KARAK -- His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday addressed issues of pressing national concern including the democratic reform process, the recent outbreaks of violence across the country and the Syrian crisis.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 26th class of Mutah University's Military Wing, which was also attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, King Abdullah responded to doubts that some citizens have over the Kingdom's political reform process.
Towards democracy
Calling on the movement towards democracy to be undertaken without "fear or hesitation", the King said the path that Jordan must take in order to achieve an advanced level of parliamentary government is clear, adding the role of the Lower House as a form of "constructive opposition" would be consolidated through this process.
To ensure that Jordan realises all of its reforms, the country must acquire "political maturity", the Monarch said, noting that all national politics should fall within the context of the Jordanian parliamentary monarchy system that is legitimised by the Constitution.
Violence not inherent in local culture
Speaking on domestic issues, King Abdullah said the recently witnessed cases of violence across Jordanian society and at some universities were utterly unacceptable, inexcusable and alien to Jordan's values, customs and culture.
"We cannot keep silent on this issue... This does not belong in Jordanian society, nor the Jordanian state. We cannot accept that our youths' future be hostage to the phenomenon of violence because their future is Jordan's future," said King Abdullah.
King Abdullah dismissed claims that the tribal culture and structure in Jordan are to blame.
"Our culture and authentic tribal structure do not accept violence. We are all sons and daughters of tribes from various backgrounds and origins, whether the badia, villages, cities or refugee camps... This is the most important source of our strength, national unity and our society's security and stability," he said.
"There was never a day when tribe and family were reason for chaos, violence or breaking the law, as some who have no knowledge of the true definition of tribe and nature of tribal society claim," the King added.
His Majesty added that the tribe has always been and will remain a symbol of valour, authentic values, allegiance and the safeguard of security, stability and the rule of law.
The Monarch pinned such violent behaviour as stemming from perceptions of a "lack of justice and equal opportunities", which he said leads to frustration, a sense of injustice and violence.
"On the other hand, laxity in enforcing the law and public order on all, or lack of fairness and equality in applying the law leads to loss of confidence in state institutions and to resorting to violence until a citizen takes the law in his own hands or encroaches on the rights of others," he added.
Developmental gains must be distributed throughout the governorates in order to combat this phenomenon, the King said, noting that this approach would also tackle issues of poverty and unemployment, consolidating good governance and developing economic and social policies in partnership with the grass-roots.
"The solution also lies in applying the law on all without complacency, hesitation or favouritism," added the Monarch.
None is above the law
King Abdullah instructed the state and its institutions to apply the law so as to secure public order and ensure that the rights and property of Jordanian citizens were protected.
"No party has the right to think that it is above the law," the Monarch noted, adding that he is fully confident that the law in Jordan is implemented with transparency and equality.
Syria
Regarding the Syrian crisis, which has become a pressing domestic issue in light of Syrian regime forces and rebels engaging in battles near the Jordanian-Syrian border, the King noted that Jordan is capable of defending itself.
"Should the world not act and help us adequately address this issue, and should this issue become a threat to our country, then we are capable at any time to take the necessary measures to protect our country and people's interests," the King said.
He reiterated that Jordan is dedicated to assisting Syrian refugees, but that the most pressing issue regarding the Syrian crisis was ensuring that the interests of both Jordan and its people were being protected.
According to official estimates, Jordan is currently hosting over 560,000 Syrian refugees. During his speech, the King noted that the government is working to ensure sufficient international financial assistance that will help Jordan cover the cost providing a safe haven to the displaced Syrians.
"Jordan and Jordanians have always measured up to the challenge [of housing refugees] and supported their brothers in the Arab and Muslim world and beyond," he said, adding that this task is not without considerable sacrifice.
To help resolve the Syrian crisis, His Majesty said the Kingdom will continue to exert its utmost efforts to cooperate with its Arab neighbours and the international community including the US, Russia and the EU to find a political solution that preserves the unity and stability of Syria.
The envisioned solution, he said, is one that guarantees that Syrian state institutions will look after their citizens, so that the refugees, not only in Jordan but in all neighbouring countries, will be encouraged to return to their country.
The Palestinian issue
On the Palestinian issue, which is the core issue in the region, King Abdullah said it remains at the top of Jordan's priorities.
Regarding talk of the creation of a confederation, King Abdullah called these calls "out of context and premature".
"This issue will not even be on the table until a fully independent Palestinian state is established, and even then only based on the will of both countries and peoples. Any talk on this issue before that is not in the interest of either the Palestinians or Jordanians," said King Abdullah.
"Under no circumstances will Jordan accept a solution to the Palestinian cause at its own expense... We need to put an end to those rumours, and God willing, this is the last time we talk about this topic," said the King.
'We can win'
Concluding his speech, the Monarch called on Jordanian citizens to cooperate with one another in order to help shoulder the burdens that have been put on Jordan.
"Our history is witness to the fact that we can accomplish a lot with very little means," he noted, calling on state institutions to work in cooperation with the private and public sector so as to protect the interests of all Jordanian citizens.
"Through the cooperation of all, high spirits, devoted work and sense of responsibility we can win over all challenges, as we have won in the past over even greater challenges, and Jordan and Jordanians will remain at the forefront," the King said.
Following the King's speech, the Lower House said it will issue a statement in response to the issues raised by the Monarch, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
At the beginning of its session on Sunday, Lower House Speaker Saad Hayel Srour said: "His Majesty's speech diagnosed the various issues and challenges, whether internal or external."
Speaking on behalf of all House deputies, Srour voiced gratitude and appreciation to King Abdullah, noting that the speech will be adopted by the Lower House and embraced as a guideline.
Also on Sunday, several political and tribal figures and entities stressed the importance of the King's address, which they said clarified several significant issues.
© Jordan Times 2013
