H.E. Dr. Marwan Muasher
Ambassador of Jordan to the U.S. & Mexico
Remarks at the Memorial Service honoring His Majesty King Hussein
March 22, 1999
"During the Wye Summit, when the talks were not going so well, he came out within a few short minutes and changed the tenor of the meeting. Though fail with fighting for his own life, he gave life to the process many felt was failing. The smallest man in the room that day was the largest; the frailest was the strongest. The man with the least time remaining reminded us we are working not only for ourselves, but for all eternity".
These words, spoken so eloquently by President Clinton, captured not only the meaning of King Hussein’s contribution at the Wye talks, but the essence of his entire life.
His Majesty, the late King Hussein, never let the boundaries of his own country limit those of his vision for a Middle East at peace with itself and with the world. His true legacy is in leaving behind a country he built from scratch, one which is considered today among the most open and enlightened societies in the Middle East. Parallel to that, he pursued a policy of peace with unmatched vigor and conviction, a peace that did not stop with ending the state of war, but one that proactively attempts to foster cooperation among all peoples of the region.
Because of King Hussein, Jordan today, a country of 4 million people with little natural resources, boasts an open system of political pluralism, an independent parliament, one of the freest press in the Arab world, a human rights record unmatched in the area, a well-managed economy, a highly educated population and a quality of life that is attested to by all who visit it.
Because of King Hussein, Jordan today is at the forefront of pushing through a model of peace that alone satisfies the aspirations of all peoples of the region, addresses their political, development and security concerns, enhances the region’s well-being and secures the interests of the international community.
King Hussein combined the very rare trait of being popular both outside Jordan and in his own country. His popularity was never demanded or coerced. It rather came as a natural response to the humility, modesty, affection and respect with which he always treated Jordanians. He ruled, he led, but he also communicated and listened. His leadership was never remote, never detached from his people. It is no wonder, therefore, that all Jordanians, those who agreed with him and those who did not, loved him and respected him.
As the country continues to be engulfed with sorrow, mourning the loss not only of a leader, but also a family member, Jordanians today feel proud that the institutions left behind by King Hussein are functioning, and functioning smoothly. During the difficult period of his illness and his untimely death, The constitution was respected to the letter, with His Majesty King Abdallah being sworn in in front of Parliament, less than three hours after King Hussein died. For a country where 90% of the population knew no other leader, it was a very impressive, smooth and orderly transition of power.
With hardly 40 days in power, it has become obvious that King Abdallah is schooled in his father’s tradition. Enjoying as he does the support of all sectors of Jordanian society, irrespective of their religion, ethnic background, origin, gender or age, like King Hussein, he is a unifying factor within Jordan, and is very much seen as a populist.
King Abdallah thus brings not only stability to Jordan but also continuity of His Majesty King Hussein’s vision for the future of the entire region. His commitment, and that of Jordan to peace between Jordan and Israel, is a solid one. For Jordan, peace is a strategic option, one that will always be pursued—as King Hussein did—with vigor and conviction.
I want to thank the American Jewish Committee for this moving initiative to honor a great statesman and peacemaker. Our greatest tribute to him is in following in his path and bringing his vision to completion—peace among all the peoples of the Middle East, peace that is comprehensive and lasting, peace that will be protected and revered by all future generations.
Thank you.