Jordan Times
Friday, July 28, 2006
National consensus
established on key issues — King
By Mahmoud Al Abed
DEAD SEA — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday
announced a decision to establish the “We are All Jordan Commission,” to follow
up on recommendations set by the “We are All Jordan” Forum, which concluded
yesterday.
In his speech at the closing session of the forum, the King said: “In response
to your request, a commission will be set up that includes representatives from
government institutions and civil society.”
He stressed that the We are All Jordan Commission “will be an advisory body
whose work will not transgress constitutional institutions.”
“This advisory body will present periodical reports on the work being done and
measure progress,” said the King.
The forum started Wednesday with two days of closed-door meetings to discuss six
major topics: The Palestine issue, political reform, external challenges,
enhancing the internal front, economic reform and social security.
Fourteen issues came under these wider categories, all selected democratically
by 700 hand-picked leaders representing Jordanian society during a July 12
preparatory meeting.
Participants included Cabinet ministers, senators, deputies, private sector,
media and civil society representatives, political party leaders and youth
representatives.
The King praised their performance and spirit of teamwork exhibited during the
forum.
“They succeeded in achieving the objective of the forum, namely, a national
consensus on unchangeable established principles, coming up with a comprehensive
unified vision, defining the themes that we should prioritise,” said the King.
To ensure the success of the action plan, panellists defined a group of draft
laws to be given priority when Parliament meets for an extraordinary session,
the date of which has yet to be specified.
The draft laws include the anti-corruption commission law, anti-terror law and
the laws that govern mosque preaching and iftaa (issuance of religious edicts),
among others.
On the political level, priority will be given to the new Elections Law,
Municipal Elections Law, Press and Publications Law, Right to Access Information
Law, the draft anti-money laundering law, financial disclosure law, and the law
governing the work of the National Human Rights Centre.
The King said political reform is aimed at preserving national unity and
enhancing the concept of Jordan as a country that reflects the moderate,
mainstream Islam and believes in peace, coexistence, tolerance and intellectual
and political pluralism.
Regarding economic reform, there was focus on a proposed new Tax Law, which, the
communiqué said, should address the shortcomings in previous such legislations
and ensure justice for all citizens.
Meanwhile, the panellists agreed with the government approach that tackling
poverty should come in the form of direct allowances to the poor.
The alternative, they said, would be a sustainable programme that invests in the
potential of the family and the surrounding environment through training,
education and sound medical care.
On the Palestinian question, participants insisted that any solution to the
Middle East conflict should not come at the expense of Jordan, which should have
a say in the final status issues such as the refugee problem and Jerusalem.
“The only solution to the Palestinian problem is through the establishment of an
independent and viable Palestinian state on the basis of international
resolutions.”