His Majesty King Abdullah II
Interview with
HM King Abdullah II by Corriere della Sera
Journalist: Antonio Ferrari
September 27, 2004
A message of hope: regal and reliable. An
invaluable and reassuring message that might relieve the distress of Simona
Pari's and Simona Torretta's families as well as of all Italians.
Your Majesty, tomorrow upon your arrival in Rome you will find a country in a
state of shock. We cannot imagine what would happen if the two Italian girls,
who are volunteers and messengers of peace, were to be killed. Do you really
think they are alive?
King Abdullah of Jordan is a straightforward and honest leader. He looks the
Corriere correspondent straight in the eyes, conveying his total solidarity and
replies: “According to the information I have at the moment both girls are
alive. As you well know, we have been working jointly with your Government ever
since their kidnapping. We are doing our best to locate them with the help of
the Intelligence Services and have used our contacts with leaders and groups
within Iraq to secure the release of the two girls. You see those are not
Moslems who carry out brutal acts in the name of Islam. I am aware that the term
“Moslem extremist” is being used; nevertheless, I think the extremists who in
the name of God strike at defenseless people and disgrace man's dignity cannot
be Moslems nor can they be Christians. No, those who can kill Russian children
in Ossetia and kidnap two Italian volunteers working in Iraq to help the country
build its future are not Moslems.
Ferrari: Jordan has successfully secured the release of its hostages. I
know you have important contacts particularly within the Sunni triangle. Can you
extend your help? Will you have good news to convey to our Government on
Tuesday?
HM King Abdullah: “I have often identified myself with your grief, especially that
I can feel the profound humanity of the Italian people. I was moved by the
demonstrations and the candles lit up in the balconies of your homes in
commemoration of the Russian children killed in a remote country. I am
constantly impressed by your endless generosity. Nowadays we have to fight
against the devil together. At times, we need to pay tribute to suffering to
save innocent lives. We will do everything we can to help the two girls. I pray
and hope to have good news by Tuesday. It would be marvelous.”
Ferrari: How do you regard the relations between Jordan and Italy?
HM King Abdullah: “Excellent. I have a close relationship with your President,
Ciampi and Prime Minister Berlusconi, who I wish to thank for his sustained
support extended to my country. In the dire moments of the past years, you
granted us constantly an additional 10% of assistance. Italy plays an important
international role. Hence and above all, we shall speak about Iraq in the course
of my visit. If I may, I wish to say something: the Romans built roads; nowadays
our motorway projects are Italian.”
Ferrari: What is your idea of the kidnappers? Doesn't their strategy remind you
of the 80's hostages crisis in Lebanon?
HM King Abdullah: “Yes, it does. Only now we have two kinds of kidnappers: the
religious extremists, who are more dangerous and inhuman as they do care about
Law and the rights of the individual. They are just terrorists. The second group
consists of criminal organizations. They kidnap people for money. It goes
without saying that it is a lot easier to get something from criminals. It only
means business to them.”
Ferrari: How can the vicious circle be undone?
HM King Abdullah: “The only solution is to reinforce the current Iraqi government
led by Prime Minister Allawi. There are no alternatives. I have constantly
believed that dismantling the Iraqi armed forces is a mistake. Having 10% of the
former army back in service could very well mean pulling 40,000 unemployed
people off the streets. In fact, I am sad and frustrated when I think of the
challenges Facing Prime Minister Allawi. We have to help this government restore
stability because if it fails the alternative will be worse. It is a matter of
moral obligation. We have assumed the responsibility to train 30,000 Iraqi
policemen and thousands of soldiers, yet from the very first day I have stated
we need time. I am a soldier myself and know that certain standards cannot be
achieved overnight.”
Ferrari: In your opinion, why was the former army dismantled and the medical
staff in hospitals along with teachers asked to go home?
HM King Abdullah: “The reason is that certain Iraqi exiles - Chalabi was one of
them - did not want the army to be part of the new institutions. They knew that
stability in Iraq would diminish their role. On the other hand, people like
Chalabi thought they could keep control if chaos prevailed.
Ferrari: Do you mean that Chalabi made the Americans commit this mistake?
HM King Abdullah: “In my opinion, based on what is happening presently, people like
Chalabi bear the responsibility. Are you aware that nowadays he entertains good
contacts with Iran? The Pentagon does not interest him any more as he has
crossed now over to Teheran. There are still some Americans who think he is a
good man.”
Ferrari: Do you think that elections will be held at the beginning of 2005?
Abdullah: “I know that Prime Minister Allawi continues to re-assert their
commitment to the schedule. As an international observer, I do not think that
the current instability may allow the country to go to the polls in January.”
Ferrari: Your Majesty, a few months ago Jordan thwarted a group that was
preparing a deadly attack against your country by means of explosive material
and chemicals. You stated that the terrorists could have killed 80,000 people at
least. The brains of this plan is a Jordanian citizen, Abu Musab Al Zarkawi, who
is at present the strategist of the terror surge in Iraq. What is your opinion
about Zarkawi? Who is this man?
HM King Abdullah: “As far as I know, he was some sort of a street thug in the town
of Zarka. Definitely, he was not known for his intellect or brilliance.
Unexpectedly, he ended up in Al Qaeda's network after his past as a common
criminal and drunkard. Zarkawi has now become a problematical element in Iraq,
where in my opinion he is given undeserved merit. At this point I would like to
approach the issue of the role of the mass media.”
Ferrari: Your Majesty, what do you mean?
HM King Abdullah: “Allowing terrorists unlimited space in the press and on
television increases their power. I do not believe it is possible to stamp out
all groups of kidnappers, but if the international community, as a whole,
decided not to permit the usage of the media as a means of propaganda - like
circulating images with the humiliations the hostages undergo, the problem might
be solved partially. Of course, certain pictures cause sensation, they are not
of help to us but rather afford terrorists free publicity.”
Ferrari: The American Secretary for Defense, Rumsfeld stated that the American
soldiers might quit even before the completion of the peace process in Iraq. Do
you agree? In other words: do you believe that the foreign armed forces,
including the Italians, are to stay or quit?
HM King Abdullah: “It is not up to me to pass judgments on the resolutions taken at
national levels by various countries. Theoretically, we all hope that foreign
soldiers will quit as soon as possible, restoring the full responsibility to the
Iraqis. Yet, the realities on the ground compel the coalition forces to stay for
some more time to help the Iraqi society consolidate its position.”
Ferrari: Do you believe there will be changes due to the presidential elections
in the United States?
HM King Abdullah: “I do not think that America's commitment in Iraq, whether George
Bush is going to be confirmed as President or John Kerry wins the elections,
will alter substantially.”
Ferrari: The conflict in Palestine is deteriorating constantly. Do you believe
the decision of the Israeli Prime Minister Sharon to quit Gaza and dismantle the
Jewish settlements in the Strip is an opportunity not to be missed?
HM King Abdullah: “It depends on what the end of the process is. The pullout from
Gaza and dismantling of settlements is a positive step forward since it follows
the directives of the Road Map. However, if breaking up settlements in one
location means establishing others somewhere else, well this might bring about
more problems.”
Ferrari: It appears you still have faith in the Road Map.
HM King Abdullah: “There are no other alternatives. It is the only structured and
well-balanced plan to guarantee rights to Israelis and Palestinians. You see,
for the first time ever there is the fear that there are no longer elements left
to witness an acceptable Palestinian State emerge, since it is clear that the
area of the territories has been reduced. In 1998, in Taba, 98% of the land
entered in the estimations; nowadays that figure has come down to 48-50%. What
will the size of the Palestinian State be like in two years from now? You can
see that we, Jordanians may pay the price for it.”
Ferrari: Do you consider President Arafat as part of the problem or as part of
the solution?
HM King Abdullah: “I believe the Palestinian leadership, and not only Arafat, are
at the moment part of the problem because the conflict at top levels allows the
Israeli Premier to insist he has no partner to carry on the dialogue. Therefore,
it is not the fault of the Arab countries or the international community if
Palestine diminishes day by day. I believe the Palestinian leadership needs to
stay united and work in harmony otherwise the situation will worsen.”
Ferrari: Your Majesty, this year in Jordan the most impressive demonstration
against terrorism, ever to take place in the Arab world, has occurred. Your
spouse, Queen Rania was its very spirit and soul. Do you think the silent
majority in the Moslem world has to wake up now, condemn at once loud and clear,
a devastating terrorism that in fact strikes at true Islam in the first place?
HM King Abdullah: “Absolutely. Not only in Jordan. The entire Islamic community
must cast discredit on these terrorists, who exploit our religion for their own
aims. I fear the currently circulating rumor: not every Moslem is a terrorist
but every terrorist is a Moslem. This is what we need to combat. The terrorists'
real target is not Christianity but rather the majority of moderate, sensible
Moslems. At this point, we have to speak up, loud and clear, but this is not
enough. Wherever the extremists may hide away, we must fight them with facts and
actions. The problem is that the silent majority is always on defense. Now is
the time to act.”