Jordan’s Position on Iraq

 

On November 10, 2009, during an interview by Al Hayat, His Majesty King Abdullah II stressed that "War was not an acceptable option, and we were tremendously concerned about the Iraqi people and the threat that war posed to them. We tried our best to convince all concerned parties that dialogue was the best option and to avert war and resort to UN institutions in order to resolve conflicts. We also urged the Iraqi government to avoid aggravating the situation and to protect Iraqis from the scourge of war. But, unfortunately, what's done is done." His Majesty King Abdullah II also

stressed Jordan's support to Iraq "Our main concern was to help the Iraqis overcome this ordeal, and we did everything in our power to achieve that. Iraq is a major Arab state, and the Iraq people are our kin. Their security and the stability of their country and building a secure future for them is necessary for the region's stability. We hope that the Iraqis will be able to achieve security and stability and rebuild their country." In addition, His Majesty reiterated that Jordan's "relationship with Iraq is a relationship between two states and their institutions. We are extremely keen on Iraq's security and its stability, and we communicate with the Iraqi government and leadership in order to do whatever we can to serve the interests of Iraq. Let me remind you that hundreds of thousands of Iraqis came to Jordan, where they are welcomed guests. I have personally instructed that they be given all possible facilities and assistance until they're able to return home. We want Iraq to regain its stability and prestige in order for its people to live in their own country where security, peace and equality prevail. For that reason, we have supported the political process in Iraq and have stressed the need for Iraqis to overcome their differences and build their nation in a way that includes all segments of Iraqi society. " [see full text] On March 16, 2009, during an exclusive interview by Publico, His Majesty King Abdullah II reiterated that "Iraq’s stability is essential for the stability of the whole region. Iraqis in Jordan have been welcome guests until they are able and choose to return to their country. Many have contributed to our economy. But the high number of Iraqis who reside in Jordan also strained our already tight resources, water, education, the health system. And of course, we are not worried about affluent Iraqis going back to their country. On the contrary, it is in our interest for the Iraqis to be able to rebuild their country. Iraq was Jordan's main trade partner, and our economy will benefit from the growth of the Iraqi economy, in trade, in investment and in many other areas. But beyond economic relations, Iraq has always been a major country in the Middle East, and it is in everybody's interest that Iraq overcomes its problems and that Iraqis be able to rebuild their country and restore to it its vital role in the region."  [see full text] On June 28th, 2004, His Majesty King Abdullah II stressed Jordan's support to Iraq and to all steps taken by the Iraqi government to establish security and stability in Iraq. In his cable which were sent to Iraqi President, Ghazi Yawer, on the occasion of transferring power to Iraqi people, the King said that this step is deemed an important stage in the history of Iraq, pointing to Jordan's keenness to place all its potentials to help Iraq to restore its position as independent and democratic state. ''The unity of the Iraqi people at this stage is the only guarantee to prevent those who try to destabilize the security and stability of Iraq,'' the King added in the cable. Jordan welcomes the March 8th, 2004 signing of an interim constitution by Iraq's Governing Council as a “step forward.” On April 23, 2006, during His Majesty King Abdullah's Interview with Al Sabah Al Jadid Newspaper, His Majesty stressed that "Iraq is the security valve for Arabs and the region. There can be no security and stability as long as the Iraqi wound bleeds. We would like to assure the Iraqis that your Jordanian and Arab brothers are pained by the blood that is being shed and by what they see happening in Iraq, a country that has enriched humanity with its ancient civilisation. Because of this, we are using all available means to help you overcome this situation, and we call on religious authorities, ulema and political and tribal leaderships in Iraq to unite for the future of Iraq and the future of our nation."    His Majesty also reiterated that Jordan's training of Iraqi police and security forces stems from concern for the security and unity of Iraq. His Majesty added that Jordan are "thoroughly convinced that as long as we secure the establishment of a strong Iraqi army and a qualified and trained police force, Iraq's reconstruction can be assured along with an end to foreign presence there. The program continues, and we hope that through it, we are making a contribution to Iraq's security and stability in all areas of the country. We have so far trained more than 32,000 police personnel and 7,000 Iraqi military personnel. We are training 3,000 more police right now. This is in addition to training of civilian personnel in sectors such as electricity and air transport, as well as others." [see full text] During His Majesty King Abdullah II's remarks at the Gertrude Castellow Ford Center - University of Mississippi on February 3, 2006, His Majesty King Abdullah stressed that "there is a huge responsibility also on the international community to support the Iraqi people as they rebuild their country and restore stability and security. The entire world has a stake in a unified, stable, and prosperous Iraq. Indeed, in the December elections, millions of voters ignored insurgent threats and cast their ballots. We hope a coalition government will be formed, moving the country toward a more inclusive polity. As progress continues, as Iraqi security forces are strengthened, it is vital to maintain the security and stability needed for success." [see full text] Excerpts from HM King Abdullah II's interview with Asharq Al Awsat Editor-in-Chief Tariq Al-Homayed, January 2007 "Despite our small size and abilities and our limited natural resources, we share with the Iraqis our livelihood and we provide them with facilities and services and will do so until they can return to their country and partake in Iraq's reconstruction. Jordan since its founding has been - and will continue to be - a refuge for anyone who seeks it, especially our Arab brethren. The important thing is that whoever lives on Jordanian soil must respect the laws and regulations of this country and preserve its security and stability. That includes the Iraqis living in Jordan. I want to stress, again, that while we foster our historic relations with Iraqis, whether in Iraq or those living among us (their number exceeds 700,000), we will never allow Jordan to become a staging ground for initiating problems within Iraq." [see full text] Excerpts from HM King Abdullah II's interview with NBC's The Today Show on September 16, 2005 "But you know, Iraq is extremely important, and our concern is at this time when we have the constitution being finalized and when we have elections at the end of the year, we do need the presence of coalition forces to help the Iraqi government create as much security as possible so that we can give the Iraqis this chance." [see full text] In addition, His Majesty stressed on Jordan's commitment "to support Iraqis in their quest to regain their sovereignty, rebuild their institutions, and establish a society based on freedom and democracy," during a media availability with US President George Bush on May 6, 2004. His Majesty also added that "stability, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq is an objective we both share, and we are determined to achieve it. Jordan is also committed to a process of political and economic reform in the region." [see full text]

During a speech in the World Affairs Council of Northern California Commonwealth Club of San Francisco on Dec. 11, 2004, His Majesty King Abdullah stressed that "regional and global stability demands a rebuilt and democratic Iraq. To achieve that, the international community must be an active partner, not just in humanitarian assistance, but in helping Iraq achieve security and reconciliation. That includes practical, effective measures to rebuild political institutions, restore a functioning economy, and restore trust.

Iraq urgently needs a legitimate and inclusive political system. It is important that the upcoming elections be held as soon as possible - and it is also important that they be inclusive. To build confidence, majority rule must be coupled with minority rights. Iraqi Shiites and Sunnis should hold, sacred, Iraq's Arab allegiance. And all Iraqis should reject any interference in Iraq's internal affairs. Let's keep the goal in sight: a sovereign, pluralistic, violence-free Iraq that gives its people a future. It is in all our interests - and it is the right thing to do - to work together to support and assist that process."

His Majesty also expressed Jordan's commitment to "doing all it can to assist and support Iraq's future. For us, this is part of a larger responsibility: to promote unity, stability and development throughout the Arab World." [see full text]

Jordan views any step decided by the Iraqi people and their authorities that helps them recover their responsibilities and authority quickly and contribute to rebuilding Iraq's national institutions as a step forward.

Jordan hopes this development will help the Iraqi people recover their sovereignty as soon as possible as well as preserve their unity, security and safety.

Interview Excerpts from HM King Abdullah II during an interview with Le Figaro on September 28, 2004:

"Jordan’s position is crystal clear: There has to be a recall of the former Iraqi army. Not the generals but the middle rank staff, the officers and the rank officers who alone have the necessary staff numbers and potential to restore order." [see full text]

Remarks by His Excellency Farouq Qasrawi Minister of Foreign Affairs during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on June 19, 2005:

"On Iraq, Jordan supports the present political process in Iraq and is keen to have the strongest possible relations with Iraq. We hope that the drafting of the constitution will proceed successfully and swiftly within an inclusive process that represents all segments of the Iraqi people. I reiterated our firm condemnation of terrorism and the violence in Iraq, and expressed our hope that Iraqi people will overcome this violence through their unity and resolve." [see full text]

Excerpts from His Excellency Dr. Marwan Muasher, Minister of Foreign Affairs'
Statement during the 59th UN General Assembly on September 27, 2004

"While Jordan underscores its support for the government of Iraq, it stands ready to lend all possible assistance to Iraq, its people and government in the forthcoming phase in order to enable the country to rebuild itself, manage its own affairs and restore its regional and international status."

The ongoing transition in Iraq and the development of the political and economic processes there require the cooperation of all parties in supporting this approach. This should enable the Iraqi people to determine their political future without external intervention, to control their natural resources and to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity. Despite the overwhelming odds and the current instability, it is our hope that elections of the transitional national assembly and the formation of a transitional government will be completed by the end of January 2005. Jordan calls upon all states to provide every possible assistance towards achieving such goals. The United Nations obviously has a pivotal role to play to ensure a successful outcome. In this context, we welcome the appointment by the Secretary-General of his Special Representative to Iraq, Mr. Ashraf Jehangir Qazi and express our willingness to fully cooperate with him in order to ensure complete and smooth fulfillment of the United Nations mandate in Iraq as set forth in Security Council resolution 1546." [see full text]

His Excellency stressed Jordan's position against violence, killing of civilians and beheadings in Iraq and Jordan's commitment "to helping our Iraqi brothers in terms of training Iraqi police and army units in order to enable them to improve their capacity to restore control over the security situation, as well as through the provision of humanitarian assistance. It is indeed regrettable that there is still a tiny minority representing extremist movements and organizations that seek political power by means of terror and brutality under the false pretext of Islamic action. Such groups exploit Islam as a means of achieving political or even personal gains by resorting to violence and terrorism thus, unfortunately, tarnishing the image of Islam, a faith of moderation and tolerance."

"We also strongly condemn all acts of terror, including those gruesome and blind acts perpetrated in Madrid and Beslan, which require our firm collective stand in combating them." His Excellency added. [see full text]

Interview excerpts by His Majesty King Abdullah II during an interview with Al-Arabiyya TV on August 3, 2004

"What is required now from Arab and neighboring countries, is to provide all support and assistance to the Iraqi government, to enable it enforce security and stability, and enhance the subsequent withdrawal of coalition forces of Iraqi territory. Without security control, the justification will remain for the continued presence of such forces."

"We do not want to replace an American tank in Iraq with a Jordanian one. Therefore, we wish our friends and brethren would understand our position. But if the Iraqi brethren were to ask for the participation of an Arab force on their land, we would there and then look into this matter, and do what is appropriate." [see full text]

Remarks by His Majesty King Abdullah II at the Opening of the World Economic Forum on May 15, 2004

"It is also urgent for the international community to be an active partner in building a legitimate, inclusive and effective political process in Iraq. Questions about the credibility of that process will encourage extremism and obstruct the process of regional reform. Iraqis deserve the world's wholehearted support in their quest for stability, sovereignty and freedom. We must respect the national identity of Iraq, and never forget Iraq's historical contribution to human civilisation — from the time, more than 38 hundred years ago, when it established the world's first legal code."
[see full text]

Interview excerpts by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News with His Majesty King Abdullah II on May 16, 2004

"We want to see a stable Iraq that is a part of the international community. If we see a disintegration of Iraq, if we see, God forsake, the worst-case scenario, civil war, then the whole region will be dragged into Iraq. And you know, we had a slight glimpse of the civil war in Lebanon several decades ago. This would be completely different. This would pull in countries from all over the region. "

"my position is -- and I believe it should be applied to all the other countries that have borders with Iraq -- is that we're not the right candidates for peacekeeping. There are other countries in the Middle East that can commit to the future of Iraq,"
[see full text]

During an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on March 14, 2004, Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher said that Jordan "have welcomed the new interim basic law, which was approved by all Iraqis. We want a process that would lead to, not only majority rule, but minority rights, so that we don't have civil war at our doorstep."
[see full text]

Jordan strongly condemns the March 2nd attacks on the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Karbala which killed at least 170 people. Jordan condemns any actions which target innocent civilians and denounces the use of such methods.

Jordan hopes that such action will not fuel religious discord between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in Iraq.

Jordan will do its utmost to ensure that terrorists do not get their way, that there will be hope for the future of Iraq and the whole of the Middle East. 

On March 3rd, 2004, His Majesty King Abdullah said during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London: “We've seen that signature before, where they have tried to create the struggle between east and west, to try and take on not only the Sunnis inside the Islamic world, but — as we've seen today — targeting innocent Shiites to try and create a struggle inside Islam.”

His Majesty stressed that “we will do our utmost... to ensure that the terrorists do not win the day, that there will be hope not only for the future of Iraq, but for all of us in the Middle East.”  [see full text]

Jordan welcomes the creation of the Iraqi Council, but also stresses the need to work expeditiously towards the establishment of a full-fledged, legitimate and representative Iraqi government as a cornerstone of the process of rebuilding Iraq and ultimately the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Iraq in the near future. 

Jordan underlines the need to guarantee the political and territorial integrity of Iraq in the reconstruction period. Jordan believes that the Iraqi people must be allowed to choose their leadership and establish their own government.

His Majesty King Abdullah stated; "we believe in democracy and the right of peoples to choose their leadership, we cannot imagine that people would accept the outside imposition of a leadership against their will."

Jordan believes that the international community and the United Nations should have a pivotal and central role in Iraq, including active political participation in the next phase that transcends the humanitarian aspect in order to safeguard and guarantee that any Iraqi government that emerges in the future would have international as well as domestic legitimacy.

Jordan is committed to continue its leading efforts in providing humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people and to utilize its territory as a transit point through which humanitarian assistance is channeled to Iraq from different countries and international organizations. Jordan is currently training 30,000 Iraqi police. And Jordan is keen on continuing and consolidating its solid historic relations with the Iraqi people and committed to developing it further in all aspects.

Jordan had constantly stressed in the past that Iraq must comply fully with all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including resolution 1441. His Majesty King Abdullah has exerted diligent efforts to bring about a peaceful settlement to the Iraqi crisis and avoid war in the region. However, Jordanian, Arab and international diplomatic efforts have failed to avert war.

Address by His Excellency Dr. Marwan Muasher, Minister of Foreign Affairs on March 15, 2004 at the Woodrow Wilson International Center

"We believe that on one hand Arab states need to take a proactive position to help Iraqis during the present crisis. But regardless of the position any of us took -- opposing or siding with the war on Iraq -- the fact is today that without a proactive Arab role helping Iraqis, the occupation is going to last longer. And therefore if the objective is to shorten the time of the occupation, then we all need to take a proactive role in helping Iraqis during this time. And I think both the neighboring states’ last meeting in Kuwait went extremely positively in sending that signal to the Iraqis, as well as the Arab foreign ministers in Cairo which also sent a positive signal, signaling that Arabs truly do want to play a constructive role whether it is in the political process, whether it is in the reconstruction phase or whether it is in the economic fields as well.

We also believe in Jordan that the political process in Iraq has to be coupled with rebuilding the Iraqi security capability, if we are talking about preserving the unity of the country. We cannot talk about the unity of Iraq being preserved indefinitely by foreign forces. And if Iraqis are to assume control of their security situation over the whole country, then it is imperative that all of us help in rebuilding the security capability. This is why Jordan took the decision of training Iraqi police force and members of the military, as well. We are now training close to 35,000 members of the police force over a period of two years, in addition to 4,000 or 5,000 members from the military. But that is not enough, and we do not want to reach a stage where a political process is developed but is not coupled with a security capability.
[see full text]

Address by His Majesty King Abdullah at the 49th Munich Conference on Security Policy on February 8, 2004

"No discussion of the future of the Middle East can be complete without addressing the prospects for Iraq. Here as well, it is urgent that the friends of freedom win the peace. That means more than replacing the old failed structure. There must be sustainable security, security in which Iraqis are able to resolve their own problems peacefully. It is not a question of how fast an election is held, but how well the governing institutions are built. It is the substance, not the pace of change that will ultimately define success.

As Iraq's neighbors, we bear a specific responsibility: To do all that is in our capability, to help the men and women of Iraq achieve the foundations for self-determination. This is the path to a free and prospering future, one that can benefit Iraqis, and help opportunity flourish across the region. It is the path to Iraq's historic place: A great country, of knowledge and opportunities, within the family of Arab and Middle Eastern nations." [see full text]

Interview excerpt by PBS's NewsHour with Jim Lehrer with His Majesty King Abdullah on December 5, 2003

"The security situation is pretty bad. The only way to solve that is to get Iraqis back on the street as opposed to coalition forces. So the quicker we can train police and military, Iraqi police and military to take over for the coalition forces, the security situation will improve. The difficulty, there's a parallel track, also, the government's problem of handing the governing capabilities back to the Iraqis." [see full text]

Remarks by HM King Abdullah on October 8, 2003 at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs - Stockholm 

" It is urgent that the friends of freedom win the peace, in Iraq. That means swift, effective reconstruction and the establishment of a credible, legitimate government. The ultimate objective must be a political process that will lead to an Iraqi Government that is freely selected by the Iraqi people." [see full text]

Statement by His Excellency Dr. Marwan Muasher, Minister of Foreign Affairs on September 29, 2003 before the Fifty-Eighth Session of the General Assembly of The United Nations

" I wish to emphasize the need to safeguard the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq; to ensure the withdrawal of the foreign occupation forces as quickly as possible; and to enable the people of Iraq to determine their future by themselves. Therefore, we welcomed the formation of the transitional Governing Council as a first and important step towards the composition of a broad-based government that represents the full spectrum of the Iraqi population, to be elected by the people of Iraq as expeditiously as possible on the basis of a constitution accepted and endorsed by the people of Iraq. Against this backdrop, we decided to deal positively with the Governing Council as well as with all political affiliations in Iraq. In this context, let me elaborate that my Government has accepted the assumption, on a temporary basis, by the representatives of the transitional Iraqi government of the seat of Iraq in the League of Arab States on the understanding that Iraq will subsequently move towards the drafting of the constitution of Iraq and the holding of elections leading to the formation of a representative Iraqi government." [see full text]

Remarks by His Excellency Dr. Marwan Muasher, Minister of Foreign Affairs on September 30, 2003 before the Council of Foreign Relations

"Jordan will train the Iraqi police force, or part of the Iraqi police force. What we have agreed on now is to train 30,000 people in Jordan, who will come to Jordan in batches of 15 hundred. And over the course of the next year we will hopefully be able to train 30,000 of them, because in the end, only the Iraqi security services and police force are the ones that can hold the country together and control the security situation." [see full text] 

Jordan' rejected its territory to be used as a launching pad for any military action that could be mounted against Iraq. Any limited presence of American forces in Jordan, was purely in the context of meeting Jordan's defensive needs and is solely within those parameters. In this context the Patriot Missiles arrived earlier in February 2003 to provide Jordan and Jordanian airspace with a defensive umbrella against any potential violations or threats from any direction. A few hundred training crews that arrived in Jordan with the Missile batteries were there for the sole purpose of training their Jordanian counterparts on operating the batteries.

Jordan is deeply committed to the humanitarian situation in the war on Iraq. Prior to the outbreak, Jordan had set up two refugee camps on the Eastern border, one for Iraqis and another for 3rd country nationals. Jordan's Foreign Minister stated that Jordan will " live up to our humanitarian responsibility, we cannot let these people die, so we will live up to our responsibilities to the best of our ability," he added. Each of these camps has the initial capacity for 10,000 refugees. Jordan also granted international human rights organizations access to an expected influx of refugees for help and medical attention.

His Majesty King Abdullah stressed the urgency of stepping-up efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of the US led war against Iraq by directing the government to accelerate delivery of medical and food donations to the Arab country. 
The Jordan Armed Forces to set up a field hospital in Iraq to treat the injured and sick. The Jordanian field hospital in Fallujah has treated 377,000 (as of November 2004) Iraqi citizens since it embarked on its humanitarian mission in April 2003. A Jordanian medical team was sent from the Ministry of health to Al-Ritabeh to vaccinate Iraqi children, which to date have totaled 10,000 Iraqi children. 

The Government of Jordan launched the Jordanian Initiative to provide emergency humanitarian aid and facilitate its swift delivery into Iraq through Jordan. The government also coordinated with international agencies and NGOs to channel humanitarian aid directly to Iraq or through the Hashemite Charity Organization and the Crisis Management Center. Jordan's efforts at ensuring a safe humanitarian corridor and smooth flow of goods have registered a new world record in the delivery of urgently needed food supplies achieving a rate of 12,9000 tons per day.