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Jordan’s King Vows to Transform Jordan
Jordan’s King Abdullah II pledged Monday to transform his nation into a model democratic state that can serve as an example to other Middle East nations.
"Yeah, we’re goin’ to do Arab Islamic democracry right! Just as soon as we figure out some basic concepts, like how I can still be king."
In his annual speech to Parliament, Abdullah urged lawmakers to join in turning Jordan into a state ``based on justice, under the sovereignty of the law, political pluralism and respect of citizen’s rights.’’ The monarch said he envisioned a new Jordan that embodies the ``bright and truthful image of the faith and practices of Islam ... in order to promote Jordan as a civilized model for tolerance, freedom of thought, creativity and excellence.’’
Nothing there about freedom of religion.
Abdullah said administrative and judicial reforms were needed to combat nepotism, corruption and bureaucracy.
Isn’t a monarchy basically incompatible with combatting nepotism?
He said he also sought wider participation of women, youth and political parties in decision-making, as well as a stronger and more independent media. ``Women should be provided with all the necessary capabilities and due rights in order to ensure their full participation in the political, economic and social life,’’ he said.
"Noor! Where’s my supper, dammit!"
That was an apparent rebuke of Parliament, which has twice since its June election rejected state bills proposing wider freedoms for women, including the right to file for divorce. Lawmakers, who are mostly of conservative tribal background, have argued that such moves encourage vice and damage the fabric of Jordan’s male-dominated society.
"We can’t have the brazen hussies file for divorce! That would leave some of us pashas men with fewer than the alloted four wives each!"
Jordan already is a freer society than many in the Middle East; the media can occasionally criticize the government, polite anti-government rallies are usually but not always allowed and women can vote and take public posts in the kitchen. The king still has absolute authority, however, and can dismiss Parliament at will. In his 20-minute speech, the king pledged to press ahead with reforms initiated by his late father, King Hussein, in 1989. The reforms brought the first parliamentary elections after a 22-year gap, the revival of a multiparty system banned since an attempted leftist coup in 1956, and the abrogation of emergency laws which had existed since the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
Notice how the writer failed to mention a certain month, hmmm, ... September, wasn’t it?
Posted by: Steve White 2003-12-02
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=22073