All stories from the Jordan Times unless specified otherwise.
1998 budget clears House after
marathon debate
King blames
sanctions, Baghdad's policies for Iraqi people's suffering
Team of senior officials formed
to investigate Rabia slayings
Majali welcomes
Iraq's pardon of Jordanian prisoners, says Kingdom is yet to be
officially informed
King: Peace deadlock
might lead to explosion
Prime minister
lashes out at deputy critical of government
Majali responds to
deputies' debate of 1998 draft budget
1998 budget
clears House after marathon debate
By Fairouz Abu-Ghazaleh
AMMAN - After a tough five-day debate, the draft 1998 state
budget cleared the Lower House of Parliament on Monday with a
sizeable majority.
In a surprise turnover, 59 of 74 deputies present in yesterday's
session voted in favour of the JD 1.95 billion budget that
projects a JD37 million deficit, giving Dr. Majali's government
the green light to continue tough economic reforms needed to
overhaul the economy.
Before the government starts disbursing this year's allocations,
the budget will also have to be endorsed by the Upper House
(Senate), which will start debating it today.
Responding to speeches made by 69 deputies during a marathon
debate that started on Jan. 11, Dr. Majali stressed that the
government would not tolerate random criticism and accusations
against it unless they were substantiated with facts and figures.
But Dr. Majali used a good part of his speech to dismiss
allegations of corruption made last week by Deputy Ahmad Oweidi
Abbadi.
"The government consists of ministers who have proven their
capabilities and allegiance in every place and position, and I am
proud of them and their achievements," Dr. Majali said.
"I do not accept any unjustified attacks on these ministers,
who have won His Majesty King Hussein's confidence and the
House's confidence," (see full story on page 3).
Dr. Majali's government won the House's vote of confidence on
Dec. 15, after 51 deputies voted in favour of the 24-member
cabinet.
The Prime Minister said controversial International Monetary Fund
(IMF)-agreed economic reforms, launched in 1989 after a severe
financial crisis, will end this year. But, told the House,
economic reforms will continue through a national five-year
programme ending in the year 2002.
Dr. Majali defended the programme, which he said helped the
Kingdom reschedule its foreign debt of JD4,700m (as of Oct. 31,
1997) and trim budget and balance of payment deficits and said
that it was too early to pass judgements on the programme.
"Some deputies discussed the economic restructuring
programme without due information and sufficient knowledge,"
Dr. Majali said.
He said deputies exaggerated Jordan's economic woes by claiming
the Kingdom was suffering from deep economic recession and
government inefficiency.
He said that although our economic situation is not what
Jordanians wished it to be and that although "unemployment
and poverty worry us all, we refuse to use the terms recession
and regression" to describe the country's economic stand
because statistics available to the government and those provided
to it by Arab and international institutions reaffirm that the
country's economic structure is sound and that its economic
policies are headed in the right direction.
Dr. Majali said unemployment, estimated by independent research
institutions at 22 to 27 per cent of the workforce, did not
exceed 15 per cent.
"In their speeches, some deputies expressed pessimistic
views about the situation in this country," Dr. Majali said.
"Allow me to remind you of God's blessings represented in
the country's tolerant leadership, the country's infrastructure,
educational and health services, growing agricultural production,
in addition to our progress in housing, electricity, water,
factories and various other fields."
He also defended a multi-million-dollar soci-al security network
programme, launched last year to cushion the negative impact of
economic reforms on Jordan's poor. He said the government has
allocated JD6 million to support the programme that will be
carried out over several years. More funding of the programme is
expected to come through grants and loans from other countries
and institutions.
"The government is seeking foreign financing for the social
security package, because donors are willing to finance such
humanitarian projects and not others that are important to us and
not to them," Dr. Majali said.
He said the government was committed to privatisation as part of
efforts to liberalise the economy and join world markets.
He also sought to calm agitated deputies who expressed fears that
Israeli investors would buy major shares in several state-run
companies due to be privatised under the scheme.
He dismissed allegations that there were 80 Jordanian-Israeli
ventures. "Fear God. The truth is totally different. It is
the Israelis who fear openness. They are the ones who closed on
themselves, who live with the mentality of siege."
The government in September allowed for 100 per cent foreign
ownership in banking, telecommunications, transport and insurance
sectors. Until then, foreign ownership was limited to 49 per
cent. However, three sectors are excluded: construction and
contracting, general retail trade and mining.
The mining sector includes the strategic potash and phosphates
industries, along with cement that already have substantial Arab
holdings.
Now that the House granted the government its vote of confidence
and endorsed its budget, many politicians expect Dr. Majali to
reshuffle his cabinet formed in March while Parliament was in
recess to supervise the Nov. 4 elections.
Several politicians said they expected the prime minister to
include up to 12 new ministers, some of them lawmakers, in the
much-expected reshuffle.
Six deputies in the 80-seat house did not show up for Monday's
vote. Those who voted against the bill include Khalil Haddadin,
Nasha'at Hamarneh, Bassam Haddadin, Mohammad Azayeh, Abdullah
Akaileh, Mohammad Bataineh, Mohammad Oran, Mohammad Bani Hani,
Osama Malkawi, Nazih Ammarin, Walid Awajan, Ziad Shwikh, Khalik
Atieh, Mohammad Abu-Hdeib and Ayed Adaileh.
King blames sanctions,
Baghdad's policies for Iraqi people's suffering
AMMAN (J.T.) - His Majesty King Hussein on Monday blamed the
seven-year-old sanctions placed on Iraq by the U.N. Security
Council for most of the disasters that befell that country.
"I have personally never believed in sanctions," the
King was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency during his
meeting with a visiting Swiss equestrian team accompanied by
reporters.
"I believe that have they [sanctions] not existed... a lot
of changes could have occurred already in Iraq towards pluralism,
democracy," the King noted.
However, the King did not spare the Iraqi leadership the blame by
saying that its policies have also "brought about disasters
that have beset Iraq so far."
"It [U.N. sanctions] becomes particularly more focused when
we see how much suffering the people of Iraq endured and I stress
again, the people of Iraq, the children, the people who are
denied medicine and food," the King said.
"But not necessarily another group of people, who are in
control of the country and have been so far. I do not think we
have heard that their children... have suffered anywhere as much
as we see in photographs and reports we see from
time-to-time," he added.
"So it is really the concern for the people of Iraq for
their future, for their humanity. It is a country so rich. Such a
past. How long can it endure? And to what end I have no answer, I
really do not know," said the King.
King Hussein said: "But I really pray to God that Iraq will
be finally liberated from all causes, all reasons that cause the
people of Iraq to suffer the way they have so far."
Team of senior
officials formed to investigate Rabia slayings
By Tareq Ayyoub
AMMAN - A five-man team of senior security officers was formed to
investigate the murder of six Iraqis in Amman on Saturday night,
including Iraq's deputy chief of mission, Hikmat Abdul Razaq
Hajo, and his wife, security officials said Sunday.
The team, headed by Amman's police chief, Brigadier Hisham Nsour,
includes representatives of different security departments,
including the General Intelligence Department, the officials told
the Jordan Times.
They added that the government has announced a reward for any
person who submits information about the masked men who stabbed
to death six Iraqis, two Egyptians and one Greek female,
Anastasia Diotisios Lidaki, the only survivor of the bloody
attack.
Two Iraqi millionaires, Sami George, the owner of the villa where
the attack took place, and Namir Ochi were among the victims of
the attack.
Iraq's Public Security Department Chief Tahir Al Haboushi was
expected here on Monday to follow up on the results of the
investigations.
Iraq's foreign ministry's under secretary, Sa'ad Al Faisal, who
arrived on Monday, met with Prime Minister Abdul Salam Majali at
the residence of the Iraqi ambassador in Amman Nouri Al Weiss.
"Dr. Majali's 20-minute visit to the Iraqi ambassador's
residence was only to offer condolences for the death of the
Iraqis," a government official told the Jordan Times.
The official said that Dr. Majali was accompanied by Deputy Prime
Minister for Services Affairs Abdullah Ensour.
Dr. Majali rejected suggestions that the attack against the
Iraqis was in retaliation for the executions of four Jordanians
in Baghdad on Dec. 8 for smuggling car spare parts.
"It's not linked to that, at least until now and we do not
expect it to be. I think it's a separate incident," Dr.
Majali was quoted as saying by local newspapers.
The premier also rejected "foreign participation" in
the investigation saying that "it is unacceptable.
Sovereignty rules that the state runs all its affairs. We will
keep our brother country informed of all developments."
A judicial official, who asked not to be named, told the Jordan
Times that investigators have interrogated Ms. Diotisios
following her recovery from the surgery she underwent after
receiving at least five stabs in her chest and abdomen.
Ms. Lidaki told investigators that Hajo and his wife were not
killed until after the slaughter of the other six people.
"Hikmat Hajo arrived at the scene after the murder of the
six people by five Iraqis who were preparing to flee. They then
stabbed him," Ms. Lidaki was quoted by Agence France Presse
as telling investigators, Monday.
"The killers then left and discovered Hajo's wife, Laila,
waiting for him in the car. They dragged her inside the villa and
stabbed her too," Ms. Lidaki said in her statements to the
police.
She said that the killings began with "a big fight between
five Iraqis and the Iraqi businessman, Namir Ochi, who was in the
home of his employer, Sami George."
"They exchanged accusations and the Iraqis said he owed them
large sums of money. Ochi refused their demands so they stabbed
him and attacked all those present," she told the
investigators.
The witness said that the killers believed "everyone present
was dead, including me. They left the house, and just then the
Iraqi diplomat arrived. They stabbed him and left only to return
again some moments later with his wife, who they also
stabbed."
An Amman-based Iraqi opposition group denied news reports that
one of the Iraqis killed in the attack was a member of an
opposition group.
"Mr. Sami has no relationship with the Iraqi
opposition," said Mo'ad Abdul Rahim, a spokesman of the
Iraqi National Accord.
"He is a well-known Iraqi rich man who has investments in
Europe, Jordan and Arab countries but he had no affiliation with
any Iraqi opposition group," Mr. Mo'ad told the Jordan
Times.
"The attack is nothing but the settling of accounts between
Iraqi merchants and wealthy persons," Mr. Mo'ad said.
A government official said that the sending home of the bodies of
the Iraqis scheduled to take place today has been put off until
Wednesday.
He added that the convoy carrying the dead bodies will take off
from the residence of the Iraqi ambassador in the heart of Amman.
Four Iraqi diplomats who tried to leave Jordan back to Iraq were
turned back only hours after the fatal stabbing in Amman, Reuters
quoted security officials as saying.
"Four were turned back from the Karameh border after
arriving at 06:00 GMT on Sunday," the security official who
was not named was quoted as saying.
Jordanian officials at the Karameh border gateway with Iraq were
ordered to detain all Iraqis trying to leave Jordan for
questioning and to have them photographed, the officials added.
Similar steps were taken to prevent Iraqis from leaving the
country from Queen Alia International Airport.
The Associated Press quoted western diplomats as saying that Mr.
Ochi ran a company for President Saddam Hussein that handled food
imports into Iraq. Mr. Ochi also apparently was also reported by
the agency to be involved in illegal arms imports and owed the
Iraqi leadership millions of dollars.
Majali welcomes
Iraq's pardon of Jordanian prisoners, says Kingdom is yet to be
officially informed
By Tareq Ayyoub
AMMAN - Prime Minister Abdul Salam Majali on Monday welcomed an
Iraqi announcement to release all Jordanian prisoners in Iraq but
said that the government is yet to receive official notification
on the release. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein announced Sunday
that Baghdad will free all Jordanian detainees following a
meeting with Jordan's Engineers Association President Leith
Shbeilat.
"President Saddam Hussein decided that all Jordanian
prisoners be freed immediately... whatever their sentences
are," the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported from Baghdad on
Sunday.
The agency added that President Hussein ordered a "halt to
all legal proceedings against all Jordanians."
Although he welcomed the decision, Dr. Majali said that
announcing the news through the press is not the proper way to
notify Jordan.
"The mass media has reported to us the news to release all
Jordanian prisoners. We are happy about this decision and it is
highly appreciated," Dr. Majali said.
But he added that "we wish if Iraqi authorities had informed
us through the proper channels about this decision and not
through a press statement," Dr. Majali told Parliament.
"Neither the government nor the Jordanian embassy [in
Baghdad] has received any memo regarding this," the premier
told lawmakers during the House's annual debate on the state
budget.
Dr. Majali said that during the Islamic conference in Tehran in
November, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hassan met with Iraqi
Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan to discuss the release of
prisoners.
During the meeting, the Crown Prince "informed the Iraqi
leadership of His Majesty's insistence to release all Jordanian
detainees and bring them safely back to Jordan," Dr. Majali
said.
"This was followed by a visit by the Iraqi interior
minister."
The prime minister said that the Iraqi interior minister,
Mohammad Abdul Razaq handed Jordanian officials a list of the
names of all Jordanian prisoners in Iraq.
During the meeting "I conveyed to him the insistence of His
Majesty, the government and the Jordanian people to release them
and he promised to convey this message to the Iraqi
leadership," added the Premier.
"The Iraqi statement, however, did not reflect the real
efforts and contacts in this issue, especially that Jordan had
stood and still stands beside the Iraqi people in their plight
and has extended all possible support to lift the
sanctions," Dr. Majali said.
The Premier said that the Kingdom spared no effort to free all
Jordanian prisoners in Baghdad especially following the
executions of four Jordanians in Iraq on Dec. 8.
Leith Shbeilat told a press conference in Baghdad on Monday that
he expects between 70 to 80 Jordanian prisoners to accompany him
back home on Wednesday.
Mr. Shbeilat thanked the Iraqi president for the clemency and
dismissed suggestions that President Saddam's decision to free
Jordanian prisoners was meant as a snub to the Jordanian
leadership.
"Nobody said the King was unable to release the
prisoners," Mr. Shbeilat said at the press conference.
"I don't think that it is a strike against anybody. I am
sure the [Jordanian] government is happy with what is
happening," Agence France Presse (AFP) quoted Mr. Shbeilat
as saying.
The Iraqi clemency, which followed the stabbing to death of six
Iraqis in Amman, including Deputy Chief of Mission Hikmat Hajo
and his 37 year-old Egyptian wife, was received by scepticism by
diplomats in Amman, AFP said.
"Saddam's gesture is a negative message to the Jordanian
regime," said one diplomat, who was not named by the agency.
"It seeks to strengthen the Jordanian opposition and
recapture the hearts of the Jordanian public who denounced Iraq's
executions of four Jordanians in December," added the
diplomat.
He was referring to Baghdad's execution of four Jordanians on
charges of smuggling car parts out of Iraq, which drew wide
criticism from the Jordanian government which recalled its charge
d'affaires in Baghdad and expelled seven Iraqi diplomat from the
Kingdom.
"Saddam Hussein, who knows his popularity in Jordan was
severely affected by the executions, can hope for a strong return
to Jordanian public opinion with his sudden and unexpected
gesture of clemency," added the diplomat.
Another diplomat added that President Saddam's move "gives
credibility to the opposition in Jordan who were able to achieve
in a single meeting with the Iraqi president what the government
has failed to achieve in several months of negotiations."
King: Peace
deadlock might lead to explosion
AMMAN (J.T.) - His Majesty King Hussein on Monday warned that the
deadlock in the Middle East peace process might lead to despair
and despair to an explosion.
Accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Noor and HRH Princess Haya, the
King told a delegation of Swiss journalists that the majority of
people in Israel and the Arab World want peace despite continued
attempts by minorities on both side to derail the process.
Stressing his determination to remove the elements of fear and
instability in the region, King Hussein said that he was worried
about a future without a permanent and just peace.
He called on all the parties to the peace process to remain
committed to the accords that they have reached in the past few
years so that extremists would not impose their own agenda on the
region.
"What we need is to see is a strict adherence to agreements
and strict implementation of agreements so that there is
credibility given to the whole process which has been moving too
slow and the minority of extremists here and there have dictated
their agenda, the agenda of fear, and suspicion which might be
aimed at driving the Israelis into a fortress, and creating a
fortress mentality. This would be disastrous," the King
said.
"I believe the overwhelming majority of people here and
there yearn for peace. Peace that comes from understanding each
other's problems, peace which is just, peace which is lasting.
You only need to look from west of Amman to see Jerusalem and how
close we are."
He warned that "if there are no solutions to problems,
despair might lead to explosion, might give the minority, that
cannot see the opportunity (for peace, the tools) to distort so
much of what has been done and to continue on a path leading
towards disaster."
Replying to a question about Jordan's economy, the King said:
"We have always been determined to make of this country a
model and an example to others, and hopefully a positive one.
Economically, I believe that we are all wise enough to realise
that peace is the most important objective and the most important
contribution that we can give to the generations to come. With
it, the opportunities are tremendous for economic development,
for raising the standard of living, for an improvement in the
quality of life. Obviously, this comes only when people have a
sense of stability, a sense of confidence in themselves."
The King welcomed the delegation's visit to Jordan and expressed
his delight at Jordan's participation in the Zurich international
equestrian festival next spring under the leadership of Princess
Haya.
"I hope you feel at home amongst friends and I hope you will
enjoy your stay. Some of the many sites that combine places of
religious interest, history, culture, and all that makes a small
country rather unique, particularly human spirit and
determination to influence events in this region for a better
future for all its peoples; security, peace, progress, of people
coming together of building something worthy of them in every
respect; together with other areas of interest including our
belief in the need to defend human rights and democracy and
pluralism, the chance to contribute our talents and abilities
towards a better future. "
"Equestrian activities are very close to my heart, and that
of Queen Noor, Princess Haya and many members of our family and
the Jordanian family as well and I am determined in the coming
period to do whatever we can to get more organised to give young
Jordanians the opportunities to partake in this particular
field."
The delegation is visiting Jordan at an invitation of Princess
Haya in the course of preparations for the Zurich event in March.
Prime minister lashes
out at deputy critical of government
AMMAN (J.T.) - Prime Minister Abdul Salam Majali on Monday lashed
out at Deputy Ahmad Oweidi Abbadi, who last week attacked the
government and accused it of corruption.
"We reject any talk about bigotry and discrimination under
the cover of integrity. Exposing corruption has its own means.
Jordan is a state of law and it feels that the most serious
threat to it comes from those who disrespect the country's norms
and values under the pretext of defending them."
In a speech he made during last week's Lower House of Parliament
debate of the budget, Dr. Abbadi attacked the policies of the
present and past governments, accusing them of nepotism,
favouritism and putting the wrong man in the wrong position.
He reserved his strongest remarks for Deputy Prime Minister Jawad
Anani, Planning Minister Rima Khalaf and Minister of State for
Information Affairs Samir Mutawi, all Jordanians of Palestinian
origin.
He also accused other ministers and their aides, without naming
them, of wasting millions of dinars because they are either
"ignorant or enemies of the state."
"The government's policies are driving the country towards
the abyss," he charged.
Dr. Abbadi, a former police officer, kept interrupting his speech
by waving documents that he alleged contained proof of corruption
and mismanagement.
"The government consists of ministers who have proven their
capabilities and their allegiance in every place and position and
I am proud of them and of their achievements," Dr. Majali
countered during his reply yesterday to deputies' remarks on the
budget.
"I do not accept any unjustified attacks on these ministers,
who have won the King's and House's confidence. Should anyone
believe that any minister is not trustworthy, he should present
evidence to back his accusations and he should do that through
normal and sound procedures," the prime minister said.
Dr. Majali continued: "In defending all the former
honourable officials who were attacked by the respected deputy, I
attest to their integrity, since they have fulfilled their duties
as best as they could and the present government is now building
on their achievements. We deeply appreciate and respect
them."
In a statement issued Wednesday, the government, without naming
Dr. Abbadi, denounced the deputy's comments, which it said
"deviated from the subject in discussion [the budget], did
not tell the truth and used personal and offensive language when
referring to public officials."
The statement also asked the House to take the necessary measures
to preserve Jordan's democratic process.
On Saturday, Lower House Speaker Sa'd Hayel Srour said he was
"surprised" by a recent government statement and stated
that lawmakers have the right to express themselves freely under
the dome of Parliament.
"The [House's] general discussion is an opportunity for all
those wishing to speak to express themselves under Parliament's
dome," said Mr. Srour. "I was surprised by the
government's statement because the podium is accessible to both
the government and House deputies," he said.
Dr. Abbadi, who cast a vote of confidence for the Cabinet of Dr.
Majali on Dec. 15 and yesterday voted for the budget, had in his
lengthy and often heated speech that was broadcast live on Jordan
Television called on the government to stop granting citizenship
to "the bedouins and citizens of neighbouring Arab
countries'' - an implicit reference to Palestinians, who form a
large percentage of the Kingdom's 4.5 million people.
Dr. Majali said he was dismayed that some deputies had criticised
the government over the statement it made concerning Dr. Abbadi's
speech and criticised Abbadi himself for producing government
documents during his speech as proof of misuse of power.
"We have heard some deputies criticising our rejection of
some deputies speeches claiming that those speeches were in
defence of integrity and meant to expose state corruption. Some
deputies have indeed taken to the habit of producing official
documents during House sessions, thus exercising intimidation
against public servants," Dr. Majali said.
He also criticised the deputies who had protested last week that
the government was not transmitting their speeches live on Jordan
Television.
"Last Tuesday the House witnessed a controversy about the
government's decision, which was taken in conjunction with the
House speaker, to cut short the deputies' televised speeches and
not to telecast them live. But some deputies took the liberty of
employing terms with which we are not familiar. Speaking after
the conclusion of the session, these deputies used terms to
slander the executive authority and the Cabinet members. They
used a language which we consider alien to our ethics and our
Arab and Islamic values and taste. But after the deputies
apologised to the offended ministers, apology was accepted in
good spirit and the sessions were telecast live in response to
the deputies' desire," the prime minister said.
Dr. Majali also lashed at Dr. Abbadi for attacking the security
forces, in particular the General Intelligence Department.
"When Jordanians go to sleep, they do so confident and
reassured about their security and the safety of their lives and
their property. They are confident that their country is
well-protected from enemies within and without. These citizens
are well aware that security does not come out of the blue. They
realise that certain institutions are working day and night to
protect this country and ensure its security. These institutions
have been built with great and relentless effort and their
personnel have been chosen carefully to shoulder their great and
serious responsibilities. Therefore, any offence against these
institutions or any attempt to damage their reputation is
tantamount to tampering with the country's security and
disregarding to its future," Dr. Majali stated.
Majali responds to deputies'
debate of 1998 draft budget
AMMAN (J.T.) - Following are major excerpts of Prime Minister
Abdul Salam Majali's reply to speeches given by deputies during
the debate in the Lower House of Parliament on the 1998 draft
fiscal budget.
"In their speeches, some of the deputies expressed
pessimistic views about the situation in this country. Allow me
to remind you of God's blessings represented in the country's
tolerant leadership, the country's infrastructure, educational
and health services, and growing agricultural production, in
addition to our progress in housing, electricity, water,
factories, and various other fields.
"It is true that the economic situation is not up to our
aspirations at the moment and that there are problems represented
in unemployment and poverty that continue to hinder us.
"But it is equally true that Jordan is witnessing continued
construction and economic development. We refuse to say that we
are in a recession or retreat, because the statistical figures
available to us and those provided to us by Arab and
international institutions reaffirm that our economic structure
is sound and that our economic policies are going the right way.
"Unemployment in Jordan stands at 15 per cent, but this rate
rises according to the season, towards the end of the school
year. However, the government is keen on solving this problem
through its economic, financial and monetary policies and not
merely through measures taken by the Ministry of Labour or
through the educational policy. We are keen on solving this
problem through further investments and through encouraging the
private sector to invest more.
"We are also focusing attention on encouraging Jordanian job
seekers to accept any available jobs, even temporary ones, until
better chances arise.
"While we are discussing unemployment, it is inevitable to
face the present situation in the Jordanian labour market. We
must admit that the local market provides 500,000 job
opportunities to non-Jordanians and that many of these
opportunities would provide a good income for those among
unemployed Jordanians wishing to earn a decent living. We should
stop complaining about unemployment and start urging our children
to take the available jobs.
"A major portion of the government's current expenditure is
dedicated to employees' salaries and pensions. Some of you have
demanded an increase in salaries without coupling this with a
reduction in the number of employees. The government was
motivated by humanitarian considerations when it tried to retain
the present number of employees until we find better chances for
them in other positions.
"The direct taxes paid to the government, like income tax
and sales tax, are those that come from the taxpayers. The
indirect taxes are those that are paid by consumers and
merchants. The taxes are paid according to income and those who
earn more pay more taxes. We maintain social justice in taxes and
we are in agreement that taxes should be paid in full. We
remember also that the Income Tax Law was amended in 1996, when
we offered low- and limited-income groups further exemptions.
"We share the deputies' views that we have to continue the
financial reform programme and that we should develop new
mechanisms to guarantee revenues and methods of expenditure so
that they run in harmony with the democratic orientation. This
gives the right to Jordanian citizens to demand that the
government account for the manner in which revenues are spent.
"Some deputies raised the question of privatisation. The
government realises the dangers that were referred to in this
concern. The government is well aware of the risks but we wonder
how these deputies came to the conclusion that privatisation is
part of a conspiracy being hatched against Jordan to force it to
sell out its wealth to foreigners. I would like to stress here
that the government is going ahead with the privatisation process
with sure and confident steps.
"You also realise that in 1986 Jordan embarked on the
privatisation of the telecommunications corporation. In recent
years, the government allowed the private sector to acquire
shares in the corporation's activities, such as the pager, mobile
telephone, and public phone services. Measures taken in this
regard were based on transparent and competitive considerations
and when the government offered to sell 40 per cent of its shares
to a strategic partner, it did so because the tremendous
technological developments in the telecommunications services
would have required huge funds.
"With regard to railways, one deputy threatened that he
would not approve its privatisation. Let the honourable gentleman
tell us how can we meet the financial deficit facing this sector.
By inviting others to participate in its construction and
management, we are actually helping to transform this service
into a profit-making company. At present, this sector is
incurring a continued drain of resources and losses. We want to
convert this sector into an institution that can earn profit by
helping us export phosphate and fertilisers.
"With regard to foreign investors, we accept all those who
come to us to invest within the framework of the law and without
encroaching on our higher interests or laws. Registered companies
are subject to Jordanian laws and there is no fear on the part of
the investors. The doors are wide open for Arab investors, but
regrettably, some deputies have accused us of discriminating
between Arab and non-Arab investors in favour of the foreigners.
This is totally untrue. Total Arab investments last year amounted
to $350 million.
"We approve of the proposal by the House's financial
committee to hold consultations with the government in matters
concerning privatisation and also in organising the process of
selling the government's shares in national companies. We also
approve of the idea of accelerating enactment of the law on
preventing monopolies.
"Some deputies brought up the question of Israeli
investments in Jordan and the dangers involved in such an
endeavour. We would like to reassure you about Jordan's security,
independence, and safety. Deputies should rest assured that these
issues are the main concerns of the government.
"Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel, and wants to open
the door for comprehensive economic dealings with the
Palestinians, who are still under occupation.
"At the Doha summit, Jordan and Israel signed an agreement
under which Al Hassan Industrial Estate was considered as an
industrial zone qualified to carry out joint manufacturing in
conjunction with factories from Israel and the self-rule areas of
Palestine. The products will be exported to the U.S. exempt from
all customs duties.
"Some were claiming that Israel has 80 firms in this zone
and that it would soon take over Jordan's economy. I say to these
deputies to fear God and to admit that the facts are totally
different. The Israelis fear opening their country to other
markets and still feel they should remain cooped up in their
tower.
"Some deputies have demanded that Jordanian-Arab relations
be strengthened. We reject the insinuations that throw suspicion
on Jordan's political stands.
"Our stand is crystal clear. We are for our nation in form
and content and in word and deed. We maintain joint councils and
joint committees and protocols with all Arab states. We support
all common Arab meetings and we continue to settle all our dues
to pan-Arab organisations, as is clear in the draft budget. We
open our country to all faithful Arabs with no limits or
restrictions.
"We maintain more trade with Arab nations than any other
state in the Arab World and our volume of trade with Arab states
is four times more than our trade with foreign countries. This
also includes the areas of services, investments, and the
exchange of manpower.
"Government subsidies in the 1998 budget total around JD115
million, or 5.8 per cent of the total budget. Subsidies cover
food, universities, and others. But we should discontinue
subsidies to those who do not need aid and we intend to do just
that. As for the Ministry of Supply, it will continue to manage
strategic foodstuffs, monitor prices, and combat irregularities
in trade. The ministry will reduce its "merchant"
status role.
"The government plans to execute the national health
insurance scheme but you have to be patient, because this is a
complicated project
"In education, I would like to remind you that the former
Parliament endorsed a system of unifying extra customs taxes,
which has adversely affected the performance of universities.
"Some deputies discussed the economic restructuring
programme without due information and sufficient knowledge,
although the finance committee discussed it in full with the
government. This programme, agreed upon with the International
Monetary Fund, will end this year but economic reforms will
continue in a national five-year programme (1998-2002).