Jordanian king vows democratic progress
Jordan, Politics, 12/2/2003

Jordan's King Abdullah II vowed to achieve justice in Palestine and Iraq so that the people of the two countries would enjoy freedom and self determination, in remarks to the bed of tensions to the east and west of the kingdom.

This was expressed in the al-Arash ( Monarch) speech, before the first Ummah council in its parliamentarians ( the commons ) an al-Ayan ( upper house), in which he concentrated on internal affairs.

The efforts to rescue the Palestinian- Israeli track, and rapidness in transferring the rule to the Iraqis, will be the forefront of talks to be held by the Jordanian King Abdullah on Tuesday in London with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and two days later in Washington with the US President George W. Bush.

King Abdullah, 42 year old, in his speech before 110 members of parliament ( common house ) and 55 members in al-Ayan ( upper house ), called for accelerating the process of social, economic and political reforms. He also vowed to protect democracy and preserve public freedoms on the ground of equality. He also urged the consolidation of partnership between the public and private sectors.

Talking about the efforts to enhance democracy, the Jordanian king called for "opening up a national dialogue that paves the way for convening a national conference to debate various economic, social, and political issues and finding out solutions." King Abdullah also stressed the need for developing the judicial authority, noting the need to giving it "immunity, independence and neutrality" and supporting the media sector so as to be "a media in a modern state able to address national issues in an atmosphere of pluralism and responsible freedom."

In his speech which was transmitted live by the Jordanian TV, the King presented his own vision and the work-plan of his government which was formed in October and presided over by Faisal al-Fayez. He defined five priorities for the work of his government's work, including fighting of poverty, unemployment, political development, and enhancing the role of political parties, and the participation of women and youths in the political life.

Within this context, the king called on the government to increase income level, job opportunities, and fight unemployment and poverty. He called for the acceleration and development of educational curricula so as to cope with the requirements of the work market.

He also called on the government to create an atmosphere attractive to investments in the latest technologies with the aim of "accelerating the pace of development from a traditional economy to a modern based on science and knowledge and high productivity."

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