Jordan Times
Friday - Saturday, November 9, 2001

'It is time that the anti-terror coalition works together as effectively as the terrorists do,' King tells British MPs

The Right Honourable Robin Cook,

My Lords,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for your warm welcome. It is an honour to be here today. Britain is known throughout the world as a model of open and democratic public life, and this parliament is the embodiment of that proud reputation. Your debates are justly famous...

I understand that I am the first head of state from the Arab Middle East to address members of parliament here. I am humbled by that fact. But I see it as a recognition, not of myself, but of our two nations' long friendship.

My late father, His Majesty King Hussein, led the way as a peace-maker and voice of moderation, in the Middle East. I am delighted to see so many of his friends here today.

Like so many nations around the world, your country and mine share important values, including respect for the rule of law, and the obligation to extend opportunity throughout society.

Jordan is a young nation, and a small nation. We are not blessed with vast mineral wealth. We lack many natural resources, even water. But we are blessed with a wealth of creative, energetic people. Jordan has a workforce that is now, per capita, more computer literate, and entrepreneurial and better educated than most of the developing countries.

And we are using what resources we do have to invest in Jordan's future. To help our students compete in a global economy, we are putting thousands more computers into the classrooms, and strengthening the curriculum with information technology and more English language classes.

The results of this investment are clear. Jordan's international human development ranking — a measure of how well we invest in social welfare, including our children — has improved. In turn, we've seen economic growth, greater exports, and an investment boom.

We, in Jordan, also take pride in our democracy and democratic institutions. Our first legislative council met in 1929 when Jordan was a British mandate. After independence, our Constitution was adopted, and a two-chamber legislature was established, not unlike your system.

We continue to develop and improve our public institutions. A new Elections Law that guarantees fair, free, and transparent elections, supervised by the judiciary, was recently announced. The law also provides for an increased number of constituencies, and seats, in the House. This has required new registration for the voters, and administrative arrangements, for delineating the boundaries of the new constituencies.

We expect all legal requirements to be completed within a few months, after which elections will be held. Jordan is committed to preserving, protecting and developing our democracy. And I am dedicated to ensuring that every Jordanian continues to enjoy his basic and inalienable human rights.

Thanks to these efforts, my country is in a good position to seize the opportunities of the new century... to create a better life for all Jordanians. That is my ultimate goal. And that is what I might have spoken about, here... had I spoken on Sept. 10.

The events of Sept. 11 have changed our world. My goals and your goals — peace and well-being for our peoples — are still the same. But the route we must travel to reach them must take account of new dangers on the road.

We now know how terrible was the toll of the Sept. 11 attack — not just for America, but for all of civilisation. Jordanians died, and, as you know, over a hundred Britons.

And along with you, Jordanian families watched... glued to their television screens... in horror, and grief.

We also know that the terrorists' real aim was not only physical destruction. They wanted to undermine and destroy the confidence, the close ties, and the security of people around the world.

If terrorists can undermine confidence in a secure future, economies cannot develop and grow. If murderers can do evil, and avoid justice, despair and cynicism flourish. That is the aim of the terrorists. It is up to us to see that this target is one they miss. I believe we start by being clear about where we stand.

The events of Sept. 11 were, plainly and simply, an affront to all humanity. That is the view of the too-rarely-heard Arab majority. So let me speak for my people.

As a human being, as a father, as a Jordanian, and most of all as a Muslim — what happened on that day was evil. As human beings, we condemn that attack absolutely. And as a civilised nation, Jordan stands shoulder to shoulder with the world community in the fight.

Frankly, it is time that the anti-terror coalition works together as effectively as the terrorists do. Extremist networks are organised on a global level. They know how to cooperate and stay focused on their destructive objectives. They have found sanctuary wherever we were complacent and failed to act. No longer.

This means, as you know, a different kind of war.

There is a military dimension, which must be exercised with caution, but always with unflinching resolve. An even more important role is, and will be, played by other means –– economic measures, diplomacy, and the free flow of truth.

Much of this effort may, by necessity, be unseen. It will not be accomplished in a day. But I can tell you that from the earliest hours, Jordan has contributed, condemned terrorism, shared information and provided diplomatic support. And you can be sure that Jordan will continue to stand with you in the days ahead.

Britain has won admiration throughout the moderate Muslim world for your unceasing message, that this is a war against terror and absolutely not a war between the West and Islam.

Let me take this opportunity... as the Leader of an Arab Muslim country, and as the Chairman of the 2001 Arab Summit, to say that the Cross-Party Resolution — NOT to allow extremists to portray this as a conflict between the West and Islam — that this resolution reflects tremendous international credit for your country.

Looking forward, there is still much to do. I believe there has been — stretching back through the centuries — far too little understanding between the West and the Muslim Arab World. We have some way to travel, but I want to see a future where Muslim, Christian and Jewish boys and girls can come together. For that day to happen, we need more understanding, not less, more respect, not less, more interaction, and not less.

It is a hard truth that out of adversity and crisis can come hope for a better world. As we fight against terror, we must rid the world of the breeding grounds for hatred and mistrust.

In the Middle East, there is now a unique opportunity to forge a comprehensive and just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The need to act quickly is urgent. For far too long, terrorists have used violence, fear and community division to spread their lies and influence. They feed on despair and injustice like jackals stalk a victim.

Our goal must be nothing less than a just and comprehensive resolution, with the state of Palestine and the state of Israel coexisting side by side.

I call on Israel to adhere to the international recognition of the Palestinians' right to a viable independent Palestinian state, on Palestinian soil, based on United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. And I endorse Prime Minister Blair's call for the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. I also welcome President Bush's support.

Thanks to the work begun by my late father, Jordan will continue to play a central role in achieving a peaceful settlement. We are uniquely able to serve as a bridge to span the bitter divisions.

Jordan has a peace treaty with Israel. We recognise Israel's right to exist. And we wish its people stability, safety and prosperity. But the Palestinian people have rights too. And they include the right to statehood, because without that, and without Israel's withdrawal from all occupied Arab territory, there will never be a just and lasting resolution to the conflict in our region.

I believe it will happen. It should happen. And my personal pledge is to work tirelessly to see that it does happen.

Thank you very much.

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