Some 27 Jordanian parliamentarians loom to vote no confidence for his government; Abu al-Ragheb: we are committed to Iraq

The Jordanian Prime minister Ali Abul Ragheb has stressed in the ministerial statement which he proposed yesterday to the new parliament to win confidence over his new government to "support and protect" the democratic march which started in Jordan in 1989.

He also stressed his government's determination to "develop historical relations with Israel," calling for the withdrawal of the American- British forces from Iraq "as soon as possible" and the "establishment of an Iraqi national government." He vowed "to continue work with brothers and friends in order to implement the roadmap, at the security level.. in a way guarantees the foundation of a Palestinian state in 2005."

Abul Ragheb also vowed to establish an e-government very soon to modernize operations, but he admitted that the economic difficulties Jordan faces and its debts which surpass 7.1 billion dollars and the scarcity of water resources in the country constitute "an important challenge."

Abul Ragheb added that his government is "determined and committed to develop historical relations and enhancing its economic relations with Iraq," as the most important trade partner for Jordan. He vowed that his government will exert all "its potentials with brothers and friends in the world in order to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity and sovereignty and non- intervention in its internal affairs and ensuring the withdrawal of foreign forces from it very soon and enabling the brotherly Iraqi people to attain self- determination."

Abul Ragheb also expressed Jordan's hope to that the "establishment of a transitional governing council in Iraq will be conducive to the foundation of an Iraqi national government, according to a constitution accepted and ratified by the Iraqi people and that this government will be authentic inside and outside Iraq."

The Jordanian prime minister also vowed that the "The cause of Palestine will be the top priority for Jordan" and his government to continue support for the peaceful march between Israel and the Arab states and to work with "brothers and friends in order to implement the roadmap without any amendments in a way to ensure the establishment of a Palestinian state in 2005 with East Jerusalem as capital."

Abul Ragheb said that the Middle East peace process should be conducive to "ending the Israeli occupation to all occupied Arab lands in 1967 including the occupied Syrian Golan heights and other Lebanese occupied lands in line with the international resolutions and the Arab peace initiative." Abul Ragheb had formed his new government, of 29 ministers, in July following general elections that took place in Jordan on June 1st and resulted in great victory for tribal and middle political spectrum elements, which are in support of the King. A matter which, according to observers, will enable the prime minister to get the confidence of the majority of the parliamentarians that might reach 85 voted of the total 110 members of parliament.

The chairman of the "Islamic action front" at the council Azzam al-Huneidi announced that the front's parliamentarians, 17 members, will not vote confidence for Abul Ragheb government. Observers expect other 10 parliamentarians of independent, Islamists, and of national and leftist inclination to also vote against giving confidence to Abul Ragheb government. Member of the council will hold plenary debate on the ministerial statement for several days before voting it.