"Bad things will happen," he warns bluntly
Sets a maximum 15-day deadline for talks
Nine Peace Committee members donate over 10 trillion won
Announces deployment of military and police for peacekeeping
Trump poses for a commemorative photo with attendees of the Peace Committee meeting. Photo by AP/Yonhap
"There is nothing more important than peace, and nothing cheaper than peace."
At the first board meeting of the Peace Committee, which was established to maintain peace and rebuild the Gaza Strip, U.S. President Donald Trump strongly pressured Iran to return to the nuclear negotiation table.
On the 19th (local time), presiding over the Peace Committee's first meeting at the "Donald Trump Peace Institute" in Washington, D.C., President Trump said, "What we want is very simple peace."
He stressed, "There is nothing more important than peace, and nothing cheaper than peace. If you go to war, it costs 100 times more than what it takes to make peace."
At a forum emphasizing peace, he pressures 'Iran' to return to talks
At this gathering convened to maintain peace in the Middle East, President Trump mentioned Iran and strongly pressed it to return to the nuclear negotiation table. "We must reach a meaningful agreement with Iran. Otherwise, bad things will happen," he said.
He then referred to the surprise strike on Iran's nuclear facilities using the United States' state-of-the-art military weaponry last June, saying, "Now we may have to take one step further, or we may not," and added, "We will probably reach an agreement. You will probably know the outcome within the next ten days."
This appears to refer to the U.S. military attack on Iran last June. At that time, the United States, together with Israel, carried out localized airstrikes for 12 days on Iran's nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow.
President Trump again brought up nuclear negotiations with Iran aboard Air Force One while traveling from Washington, D.C. to Georgia. He said, "We will get the negotiations done one way or another," adding that 10 to 15 days would be enough time. By doing so, he effectively presented a concrete timetable while demanding that Iran return to the nuclear talks.
When reporters asked about his remark that "bad things could happen to Iran," he replied, "I will not say," but added, "Ten days would be enough for the negotiation deadline. About 15 days is almost the maximum."
Over 10 trillion won donated by 9 countries... Some also dispatch peacekeeping personnel
On this day, the Peace Committee was created as the highest decision-making body that will in effect govern the Middle East until the war in the Gaza Strip ends and reconstruction is completed. Because of this, there had been concern that President Trump set up the Peace Committee to keep the United Nations (UN) in check, and some countries were reluctant to join. In reality, there are only 27 member states. South Korea also attended only as a non-member "observer."
Regarding the Peace Committee, President Trump said, "I think it is the most consequential committee in terms of power and stature. There has never been a committee of this stature, because the greatest world leaders have gathered," adding, "Almost everyone has accepted, and those who have not yet accepted will also join."
Addressing several countries that were skeptical about participating in the Peace Committee, President Trump also sent a warning, saying, "You can't play cute with me," telling them not to evade participation in a clever way.
Along with this, President Trump announced that nine Peace Committee member countries participating in humanitarian aid and reconstruction for the Gaza Strip - Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait - had donated more than 7 billion dollars (about 10 trillion won).
He said, "Japan has just pledged to host a fundraising event for aid funds, and it will be a very big event," adding, "Other countries in the region such as South Korea, the Philippines, and Singapore will participate. I think China and Russia will also participate."
He also said, "I am pleased to announce that the F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) will help raise a total of 7.5 billion dollars for the Gaza Strip project," and added that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is also raising 2 billion dollars.
President Trump in particular stated that the United States would donate 10 billion dollars (about 14 trillion won) to the Peace Committee, stressing, "That amount is very small. Compared with the cost of war, it is the cost of two weeks of fighting. It sounds like a lot, but it is a very small amount."
In addition, he announced that Indonesia, Morocco, Albania, Kosovo, and Kazakhstan would dispatch International Stabilization Force (ISF) troops and police personnel to ensure the safety of residents and maintain peace during the cease-fire and reconstruction transition period in the Gaza Strip.
President Trump also said, "Egypt and Jordan are likewise providing very substantial assistance, including troops, training, and support, for a very reliable Palestinian police force." He then added, "I am pleased to announce that Norway has agreed to host an event to bring the Peace Committee together."
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