Speech before the Los Angeles World Affairs Council on May 9, 2001:

His Excellency Ali Abu Al – Ragheb
The Prime Minister of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It really is a privilege to be here with you today and to address this distinguished gathering at the World Affairs Council in Los Angeles. I am very grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to the discussion that will follow.

Almost one year ago, His Majesty King Abdullah addressed members of the Council at this same place. In his remarks, His Majesty emphasized the need for developing a commonality of human values among nations, especially in the Middle East. "The establishment of a new model of relations that would develop regional cooperation, and cement and sustain the long cherished peace, would help achieve this goal", His Majesty maintained. A year later, this need is more crucial than ever. In many ways, the past year has made the region go back to square one and redefine the pre-requisites of stability and order. Most importantly, the heavy price paid by the region during the last eight months in terms of human lives, pain, suffering, and shattered dreams, has reminded us all that peace must be just for it to be lasting. It forced upon us the need to move quickly, and rescue the peace, if our region is to have any hope for a future. Rising above the distinctions that divide, and embracing the common values that unite, have thus become an existential requirement for the continued survival of our region.

Today, we all face a responsibility to save the region from the impending dangers of the abyss, and bring it back to the course of fulfilling the hopes of the future. We all have a stake and a vested interest in ending the cycle of war, hatred and conflict, and re-igniting the candle of peace, stability and cooperation. The parties must recognize that the future of the entire region is at stake. This is why they must return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and discuss the parameters of the solution.

The United States has a special responsibility in achieving this. It is the only country that can utilize its role and credibility with the parties to assist and support the regional efforts to end the violence and resume the process of making peace. In this, the U.S.’ role would build upon its historical vital interests in the region and would chart the course for a new relationship with the countries in the Middle East. It is precisely in this context, ladies and gentlemen, that I would like to discuss the relations between my country, Jordan, and the United States of America.

Jordan’s model of democracy, political freedom, and liberal economic thinking is a successful example of a modern nation that seeks to enter the new age with confidence and strength. It is a determination borne out of solid beliefs in a tolerant religion, a diverse culture, and a history filled with achievement and experience. I represent a country that has continuously placed its regional responsibilities on top of its agenda and has always sought to nurture moderation and stability, in a region, which has been deprived of both. A country that has weathered regional political turmoil brought about by protracted conflicts, wars, and tension. A country intent on providing economic opportunity to a young population, that is eager to harness its talents for the good of its nation. A country where the rule of law is the norm and where democracy, human rights and pluralism define the political landscape. We are pioneering an example in the region that must succeed if these principles are to be espoused by others in the neighborhood. It is one that is in continuous need of strength, politically, economically and socially. It is with this in mind that we have prioritized our national agenda to reflect the required measures that would enable us to play a positive and leading role in the new set of inter- regional relations. At the top of this agenda is our determination to deepen our democratization process and to ensure that the culture of democracy becomes embedded in society through daily practices. An important aspect in this regard is the issue of national unity. Jordanians, men and women, regardless of origin, religion, or ideology need to feel equal before the law, as guaranteed by our Constitution. We need to strive to guarantee through legislation and practice that this becomes a reality. A strong and independent judiciary that will ensure full transparency and security for all citizens is a matter that is of utmost importance. We are committed to amend existing legislation and introduce new laws as may be required to guarantee that the opportunities are there for all Jordanians to participate in the development of their civil society. Equally important is our determination to pursue the path of economic reform and to adopt and pursue liberal policies regarding trade, investments, and the free movement of capital. Jordan has been a leading pioneer in this regard. Our continued efforts to achieve monetary and fiscal stability, the successful privatization of government-owned companies, and the determination to improve the investment climate in the Kingdom, have placed us at the forefront of those countries intent on helping themselves before seeking the assistance of others. Jordan’s entry into an Association Agreement with the European Union, which among other commitments, guarantees the establishment of a Free Trade Area Agreement with the countries of the EU, and our accession to the World Trade Organization, have paved the way for an effective and meaningful participation in the global economy. Last year, the growth of the economy reached almost 4 % of our GDP, in real terms and for the first time in a number of years, led to positive growth in per capita income.

In fact, we are providing a model for the region where Jordanians achievements become building blocs for the new Middle East and where our domestic reform effort can become a catalyst for establishing a new reality, one where social and economic development would replace political struggles, and where peace and coexistence would usher in a new mode of cooperation and fulfillment.

This model of success must be supported by the United States, for it to become a platform of regional peace, cooperation, and stability. It is similar to the initiatives advanced by European countries at the end of the Second World War. Those efforts, which paved for the Marshall Plan to lead the way for economic prosperity of the present European Union, provide the precedent. Nowadays, more than 375 million citizens of Europe, free from the burden of war, are full participants in shaping the global economy. A Middle East Recovery Program, that would allow for its regeneration, and for the transfer of know-how and capital would maintain stability and sustain the peace, in a region, that has suffered for too long. It would follow the completion of a process that would include the restoration and compensation of the rights of those who sought and those who offered refuge, in addition to the rehabilitation of the economies of the troubled region. It is a call that His Majesty King Abdullah advanced at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. last month and that needs to be carefully understood and hopefully implemented. We in Jordan are keen to pioneer the re – generation of the region through the cementing of the principles that we espouse and the success that our political, social and economic model offers. We count upon our friends in the United States for support in terms of encouraging the transfer of capital and knowhow to our country and also in terms of providing open access for Jordanian goods and services to the U.S. markets via the Free Trade Area Agreement signed in October of last year. Political coordination and security cooperation have long characterized the special relations between our two countries. The alliance has paid off in terms of the viability of a model that makes peace and builds it, and that advocates democracy and practices it. Most importantly, however, the model has to succeed in responding to the plight of ordinary men and women who seek a better life and a more secure future. This is the real test that will provide the successful example for others to follow.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The United States has long invested in the viability and continuity of the Middle East as a region. This has defined the vitality of the political and economic interests vested in a region that was geo–strategically important in the context of the Cold War. The significance of the Middle East has certainly outlived the East – West confrontation and has therefore necessitated the adoption of a new approach that seeks to build confidence among the different allies of the United States and to establish a new mode of cooperation in the region. The new framework would emphasize the need for the countries of the region to adopt democratic principles, and seek coexistence and economic cooperation with their neighbors. It is high time for the region to start adopting measures for integration and stop seeking to create new ways of strife and conflict. The international community demands it; the regional circumstances call for it and the peoples of the Middle East yearn for it. The countries of the region have a collective responsibility to join efforts so that the problems of the region can be addressed in a constructive manner. Through the Jordanian-Egyptian initiative, we have been very pro-active in attempting to re-start the peace process through a series of steps that would bring down violence and bring back both parties to the negotiations table. This initiative concentrates on the implementation of agreed-upon commitments, a fact that would assure security and reduce the level of violence. To start with, it would lift the economic blockade against the Palestinians and ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops. An essential component of it is also to agree on a freeze of all settlement activities and a resumption of peace negotiations that would take into account progress made in all previous negotiations. The need to assure Israelis and Palestinians of their security is well understood by Jordan and by the international community. The continued drive to expand settlements by Israel is not acceptable , and only enforces the Palestinians’ impression that Israel is not serious about peace, or that there will be little land left for them to build a state and achieve their dream of living peacefully with their neighbors. We must also work not only to restart negotiations, but also to aim to conclude them within a specified time frame. Again, let me reiterate that the role of the United States in bringing all of this to reality is vital. The engagement of the United States as the broker of peace is essential at this stage when the parties themselves cannot bring about an end to the seemingly endless cycle of violence.

On another regional issue, also with direct impact on U.S. policy in the Middle East, it is clear by now that the sanctions regime policy against Iraq has failed. It has not resulted in a change of policy by the Iraqi government, while it has done much damage to the Iraqi people and countries neighboring Iraq. While Iraq has lost an opportunity in the last Arab summit to significantly advance Arab consensus on the need to lift sanctions against it, we still need to have a concerted effort to find a solution to this problem. For economic and strategic reasons that affect regional security, and long-term peace and stability in the Middle East, Iraq must become part of the region once more. Jordan stands with any effort that would ease the difficult economic conditions the Iraqis continue to go through, as well as to ease the burden on countries neighboring Iraq, including our own. We are hopeful that the United Nations will soon agree on a new arrangement that would do so. We look forward to the day when all sanctions against Iraq are lifted, so that it can resume its place in the region and within the international community.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Jordan will continue to play a moderating role that seeks to enhance peace, security and cooperation among all the countries of the Middle East. The indispensable role of the United States in laying the ground for this new framework can hardly be exaggerated. Now is the time for the U.S.’ role to be played. It is time for the principles and interests that guide U.S. policy in the Middle East to evoke a pro – active approach that rises to the level of the present challenge, and that assures the peoples of the region that the friendship and alliance with the United States will help build peace and sustain development in our region. We in Jordan look forward to a continuing and close partnership with the United States, one that will define a new course for the region, paved by a successful, pioneering vision and leadership. One that seeks to enhance the commonality of values among all the peoples of the Middle East.

Thank you very much.