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Jordanian leader speaks to JNF's Valley gathering
Prince Hassan pushes for peace in satellite talk
VICKI CABOT
Contributing Editor
As peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization moved into the eleventh hour - and their sixth day - at the sealed-off Wye Plantation in Queenstown, Md., Crown Prince El-Hassan Bin Talal of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan addressed some 250 supporters of the Jewish National Fund at the organization's national biennial conference in Phoenix.
Missing from the Oct. 20 interactive satellite broadcast was an appearance by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had been slated to participate. Netanyahu reportedly telephoned his regrets to JNF President Ronald S. Lauder just minutes before the scheduled broadcast, blaming a U.S. State Department news blackout.
As the crown prince was addressing the gathering from Amman, Jordan, his brother, King Hussein, who is recovering from chemotherapy treatments he received at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., was en route to Wye to participate in the talks.
Hassan, who met with Netanyahu in Amman prior to Netanyahu's departure for Maryland, stressed the need for a "push" to move the negotiations forward.
"We need a comprehensive peace in the region," said the prince, noting the terrorist attack just the day before in Beersheba, which injured 67 Israelis. "In the world in which we live, we cannot be without it," he said.
Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1994.
Invoking the generosity of spirit, intellect and character of his brother, who put aside his own ill health to participate in the Wye talks, Hassan called on negotiators to find the courage to "make the necessary compromises we need for security, stability and human dignity."
However, Hassan was less than optimistic, noting that he was speaking near the end of almost a week of talks and that perhaps "(we) are hiding behind illusions, avoiding reality."
Hassan said the negotiators must focus on critical issues that would lead to mutually beneficial economic development, cooperative water management and other regional partnerships. Water reclamation is one of JNF's major priorities.
"We need to look at the bigger picture," he said, emphasizing the interrelationship among the nations of the Middle East. "We need a regional strategy."
The treaty between Jordan and Israel "must be given a greater life," said the prince, while noting that peace with Israel has not come without a price for Jordanians. Imports to the West Bank have been substantially diminished since Jordan signed its agreement with Israel, he said.
"Time is not on our side," said the prince, observing that extremists and fanatics play on the festering despair and frustration. Action to protect rights and recognize the human dignity of all is essential, he said.
"We must save the peace talks," he told the group, "because without the talks there is no (peace) process."
And without that, no "tikvah, hope, for all our peoples."
Reaction to Hassan's remarks, broadcast during the closing session of the three-day JNF conference at the Ritz-Carlton Phoenix, was positive.
Lauder praised the prince's "commitment to peace."
Honey Kessler Amado, conference co-chair, characterized the prince's remarks as "candid and respectful" and commented on the "incredible commitment to the peace process" shown by King Hussein's willingness to go to Wye from his sick bed.
In addition, Amado, a Los Angeles attorney, said Hassan's remarks reassured her of Jordan's continuing dedication to peace and regional partnerships with Israel. Hassan has been identified as the most likely successor to his brother.
Phoenix resident Mel Myland said he "can't feel too optimistic" about the ongoing talks. "I hope Netanyahu will stay strong and firm, that the Palestinians will change the covenant and that Israel will maintain enough land for its security," he said.
Myland said that the participation of Israeli Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon in the Wye talks was reassuring. "Sharon is very strong. He will insist that Israel maintain the land necessary for security."
Joan Frazer, another Phoenix JNF leader, said she was impressed with the prince's sincerity and obvious understanding of the issues. Steve Scheiner, president of the local JNF chapter, noted the prince's passion for the issues and his understanding of the need for a regional peace.
Twenty-five Arizonans participated in the three-day conference, "Breathing New Life into the Desert," focusing on critical issues relating to JNF's commitment to developing Israel's land, water resources and infrastructure.
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