Jordan Times
Friday, November 25, 2005
King asks Bakhit to form gov't
By Alia Shukri Hamzeh
AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday
asked Director of National Security Marouf Bakhit to form a new government that
would launch an all-out war on Islamist militants and forge ahead with
indispensable reforms.
"Reform is no longer an option but rather a life necessity for the new Jordan
that we want and have come a long way in trying to reflect," King Abdullah said
in his Letter of Designation to Bakhit.
Speculation has been rife over the past 10 days as to whether the government
would be replaced by a tougher team that could safeguard the country's security
and implement the National Agenda that was presented to the King on Wednesday.
Rumours were also widespread about an imminent dissolution of the 110-seat Lower
House of Parliament to pave the way for early polls.
Bakhit, 58, a former ambassador to Turkey and Israel, replaces outgoing premier
Adnan Badran, who has been prime minister since April.
Badran, an academic and considered a low profile political figure, submitted his
resignation to the King earlier Thursday.
Bakhit's appointment is the latest in a series of senior level changes carried
out at the Royal Court and security posts as well as in the Senate. The changes
came on the heels of the November 9 suicide attacks that ripped through three
Amman hotels and killed 60 people.
According to informed sources, Bakhit — who was recently charged with heading
the National Security — is expected to form his Cabinet within the next few days
following consultations with various political groups and individuals.
A retired army major general, Bakhit served as the Kingdom's coordinator during
negotiations with Israel that led to the 1994 peace treaty.
Observers regard his appointment as highly indicative of the upcoming period,
saying a forceful figure with his political and military background would ensure
reforms are implemented.
His security background is seen as another asset, particularly in the fight
against terrorism.
"Bakhit combines both political and security depth. He will forge ahead with
reforms and maintain a powerful security presence," said columnist Jamil Nimri.
Nimri and other observers noted that Bakhit was a "reassuring" candidate to lead
the reform process and firmly implement recommendations made in the National
Agenda, most important of which are proposals for new legislation on elections,
political parties and professional associations.
"The coming phase will witness many developments on the local arena, including
amending controversial legislation and dissolving Parliament," Nimri noted,
saying such a political agenda requires a government with political clout.
In his Letter of Designation, the King mandated Bakhit with accelerating the
legislative process, including advancing elections and political parties laws as
well as an anti-terrorism law.
The King said the recent Amman bombings have shown the need for a comprehensive
strategy that counters the culture which condones the killing of innocent
civilians or persons labelled "infidels" by terrorists who distort Islam.
The King said the strategy should not only deal with the security dimension, but
also tackle the ideological, cultural and political spheres in order to confront
those who choose the path of "destruction and sabotage to reach their goals."
King Abdullah called for a "relentless war on the schools of takfir, which
embrace extremism, backwardness, isolation and darkness and are fed on the
ignorance and naiveté of simple people."
Stressing that the recent attacks heightened the determination for reform and
democratisation, the King said justice, equality and modernity were key
ingredients of legislation.
He also stressed the need to proceed with social reforms and to vigorously
combat poverty, unemployment and corruption.
Analysts expressed hope the new government, led by Bakhit, would include
technocrats as well as strong politicians in order to face the task ahead.
"The Badran government was a combination of new technocrats and old bureaucrats
who had no common language and were lacking in political depth," Nimri said.
Badran, who was brought in to accelerate the pace of reform and institutionalise
the reform process had encountered strong opposition by Parliament soon after he
named his Cabinet. The former PM was forced to reshuffle his Cabinet three times
over the past seven months of his tenure. He was also faced with the daunting
task of curbing a growing deficit gap by lifting oil subsidies and raising oil
prices twice. The measures triggered public resentment.