Jordan Times
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Jordan praises referendum turnout
AMMAN (JT) — The government on Monday praised the
large Iraqi turnout in the weekend vote on a new constitution regardless of the
results, saying it was the right step to consolidate democracy in the
neighbouring country.
“The large turnout is extremely favourable, no matter if the Iraqi vote is a
`Yes' or `No',” Deputy Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson Marwan Muasher
was quoted by Agence France-Presse as saying at a news conference.
“It is extremely important for us to see the Iraqi people taking part in
deciding their fate.”
Muasher noted that following Saturday's referendum, the Iraqi people will be
called to cast their ballots again in mid-December to elect a new assembly.
“Jordan encourages participation in the upcoming elections and urges all the
Iraqi people to take part,” he added.
Over 60 per cent of the 15.5 million electorate were estimated to have cast
their ballots in the largely peaceful referendum.
Electoral officials said that an initial forecast of the result might be
available within two days, with an unofficial tally on Thursday and a final
announcement on October 24, though that time frame could change.
Muasher stressed Jordan's support for Arab League efforts to bring the views of
various Iraqi powers closer. He said the last-minute amendments to the
constitution aimed at alleviating the concerns of the Sunni Arab minority were a
“positive sign.”
Meanwhile, Muasher yesterday cast doubts on the recent UN report on the
oil-for-food programme, which accused Jordanian figures of involvement in
related violations.
An independent probe led by Paul Volcker claimed that Jordan received illegal
oil shipments from Iraq during the 1996-2003 humanitarian programme. It also
said that former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein issued oil vouchers for several
people outside Iraq, including Jordanians.
Muasher said the findings of the report “raise question marks,” the Jordan News
Agency, Petra, reported.
He stressed that all oil deals Jordan concluded with Iraq were legal and
conducted with the consent of the UN.
In a related development, the deputy premier rejected as baseless reports that
Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Chalabi, who was convicted in Jordan for
embezzlement, is among delegates accompanying Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari in
his upcoming visit to Amman. The visit will be dedicated to discuss Iraq's
frozen assets in Jordan, trade exchange and an Iraqi oil deal. Its date was not
set yet.