0
RIYADH, Feb 28: Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, who had an hour-long meeting with the visiting European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Wednesday, expects the Arab League summit to back the Arab-Israel peace plan that he forwarded recently.
He (Prince Abdullah) is fully determined to move forward with his ideas that he thinks may bring peace to the region. He is going to coordinate his ideas with other Arab countries and expects the Arab summit, to be held in Beirut late March, to approve those, Solana said after meeting Prince Abdullah.
“He was determined to push forward his ideas and would work with the Arab League to turn it into an initiative to be considered during the summit,” Cristina Gallach, Solana’s spokesperson told the press later.
The Saudi Crown Prince also asked for the EU’s support and Solana was reported here to have pledged it.
SAUDI PRESS: Saudi newspapers have dismissed the invitation extended to Prince Abdullah by the Israeli President on Monday to present his peace initiative as a “Zionist manoeuvre.”
“The Israelis, deeply embarrassed by the crown prince’s initiative and unprecedented support it has won, are trying to embarrass others and throw the ball out of their court,” a Saudi newspaper wrote.
“Such cheap one-upmanship will not impress anyone because Saudi Arabia is not the kind to go it alone,” the Saudi daily Al-Watan retorted.
Exchanges of visits can only take place “to consolidate accords that have already been concluded, not at the outset of an initiative on which the Israelis are yet to take a clear stand,” it said.
