Jordan Times
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Gov't to respond to deputies' queries on research centre
By Alia Shukri Hamzeh
AMMAN — Government Spokesperson and Minister of State Asma Khader on Monday said the Cabinet would present Parliament with its official response to questions posed over a joint Jordanian-Israeli scientific venture, noting that the issue would have to go through the constitutional channels.“The memo is currently with the House speakership and according to the Constitution, the House holds the right to look into the matter,” she told a press conference.
Her remarks were made in answer to reporters' queries on a motion by 20 Lower House deputies calling for a no-confidence vote for three Cabinet members who participated in last week's Wadi Araba launch ceremony of the “Bridging the Rift” centre.
A confrontation between deputies and government officials over the centre during Sunday's session ended with a mass walkout by deputies. The MPs requested dedicating a session to discussing a no-confidence vote against Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Bassem Awadallah, Minister of Education Khalid Touqan and Minister of Higher Education Issam Zabalawi. They criticised the officials for joining “symbols of Jewish terrorism headed by [Benjamin] Netanyahu.” They also accusing the government of hiding facts from citizens by withholding news of the centre's establishment till the last minute. The government however, defended its position saying the centre was a result of past obligations and came after extensive studies.
The $600 million centre has the backing of Israeli, Jordanian and American businesspeople, as well as Cornell and Stanford universities in the US.
During her weekly briefing, Khader unveiled a proposed draft amendment to the current Press and Publications Law (PPL), and called on members of the media to study the legislation and provide the government with feedback. The draft law is yet to be endorsed by the Cabinet and later presented to the Lower House of Parliament.
The draft law, expected to reflect greater freedom of expression and openness in the media sector, bans the incarceration of journalists who violate the law and protects their right to freely report on all issues of concern. Several journalists have been arrested under Article 150 of the controversial amended Penal Code, which was passed in October 2001.
The article, which had imposed tougher penalties for press violations including fines of up to JD5,000, prison sentences ranging from three months to three years and the temporary or permanent closure of a publication, was scrapped last year. According to Khader, proposed amendments to the PPL include protecting journalists from interference or external pressure and guaranteeing journalists the right to practise their profession freely. It also ensures they maintain secrecy of sources and obliges the government to present information within 24 hours in cases of emergency and two weeks under normal circumstances.
The draft law also allows for speedy court proceedings and grants reporters the right to delegate lawyers to attend court sessions on their behalf. Khader said the draft also grants journalists the right to attend public meetings and cover court and Parliament sessions, unless they were secret. The law also paves the way for setting up a press and publications regulatory body tasked with encouraging investments in the sector.
The law also bans any form of pre-censorship on publications and manuscripts.
Journalists' initial reaction to the draft appeared sceptical as many indicated that most of the mentioned articles had already been stated in previous laws. Those attending the briefing demanded concrete action and guarantees to ensure freedom of expression.
Khader, however, indicated that the ball was in the media corps' court and that the government was open to all suggestions. She also said the government was open to remarks or recommendations on amendments to other controversial laws such as the Elections Law.
In answer to a question on the possibility of reintroducing to student council elections, Khader said the regulation was being considered.
Prime Minister Faisal Fayez recently announced that the government was considering the option of making voting compulsory for all eligible balloters as part of efforts to increase public participation and activate the silent and passive majority.
Also yesterday, Khader announced that there were seven Jordanian detainees at the US-controlled Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba.
Khader said Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher was exerting great efforts to check on their condition and ensure that they are treated in a manner that coincides with international law.
She said they were arrested in the aftermath of the war on Afghanistan, but did not elaborate.