His Majesty King Abdullah II
His Majesty King Abdullah II Opens
Third Ordinary Session of the 14th Parliament
November 30, 2005
Full Text of His Majesty's Speech from the Throne:
In the name of God,
the most merciful, the compassionate
Prayers and peace be upon our master Mohammad, the honest Arab Hashemite prophet
Honorable Senators,
Honorable Deputies,
Peace, God’s mercy and His blessings be upon you,
In the name of God, and with His blessings, we inaugurate the third ordinary
session of the fourteenth parliament in order to enhance our march in democracy,
reform and modernization; to stand up to challenges and obstacles confronting
it; and to articulate plans, programmes and legislation to accelerate the pace
of progress so that comprehensive development will be realized for Jordan – a
progressive, civilized country, a strong and invincible country whose citizens
and guests enjoy security, stability and peace of mind in a climate of freedom,
democracy and respect for human rights.
We reaffirm here that security and stability are the first among our national
priorities, and that they are a basic prerequisite for development. For,
development cannot proceed and our goals cannot be realized unless and until
security, stability and the rule of law are ensured.
When the hand of traitors targeted Jordan’s security and terrorized its innocent
citizens and guests, the country passed, with great success, a critical test of
its security and stability. Their treachery was overcome by the brave men and
women of the Armed Forces, Public Security, General Intelligence and Civil
Defence, and by Jordanians who united with gallantry, pride, steadfastness and
belonging. We extend our gratitude, appreciation and feelings of pride to the
courageous members of the Armed Forces, the Security Institutions and to members
of our unified Jordanian family, may God grant them all that is good on behalf
of Jordan.
We do realize that Jordan’s location, its message and positions are the reasons
that it was targeted, and that these attacks impose upon it the largest security
challenge to ever confront it. Thus, a security strategy capable of dealing with
these changed circumstances and containing these challenges is in order. This
requires the drafting of legislation that serves this strategy to ensure that
Jordan will remain as it always has been; an oasis of security and stability and
a haven for freedom where human rights are respected.
Honorable Senators,
Honorable Deputies,
We have made, thank God, tremendous strides towards development, and our
achievements have been significant. It became necessary that grass-roots
participation in decision-making and development planning and programming be
expanded.
This was the impetus for the idea to divide the Kingdom into a number of
regions, each having elected councils that would be responsible for devising
plans and programs related to each respective region’s development. It is our
belief that each region’s citizens best know their own requirements and
priorities. Consequently, a Royal Commission was formed to study all aspects of
this idea, and it will put its findings in your hands.
Another committee, including representatives of all active groups, from official
bodies to grassroots organizations and civil society institutions, was formed to
prepare a National Agenda which constitutes a general framework for our
development programs and goals. The agenda also will be in your hands, and the
hands of the government, for your discussion and benefit.
Honorable Senators,
Honorable Deputies,
I feel the suffering of my people, and I know the extent of the economic
difficulties they are facing due to the rise in prices, poverty and
unemployment. The government is called on to consolidate its efforts to relieve
people’s suffering. Social solidarity also plays a major role in coping with
poverty and unemployment. I know that there are bodies and institutions, both
official and non-official, that offer their services in this respect, but the
absence of a single body that constitutes a term of reference for this work has
led to the absence of planning and a wasteful and inefficient distribution of
resources as a result of duplicity in spending. Thus there must be a single body
that constitutes a term of reference and serves as an umbrella for social
solidarity, that works within a clear plan within an institutional framework and
that is accountable.
Honorable Senators,
Honorable Deputies,
We are at a new threshold of the reform and modernization march, and confronting
the challenges imposed upon us by difficult regional circumstances requires each
and every one of us to rise to the challenge of this moment. It requires that
Parliament deal with the government with a sense of responsibility; reach out to
the people in drafting the legislation that will drive development forward;
enable us to face these challenges; realize the Jordanian people’s desire for
development and progress; tell the world we are stronger than all our
challenges; and that we will always be – as we always have been – loyal to the
Arab nation, defending its just causes, primary among them the Palestinian
question.
We are with the Palestinians, with all that we can offer, until they establish
their independent state on their national soil.
And we are with the Iraqi people as they pass through their ordeal and until
Iraq is restored to its natural status and its citizens enjoy a decent, free and
secure life.
We will continue to draw on Jordan’s outstanding international reputation and
credibility to enhance our distinguished relations with all brotherly and
friendly countries for the good of Jordan.
I pray to God, the Sublime, to grant us all success.
Peace, God’s mercy and His blessings be upon you.