Jordan's foreign minister today credited US President George Bush with breaking new and encouraging ground in his Mideast diplomacy.
More than five times during a 30 minute White House meeting with three Arab foreign ministers the US president said he was committed to a Palestinian state within three years, Mr Marwan Muasher said.
"The solid commitment to three years is new," said Mr Muasher.
Clearly pleased with the session, as the two other Arab ministers said they were, Mr Muasher said Mr Bush also called for a halt to construction of Israeli settlements on the West Bank, even before the issue was raised by them.
Mr Bush is the first US president to publicly support a Palestinian state. He suggested it be a provisional one. But, Mr Muasher said, that is unacceptable and Mr Bush now is talking in terms of a permanent state.
And, Mr Muasher said, "today the United States is asking for the end of occupation and a Palestinian state within three years, and that is different."
Apart from their dispute over Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, the Bush administration and the leaders of Arab governments are finding more common ground in their approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
AFP