Jordan Times
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Reform process requires
unified vision — King
By Mahmoud Al Abed
DEAD SEA — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday
called for a consensus on national priorities in order to build a better future
for Jordan.
In remarks at the inauguration of the “We are All Jordan Forum,” the King said:
“I have placed great hopes in this forum, and I hope that by the end of the
forum tomorrow we will have reached a consensus on national principles and one
national vision.”
This plan of action, he said, should be in line with draft legislation currently
awaiting deliberation when Parliament reconvenes for an extraordinary session.
No date has so far been set for the extraordinary session, when lawmakers will
discuss new legislation designed to push the reform process forward.
“It is important that we all agree on laws that are necessary to safeguard the
nation and accelerate economic and political reforms,” the King said.
The forum started yesterday with closed-door meetings to discuss six major
topics: The Palestine issue, political reform, external challenges, enhancing
the internal front, economic reform and social security.
Participants included Cabinet ministers, senators, deputies, private sector,
media and civil society representatives, political party leaders and youth
representatives.
They are expected to draft a final communiqué today, followed by concluding
remarks by the Monarch.
Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit yesterday made a presentation of how his government
envisions the reform process.
Bakhit stressed that the term “national security” is an all-inclusive concept
that covers everything starting from safeguarding the country’s borders to
external relations, health, commerce, education and other aspects of life.
Following the premier’s presentation, the heads of the six topic groups briefed
the audience on the key points of discussion, highlighting the current and
future challenges and recommendations on how best to overcome them.
King Abdullah urged the participants to discard “formalities, appeasement and
personal agendas,” when discussing the topics at hand.
“The challenge laid before us in this meeting is extraordinary, and requires all
of us to work with a team spirit, guided by a sense of responsibility and
national duty to our homeland, eschewing personal interests,” said the King.
Forum participants convened earlier in the month to outline the main areas for
discussion.
They were asked to prioritise, and voted for, what they saw as the country’s 15
most urgent issues out of a list of 30.
“We are all Jordan” is not aimed at bypassing any other institution in Jordan,
the King told the audience at the opening of the preparatory meeting.