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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Jordan Islamists to boycott dialogue with govt |
| 2011-03-17 |
| [Arab News] Jordan's main opposition group, the Moslem Brüderbund movement, said Tuesday that it had decided not to take part in the national dialogue proposed by the government, insisting that King Abdallah be the "reference" for any discussion relating to political reforms. The boycott decision was taken by a joint meeting of the executive bureaus of the Brotherhood and its political arm, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), a statement said. "The reference should be His Majesty the King and not the government" of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit, the statement added. Bakhit on Monday named a 53-member National Dialogue Committee and tasked it with the adoption of political, economic and social reforms, foremost the drafting of an election law and a political parties law. The body included three prominent, but moderate, leaders of the Islamic movement--former Brotherhood leader Abdul Majeed Thuneibat, former IAF Secretary General Ishaq Farhan and current chairman of the IAF Consultative Council Abdullateef Arabiyyat. "The panel's reference and structure fail to live up to the minimum of our demands," the statement said. The Brotherhood and the IAF also demanded that the national dialogue's agenda includes items such as "constitutional reforms and the annulment of all amendments introduced into the 1952 constitution in such a manner that ensures circulation of power and the formation of governments with majorities at the parliament". The statement accused the government of adopting tactics to "silence the voices calling for reforms and stopping the popular mobility which is indicative of the people's awareness". The Brotherhood also accused the government of "mobilizing its employees and favorites, carrying them in public transport vehicles and encouraging them to threaten national symbols. " The statement referred to local media reports that the IAF Secretary General Hamzeh Mansour had received threats from "mobs" for obstructing reforms proposed by the government and for suggesting that the country be turned into a constitutional monarchy, which implies curtailing the king's powers. According to security sources, heavy security measures were taken over the past couple of days to protect Mansour and his family members. Leaders of the Islamic movement were also the target for verbal attacks by participants in massive rally on Saturday that sought to express allegiance for the king. Meanwhile, ...back at the fistfight... five small opposition parties have issued a joint statement criticizing the structure of the national dialogue body and calling for their leaders to be included in the committee. |
| Posted by:Fred |