Jordan Times
Wednesday, April 12, 2005
National Agenda government
framework — King
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday said reform guidelines and
programmes to be set by the anticipated National Agenda will be the government's
framework.
King Abdullah told top parliamentarians at a Royal Court meeting that future
laws to regulate political and social life will be based on the Steering
Committee for the National Agenda's recommendations and guidelines.
“When the committee was formed [in February], we made sure that it represents
the political spectra,” the King told Senate President Zeid Rifai and Lower
House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali, as well as heads of parliamentary blocs and
committees.
The 26-member panel, which groups former ministers, politicians, academics and
businesspeople, was tasked with setting the guidelines, programmes, strategies
and policies for development and reform during the coming decade — to which
successive governments should be committed.
At yesterday's meeting, King Abdullah underlined the need for coordination
between the government and the Parliament, stressing the importance of working
as one team for a better future.
The Monarch said parliamentarians should be kept abreast of government visions
and decisions.
“The government cannot work alone... the people's representatives have a great
responsibility of backing government plans to achieve development,” he said.
“The formation of the new government, led by Dr Adnan Badran, was part of our
efforts to continue development and build on achievements by previous
governments.” Badran and Royal Court Minister Marwan Muasher attended the
meeting.
“We chose Dr Badran because we were confident of his belief in reform,
experience and knowledge,” the King added.
Improving living standards, alleviating poverty and reducing unemployment should
top the government's priorities, the King reiterated.
Meanwhile, Majali said the statement signed by 40 deputies expressing
“dissatisfaction” with the formation of the government was based on “their
opinions on how to better serve the Kingdom and the national march under His
Majesty's leadership.”
Deputy Atef Tarawneh, one of the 40, said on Tuesday the signatories are to meet
today on the King's directives, reform plans, political vision and the House's
role.
“Some deputies see a clear shortcoming in the mechanism of the government's
formation and this should be addressed,” the House speaker told the meeting.
“They believe that political reform means a wider public participation.”
He said some MPs believe that, in principle, the formation of the government
should be accepted by the majority of the House, adding that geographic
representation “seems to be a requirement, especially under the current
circumstances and political developments in the region.”
Majali said other deputies, however, believe that the House should “wait to hear
the government's policy statement and programmes before taking stands against
it.”