Trump Mideast Plan Is ‘Fairly Well Advanced,’ Tillerson Says Secretary of state, in Jordan to sign increased aid package, says president will decide when it is ready By Felicia Schwartz
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-to-increase-aid-to-jordan-despite-opposition-to-jerusalem-move-1518602434
Will this be another “peacemeal” destruction of Israel? rsk
AMMAN, Jordan—President Donald Trump’s plan for peace in the Middle East is “fairly well advanced,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday, offering a rare insight into progress on the administration’s proposal for solving the decades-old conflict.
The peace plan, being developed by the White House in a closely held process overseen by President Donald Trump’s aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner, has been on Mr. Tillerson’s agenda while traveling across the Middle East this week.
“I have seen the plan, the elements of the plan,” Mr. Tillerson said in Jordan. “It’s been under development for a number of months. I have consulted with them on the plan, identified areas that we feel need further work.” He added that “it will be up to the president to decide when he feels it’s time and he’s ready to put that plan forward.”
The U.S. is sharply at odds with Palestinian leaders after Mr. Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognizing the contested city as Israel’s capital. Palestinians have sought to replace the U.S. as a peace broker, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas plans to address the United Nations Security Council next week.
Mr. Tillerson spoke to reporters alongside Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, after the pair signed a new foreign-assistance agreement. Under the agreement, the U.S. will commit $1.275 billion a year to boost Jordan’s security and economy.
The U.S. made that commitment to Jordan in spite of a threat by President Donald Trump to cut aid to countries that opposed America’s move to declare Jerusalem Israel’s capital, a list of more than 100 countries that included Jordan.
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