Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN7874
2003-12-03 17:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

KING ABDULLAH OPENS PARLIAMENT WITH SPEECH

Tags:  PGOV KDEM ECON JO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 007874 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2013
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ECON JO
SUBJECT: KING ABDULLAH OPENS PARLIAMENT WITH SPEECH
EMPHASIZING REFORM; NEW SPEAKER CHOSEN BY ACCLAMATION

REF: A. AMMAN 07805


B. AMMAN 06812

C. AMMAN 06491

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires David Hale for Reasons 1.5 (B,D)

-------
SUMMARY
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 007874

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2013
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ECON JO
SUBJECT: KING ABDULLAH OPENS PARLIAMENT WITH SPEECH
EMPHASIZING REFORM; NEW SPEAKER CHOSEN BY ACCLAMATION

REF: A. AMMAN 07805


B. AMMAN 06812

C. AMMAN 06491

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires David Hale for Reasons 1.5 (B,D)

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (U) King Abdullah inaugurated December 1 the regular
session of the 14th Jordanian Parliament with a speech
detailing his vision for the country. The King called for
both political and economic development, including an
emphasis on democracy and transparency, closely echoing his
October 23 public letter outlining the goals for his new
government. Following the speech, former government minister
Abdul Hadi Majali was elected speaker of the Lower House
without opposition. End Summary.

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ROYAL PRONOUNCEMENT
--------------


2. (U) King Abdullah opened the 14th Jordanian Parliament's
"ordinary session" on December 1 amidst much fanfare. The
Parliament had previously held an "extraordinary session"
from July 16 to September 28 (see ref c). After a thunderous
21-gun salute and shouts of "Long live the King!" from East
Bank tribesmen, the King delivered the traditional Speech
from the Throne before the joint houses of Parliament,
members of the royal family, government officials, foreign
dignitaries and the press.


3. (U) At the outset of his 25 minute speech, the King
called for Jordan to become "a model of a democratic Arab
Islamic State, based on justice, under the sovereignty of the
law, political pluralism and respect of citizens' rights."
He acknowledged the "vital and active legislative role" of
Parliament and his desire that it be a "legislative chamber
that distinguishes itself in its performance, and a source to
which our Government refers for assistance when it works out
its comprehensive plans and national programs." The King
challenged MPs to take a leading role in "combating
corruption, favoritism, and 'wasta'" and to put "the national
interest before all the personal interests of his/her
electoral precinct or those of his/her relatives and
acquaintances."


4. (U) The King said his overall goal for Jordan was
"comprehensive development" based on the following five

"foundations:" 1) a society built upon justice, equality,
transparency, respect for human rights, and the rule of law;
2) the guarantee of women's rights to ensure their
participation in all aspects of society, as well increased
attention to the country's youth; 3) a "culture of democracy"
with respect for the views of others and acceptance of
differences of opinions; 4) an independent and neutral
judiciary, along with a modern media sector operating in an
environment of "pluralism and responsible freedom;" and 5) a
"bold mentality that adopts radical changes in the modes of
thinking and the mechanics of decision-making."

-------------- -
DEVELOPING THE ECONOMY & CULTIVATING DEMOCRACY
-------------- -


5. (U) The King stated that his government would "work
relentlessly to raise the economic growth rate, provide work
opportunities for youth, and alleviate the problems of
poverty and unemployment." To achieve these goals, the King
proposed improved educational programs and stronger
coordination between the needs of the labor market and the
educational/vocational training systems. Recognizing the
leading role of the private sector in economic development,
the King called for "an investment environment capable of
attracting capital" which would aid in the transition from a
"traditional economy to a modern one based on science,
knowledge and productivity."


6. (U) The King declared that it was the duty of all sectors
of society, including civil society organizations, to create
"a radical, positive transformation in our democratization
process." He further noted that political parties with
"comprehensive, integrated national programs" were "vital and
necessary" for the country, and that these parties should be
established by "the grassroots," as opposed to "individuals
or groups that are brought together by transient interests."
The King acknowledged the legitimacy of opposition groups,
stating that, "We look forward to the day when nationalist
opposition parties that are loyal to Jordan will be partners
in making our national decisions."

-------------- --------------
PRAISE FOR SECURITY FORCES, SILENCE ON FOREIGN POLICY
-------------- --------------


7. (SBU) King Abdullah went out of his way to extol Jordan's
military and security forces, expressing "pride and
appreciation for their omnipresent role in defending the
Homeland," and stating that "our interest and care for them
shall continue to top our national priorities." The King
warned against "falsely charging these forces or belittling
their sacrifices" and pledged to modernize their capabilities
and improve their living conditions. These comments, an
apparent retort to criticism heard in Parliament last month
of the security services, prompted prolonged, pronounced
applause from security service dignitaries in the audience.


8. (C) In contrast to his trumpeting of domestic reforms,
the King paid scant attention to foreign policy matters. He
devoted only a few sentences to the subject at the end of his
address, most notably saying that Jordan would not spare any
effort "until justice has been achieved in Palestine and Iraq
and until the peoples of these two brotherly peoples enjoy
their independent free will."

--------------
AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THE PRESS
--------------


9. (C) Reactions to the King's speech in the local press
have been uniformly positive (consistent with decades' old
practice) with editorial writers commending King Abdullah for
trying to move the country in the right direction. Mixed in
with this praise, however, is a note of skepticism on whether
the King's vision will be implemented. As expressed in the
Arabic daily Al Arab Al Yawm, the speech needs "a serious
translation into reality," while another journalist wrote
"what remains is to translate the big titles into actual
policy and law."

--------------
SPEAKER CHOSEN BY ACCLAMATION
--------------


10. (U) Following the King's speech, the Lower House of
Parliament chose Abdul Hadi Majali (East Banker, Kerak - 2nd
District),the head of the conservative National Action Front
bloc, by acclamation as its Speaker. Majali, a previous
Lower House Speaker and former chief of the Public Security
Directorate and Minister of Public Works, ran uncontested
after his opponents dropped out of the Speaker's race one by
one during the last two weeks. Key to Majali's success was a
pledge of support from the Islamic Action Front (IAF),which
had previously backed incumbent Speaker Saad Hayel Srour.
Majali will serve a one-year term after which the Lower House
will elect a new Speaker.


11. (C) The choice of Majali, a traditionalist from a family
which has long served the security establishment, comes as no
great surprise from a Parliament structured to give primacy
to East Bank conservatives. However, his selection by the
House casts into sharp relief the gap between the liberal
rhetoric of the King and the conservative instincts of the
House.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


12. (C) The King's speech strongly parallels the contents of
his public letter of October 23 designating Faisal al-Fayez
as Prime Minister (see ref c). He has not backed away from
his previous call for deep-rooted political and economic
reform. The one noteworthy difference in the King's speech
is its unqualified support for the security forces. Given
reservations within the security apparatus about the wisdom
of empowering civil society and greater democracy, this may
have been included to assuage their concerns and reassure
them of their continued importance in government.


13. (C) Despite the speech's promise to "adopt a
comprehensively-planned, clearly-defined path to economic and
social reforms," the GOJ has yet to reveal a specific action
plan to achieve the King's lofty goals. As PM Fayez told A/S
Burns during their November 30 meeting (ref a),the GOJ will
first try to reach the broadest possible consensus for change
through its ongoing dialogue efforts before developing a plan
in the coming months.

Visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman or access the site
through the State Department's SIPRNET home page.
HALE