Jordan Times
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Jordan deserves additional assistance Hale
Jordan deserves additional support to help it cope with the pressures placed on its infrastructure and services by the hundreds of
thousands of Iraqis living in the country, US Ambassador in Amman David Hale said Monday.
"There is no question that the Iraqis in Jordan put a burden on the country's social service systems, water system, education and
healthcare systems. Without question, Jordan deserves additional assistance to help it face this issue. The US will definitely be ready to
provide additional funds," Hale told reporters and chief editors of local dailies on the occasion of American Independence Day, July 4.
Preliminary estimates recently released by the Interior Ministry indicate that Iraqi nationals in the Kingdom are costing the state budget
some $1 billion a year.
According to the 2007 budget, capital expenditure (mostly spending on infrastructure) is expected to exceed JD1 billion for the first time,
whereas current expenditure was forecast at JD3.3 billion.
Stressing his country's continued support to the Kingdom, Hale stressed that the US will continue exerting efforts to help Jordan in this
regard.
"We will be certainly doing what we can to help, guided by your government, in what is needed and where we need to provide those funds," he
told the press.
There are an estimated 750,000 to one million Iraqis in Jordan. Final figures are expected to be released when FAFO a Norwegian agency
contracted to conduct a survey on Iraqis in the Kingdom defines the exact number and identifies their living conditions, financial status
and needs. The study is expected to be completed this month.
The United Nations estimates that some two million of Iraqs 26 million population have left the country since the 2003 US invasion while
another 1.7 million have fled their homes for safer areas within Iraq.
Commending the ties between the two countries in the various fields, Hale said the US will continue supporting Jordan in its reform and
development efforts.
"Jordan is one of the largest recipients of US assistance and that is a reflection of the very strong bipartisan support to Jordan and
regard for it. It is an understanding of and sympathy for the situation you are in, the US ambassador said.
"Our budget is under pressure and it has been cut and the fact that Jordan has retained high levels is a reflection of the very strong
support Jordan has," he added.
US assistance to the Kingdom this year stands at some $450 million in economic and military aid.
"Jordanian exports are well over $1 billion and the Kingdom ranks 70th in terms of trade with the US, which is, compared to Jordan's size,
quite remarkable," the ambassador said.
Meanwhile, His Majesty King Abdullah sent a cable of congratulations to US President George W. Bush on the occasion of Independence Day.
According to the Hale, some 800 young people have been invited to attend the embassy's Independence Day celebrations today.