle East from a tremendous crisis that I fear."
With parts of Iraq approaching, or already in, a state of anarchy or civil war, the Bush administration is reaching out to traditional Arab allies in an effort to help stem the violence. Vice President Cheney flew to Saudi Arabia this weekend for three hours of talks with its King Abdullah. Bush was briefed yesterday by Cheney about his trip to Saudi Arabia and by other administration officials about the status of their Iraq policy initiatives. Aides said the meeting was not intended to be a decision-making session. Bush is to leave today for a NATO summit before flying to Jordan to meet with Maliki for crisis talks Wednesday and Thursday.
(There is more, here.)
Washington Post
Jordan's King Abdullah, who will host President Bush this week during emergency talks on Iraq, said yesterday that the Middle East faces the prospect of three simultaneous civil wars erupting.
"We're juggling with the strong potential of three civil wars in the region, whether it's the Palestinians, that of Lebanon, or of Iraq," the Jordanian king said on ABC's "This Week."
He said that as a result, "something dramatic" had to come out of this week's Amman meetings between Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. "I don't think we're in a position where we can come back and revisit the problem in early 2007," he told interviewer George Stephanopoulos.
However dire the situation in Iraq, Abdullah said he's more worried about the escalating violence in Lebanon and the battles between the Israelis and Palestinians.
"When it comes to things exploding out of control, I would put today, as we stand, Palestine and probably a close tie with Lebanon," he said. "Iraq, funny enough, although as concerned as I am with Iraq and the major problems that might bring to us, is in third position."
The United States, he said, needs to look at the "total picture" and be ready to talk with all parties in the area -- including Syria and Iran -- about a wide range of issues.
"We can possibly imagine going into 2007 and having three civil wars on our hands," Abdullah said. "And therefore, it is time that we really take a strong step forward as part of the international community and make sure we avert the Middle East from a tremendous crisis that I fear."
With parts of Iraq approaching, or already in, a state of anarchy or civil war, the Bush administration is reaching out to traditional Arab allies in an effort to help stem the violence. Vice President Cheney flew to Saudi Arabia this weekend for three hours of talks with its King Abdullah. Bush was briefed yesterday by Cheney about his trip to Saudi Arabia and by other administration officials about the status of their Iraq policy initiatives. Aides said the meeting was not intended to be a decision-making session. Bush is to leave today for a NATO summit before flying to Jordan to meet with Maliki for crisis talks Wednesday and Thursday.
(There is more, here.)
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