His Majesty King Abdullah II
Opening of the 3rd Ordinary Session of Jordan's 13th Parliament
Speech from the Throne
Amman, Jordan
November 1, 1999
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
Prayers and Salutations on the Noblest and the Most Honourable Faithful Arab
and Hashemite Prophet Mohammad.
Honourable Senators
Honourable Deputies
Peace, God's Mercy and Blessings be upon you
In the name of Allah and with His blessings, we inaugurate the third session of the Thirteenth Parliament, being the first ordinary session in our reign; a reign of will and tenacity for the prosperity and advancement of Jordan, defending the causes of its nation and the future of its generations, in redemption of the great message that our forefathers left us to which they sacrificed immensely and in fulfillment of the noble aims His Majesty the late King Hussein endeavoured to establish, thus creating this lofty existence that we inherited and the great respect we see wherever we go that nestled in our conscience and hearts.
Since the first moment God honoured me to bear the first responsibility in Jordan, I have pledged myself to serve the loyal Jordanians who are Arabs in their presence, conscience and message, whom I cherish belonging to, and I am proud of their genuineness, their ability to face challenges and difficulties, their struggle to fulfill their duties, defend their nation's causes and participate in shaping its future which matches up to its history and its great human and civilised message.
My esteem for your Honourable Council is unlimited. Your council is the symbol of the free Jordanian will and it is the stronghold of our democratic path and its fortress. It is the beacon of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights. In recognition of this council's sacred message and the great national responsibilities it shoulders, my government will cooperate and consult with your Honourable Council over all national issues and causes, incarnation with the Constitution and within the framework of the detachment of the three authorities, creating a balance among them, specifying the responsibilities and duties that each of them holds.
Stemming from this clear constitutional base, my government will also support the independence of the judiciary, through legislations that support this independence and safeguard it, providing incentives and means that assist the judiciary to fulfill their acclaimed mission in bestowing justice among people and the prevalence of law above all. Jordanians are equal by law. Justice is the base of governing and the guarantor of the values of tolerance, affinity, integration and national unity.
On these bases, we in Jordan believe that we are one family, where all its members are equal in rights and duties regardless of origins and birthplaces. We also believe that a true sense of belonging to Jordan and an interpretation of this through work and fulfillment of duties is the measure of good citizenship.
Wars and conflicts that have befallen this region have had negative impacts not only on our economy, but on the whole region. Arab support ceased. Our exports were prevented from reaching some markets. The number of our sons working abroad decreased. In addition to other issues this led to an increased unemployment rate and an increased poverty rate under a ceiling of a hefty debt burdening our national economy.
Jordan has witnessed similar circumstances in the past and perhaps more difficult ones, but because of its wise leadership, the tireless efforts of its loyal sons, Jordan surmounted all difficulties and hardships achieving great aims with meagre means. Accordingly, the question of economic development, restructuring our national economy, activating the private sector, creating an attractive investment climate, providing infrastructure and dealing with the foreign debt are our top priorities.
The path is long. But with earnest, patient and purposeful work we will be able to shorten it. Our economy, thank God, is recuperating gradually. In this regard we highly value our brothers' and friends' cooperation and support in our endeavours to rectify our economic situation.
Our water resources are scarce. The lack of rain last year increased that problem. Despite that, my government dealt with the issue efficiently, as appreciated by all. The summer has lapsed, thank God, without citizens feeling the acute problem. We have to deal with this situation categorically through exploring new sources, completing Al Disi project, treating salt water in nearby ground resources and economising consumption. We have to recognise herewith the efforts of our Libyan, United Arab Emirates and Syrian brethren, who expressed readiness to help us in this field.
Jordanian administration is well-known for its efficiency. But lately it has suffered from some negative aspects such as flaccidness, laxness and lobbying, using official status for private matters and sometimes exploiting public funds. Therefore, my government will continue the measures it initiated to put an end to all these hateful and negative aspects. We will not be lenient in dealing with those who override public service, or use it, or attempt to gain wealth illegally, or are involved in any case of corruption regardless of its kind or size. Our just judiciary will have the final say in any such case.
My government will continue to restructure its administration, modernise it, obliterate bureaucracy, modernise and streamline procedures, work in an institutional attitude whereby team spirit prevails allowing capable citizens a chance alongside a loyal administrative leadership that is capable and creative.
To provide a dignified well-being and to offer public services for Jordanians in Al Badia, rural areas, the camps and cities, is a national responsibility and a sacred duty the government is endeavouring to fulfill. It will carry on expanding services offered to citizens in educational, social, and health fields and in working at improving them. I should, herewith, refer to the women and childhood sectors' need for additional care by means of new programmes and legislations that safeguard these two sectors and raise the level of services rendered to them. My government will take special care to expand the umbrella of health insurance to the point of comprehensive health insurance, to improve the level and quality of education and to treat housing, transport, social care and environmental issues in all their dimensions.
Jordan is wealthy, thank God, in its tourist attraction capabilities such as its location, climate, touristic and religious sites. Therefore, my government will use these abilities and develop them as best it can. We will expand the role of the private sector in the fields of investment, develop legislations and laws to invite tourist capital and investment to improve the level of this sector which in turn enhances public revenue, and creates new work opportunities.
Our democratic course has been, and will remain, our national and unwavering choice. Your Honourable Council is its main feature. The country witnessed a few months ago one of our best democratic features, when my government ran municipal council elections with the utmost integrity, impartiality, efficiency and organisation. My government will carry on firmly establishing the bases of this democratic course and open new horizons by encouraging democratic awareness, establishing the bases of dialogue among the civil societies, respecting the view of others, safeguarding public freedoms, political pluralism, in a committed framework in the spirit of the Constitution, respecting the laws of this beloved country emerging from our conviction that we are all, both institutions and individuals, partners in shouldering our national responsibilities and partners in shaping the present and future of this nation.
Therefore, it is not anybody's right or that of any side, whoever it may be, to monopolise the claim for truth, or that of the higher national interest, or to exploit the freedom, democracy and tolerance prevailing, to abuse the laws in this country, or its traditions and noble values, to harm its image and bright reputation, abuse its symbols and establishments, or underestimate its sacrifices and achievements. If we do not allow ourselves to interfere in other peoples' affairs we will not allow anybody to interfere in our affairs.
Our courageous Armed Forces and our Security Forces are our nation's shield and the symbol of its dignity and free will. They are the ever-alert watching eye for citizens' security, safekeeping their lives and dignity and it is foremost our pride. My government will be attentive and responsive to the needs of the Armed and the Security Forces through modernising and developing them and providing them with all that may upgrade bearing of national responsibilities and sacred duties.
Jordan has been and will remain, God willing, the inheritor of the message of the Great Arab Revolt and its noble aims and aspirations in freedom, unity and a better life, and it will always be Arab in its loyalty, position and message. Stemming from this clear vision, the inner Arab depth will remain for Jordan the base of all its relations. No relation will precede those of Jordan with its Arab brethren.
On this basis, Jordan will continue its endeavours to purify Arab relations, transcend Arab disputes and will continue to support joint Arab institutions, work for the purpose of uniting and mobilising its efforts in a framework of cooperation and integration aimed at a better future for the coming generations. Our relations with each Arab brethren state are based upon compassion, brotherhood, respect, trust, cooperation and non-interference with others' internal affairs.
My government will continue its efforts in advancing the peace process and allowing it to achieve the sought advancement on all tracks. It will continue to support our Palestinian brethren until they regain their rights and establish their independent state on their national soil with Jerusalem as its capital. Since we believe that the Palestinian cause is the core of conflict in this region, no aspired peace will be achieved without a fair settlement to this conflict.
As for our brethren in Syria and Lebanon, we will not fail to support them regain their rights and occupied land until a comprehensive, lasting and just peace is achieved as aspired by the region's peoples.
As for our brethren in Iraq and Sudan, we share their suffering under the blockade enforced on them, and we invite the international community to fulfill its human and moral duty in lifting the blockade on these two peoples and putting an end to this suffering which has exceeded all limits. In this regard, we confirm our firm position concerning safeguarding the unity and integrity of Iraq.
I steadfastly believe, in light of what I know, of your true appreciation of the hefty responsibility you bear, that you are able to enlist all capabilities to work, build, produce and establish fruitful cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities. The nation needs the efforts of all its sons and national institutions. Let us work together to build Jordan the model and to serve our Arab Nation.
I salute you and salute each brother and sister in this dear nation.
May Allah be with us.
“I wanteth nothing but reform so far as I am able, and with none but Allah is the direction of my affair to the right issue; on Him do I rely and to Him do I return.”
Peace, God's Mercy and Blessings be upon you.