Jordan Times
Thursday, May 31, 2007
PM urges Islamists to
'review performance’
AMMAN (Petra) — Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit on Wednesday called on the
country’s Islamist movement to “review its performance”, reiterating that the
group was “never targeted”.
“The government deals equally with all parties and licensed political groups,”
Bakhit told leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood and its political arm the Islamic
Action Front at a Prime Ministry meeting.
“The government is keen to enhance the values of active participation and
constructive dialogue in order to enrich political life in Jordan and highlight
the values of the Jordanian state.”
The premier stressed the Islamist movement in the Kingdom “was never targeted”.
“This issue of targeting [the Islamists] is merely election propaganda that is
being marketed now,” he said.
“The Islamist movement should review its performance and reexamine statements by
some of its leaders to decide whether they are in harmony with the traditions of
the Jordanian political life and the political legacy of the movement.”
Bakhit said “escalating rhetoric and throwing accusations do not serve the
Islamist movement’s image and role in public life”.
“At the same time, this does not create pressure on the government, which is
working to safeguard the Constitution.”
He stressed that the Constitution protects political parties’ rights to
participate in parliamentary and municipal elections.
“But the legitimacy of elections does not depend on the participation of a
political group or another,” the prime minister said.
“Some leaders in the movement cast doubts on the polls ahead of electoral
process, and this is an unacceptable accusation.”
Bakhit said the government “is keen to see the Islamist movement maintain its
status as a key part of the national fabric”.
He urged the movement to “take a clear position on [its] unusual statements”.
Meanwhile, Muslim Brotherhood overall leader Salem Falahat praised the meeting.
“The movement rejects any offence against the country and stands firmly against
character assassination.”
For his part, Abdul Majid Thneibat, the movement’s former leader, reiterated
that the country’s security and stability is of “paramount importance”.
Former secretary general of the Islamic Action Front Abdul Latif Arabiyat said
dialogue between the government and the group should be maintained.
Minister of Public Sector Reform and State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs
Mohammad Thneibat, Minister of Municipal Affairs Nader Thuheirat, Interior
Minister Eid Fayez and Government Spokesperson Nasser Judeh attended the
meeting.
Other Islamist leaders, including Azzam Hneidi, Zaki Bani Irsheid and Jamil Abu
Baker, stressed the need to preserve “national fundamentals”.