By Eun-Kyung Kim
Associated Press
WASHINGTON – On the anniversary of the Palestinian uprising against Israel, King Abdullah II of Jordan met with President Bush to support the U.S. counterterrorism campaign and to urge Bush to take a more active role in resolving violence in the Middle East.
“It’s in difficult times like this that true friends must stand with each other,” Abdullah said during an Oval Office meeting with Bush. “And we’ll be by your side, and we’ll be there to support you. And I’m here to see what we can do to help.”
Bush called Jordan “a strong friend of America.”
“I have assured His Majesty that our war is against evil, not against Islam,” the president said. “There are thousands of Muslims who proudly call themselves Americans, and they know what I know, that the Muslim faith is based upon peace and love and compassion, the exact opposite of the teachings of the al-Qaida organization.”
Abdullah met a day earlier with Secretary of State Colin Powell as the Bush administration courted Islamic support for its campaign against terrorism. Powell also met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.
The administration picked up words of support Thursday from Europe. Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, the current head of the European Union, visited Bush at the White House and outlined EU’s plans. Later, to reporters, Verhofstadt said “we want to participate in these actions” but urged that Bush keep them focused.
Saudi Arabia has signaled its approval for U.S. troops and planes to use the nation as a staging ground for military action against Osama bin Laden and the terrorist-sheltering Taliban regime in Afghanistan. U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity Friday, said they have received tacit assurances that Saudi Arabia will allow U.S. troops to use a command center at Prince Sultan Air Base.
And, in the latest example of turning former adversaries into allies, the Bush administration disclosed that Sudan has quietly rounded up as many as 30 foreign extremists since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
U.S. officials, who spoke on condition they not be identified, said none of the detained foreigners is believed to have been involved in the suicide hijackings that left more than 6,000 people dead or missing.
Some may have had previous ties to bin Laden, the man the United States considers the prime suspect, the U.S. officials said.
Sudan, which is on the State Department’s list of terrorist nations, has not announced the roundup of suspects. On Friday, the U.N. Security Council lifted 5-year-old sanctions against Sudan after getting the green light from the United States.
Arab support is crucial to nurturing an international alliance against terror, and Abdullah’s visit to Washington comes at a time of good feeling between the United States and Jordan.
The Senate this week approved an agreement reached last fall that effectively removes all trade barriers with Jordan. Bush quietly signed it Friday morning, and he later gave Abdullah the pen he used to sign the measure.
Abdullah did not speak with reporters after his 40-minute session Thursday with Powell at the State Department. The secretary spoke, however, after meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Cem, who backed the anti-terrorism coalition headed by the United States.
Powell mentioned specifically Turkey’s willingness to allow American military aircraft to use Turkish airspace.
“I know that in the days ahead, as our campaign against terrorism unfolds, we will be able to count on the support and active assistance of our Turkish friends,” Powell said.
Cem said he was pleased that the U.S. government is doing its utmost “to bring this fight against terrorists to its end.”
Powell also gave assurances that the administration is deeply engaged in the Middle East peace process despite its recent shift of focus.
He said that despite the current focus on international terror, the United States recognizes its global responsibilities. Giving priority to one subject, Powell said, “does not mean we can ignore all the others.”
Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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