Jordanian King Puts Off Meeting Bush Over Israel

[G_j]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/20/politics/20DIPL.html?th=&pagewanted=print&position=

April 20, 2004

Jordanian King Puts Off Meeting Bush Over Israel

By STEVEN R. WEISMAN

WASHINGTON, April 19 — King Abdullah of Jordan dealt a rebuff to President Bush on Monday, abruptly putting off his visit to Washington scheduled for later this week. Jordanian officials said the visit had become impossible in light of Mr. Bush's recent support for Israel's territorial claims in the West Bank.

A statement from Jordan said the king, who was in California on Monday and went home rather than to Washington, would not meet with Mr. Bush this week as planned.

It said the meeting would wait "until discussions and deliberations are concluded with officials in the American administration to clarify the American position on the peace process and the final situation in the Palestinian territories, especially in light of the latest statements by officials in the American administration."

A Jordanian official said the statement, in deliberately cool tones, was meant to send a message of displeasure.
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[revcarol]

1. Smart man.

Knows he would be Bush's patsy and elects not to do so.

Musharraf is in the same position. Bush had him over here to make sure M. would help enforce Israel's plan. M. issued non-committal statement. Bet he felt trapped.