Jordan Times
Sunday, January 29, 2006
'National Agenda's primary objective is to set stable policies'
AMMAN (JT) — Former deputy premier Marwan Muasher
said Friday the primary objective of the National Agenda is to formulate a
general framework that would stop fluctuations and irregularities in government
performance and set stable, flexible and modern policies for the next 10 years.
Speaking on Jordan Television's weekly programme “Sittoun Daqiqah” [60 Minutes],
Muasher, who headed the National Agenda Steering Committee through its
deliberations last year, said the document refers to four phases of
implementation, the first of which must “create a political foundation in the
country, including the Elections Law, and improvement of women's rights, the
media and civil society.”
Emphasising that the agenda did not set rules nor draft or endorse any
legislation, Muasher said the eight spheres of national interest in the
formulation of the agenda were political development, legislation and justice,
infrastructure, investment, financial reform, labour and vocational training,
education and higher education, and social welfare.
Muasher, who noted the National Agenda is available on http://nationalagenda.jo/,
said that what distinguishes this document from previous efforts, is that it was
connected to a clear mechanism of implementation.
“We do not give citizens promises without linking these promises to timeframes,
to know that we are on the right track, “Muasher told Jordan Television
anchorwoman Abeer Zaben.
“The agenda is not owned by a specific political or intellectual group. It was
prepared by members who represented Jordan's social spectrum and the steering
committee included several Jordanian groups including members of Parliament, the
government, the private sector, social groups and political parties,” he added.
The Steering Committee for the National Agenda was formed by a Royal Decree in
February last year and mandated to set guidelines for the country's advancement
in the social, economic and political arenas for the next decade.
Muasher denied “rumours” that the temporary Income Tax Law that was introduced
10 days prior to Parliament's opening on Dec.1, 2005 and was rejected by both
Houses of Parliament, was a product of the agenda.
“The agenda included general principles and recommendations but it did not draft
laws,” he reiterated.
When asked about the legitimacy of temporary laws, Muasher said the agenda
considers temporary laws “unconstitutional” as governments are to issue
temporary laws only in times of crisis, such as “disasters and wars.”
Around 208 temporary laws are currently on Parliament's agenda. Most have been
active for years because they were passed in the absence of Parliament during
the 2001 to 2003 hiatus.
Last month, the Lower House of Parliament rejected several temporary laws as
“unconstitutional.”
Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit has pledged that his government would refrain from
issuing temporary laws.
Appearing on the same programme Friday, Minister of Public Sector Reform Salem
Khazaaleh said, “the government needs to define priorities in accordance with
the National Agenda recommendations in order to begin implementing development
programmes.”
Last month, the government formed a ministerial committee headed by the premier
to study the recommendations of the National Agenda as well as the Regions
Committee report, in order to prepare their implementation.