AMMAN - The government adopts a policy of open-mindedness and dialogue with all components of the society as long as such a process is "constructive and healthy", a top government official said.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State and Government Spokesperson Ayman Safadi told The Jordan Times over the phone on Saturday that partners in dialogue are expected to respect the Constitution and the rule of the law.
From the opposition camp, a leading Islamist called on the government to deal with its opponents "with seriousness".
"We are open to any party that is willing to talk and who has workable ideas," said Safadi.
"We look forward to a real partnership with whoever is concerned with serving national interests and the interests of the public," he added, stressing that the government is sincerely looking to build "real partnerships" with the various civil society institutions.
The official was speaking two days after he took part in a televised debate with Hamzah Mansour, the secretary general of the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood movement in the Kingdom, the largest and most influential opposition group.
The debate touched on economic difficulties and living conditions in the country as well as the government's policies and its efforts to realise reform.
Meanwhile, former IAF secretary general Ruheil Gharaibeh told The Jordan Times that the IAF supports a "constructive dialogue that leads to positive results".
"We are not the enemies of anyone and we do not oppose for the sake of opposing. We welcome the government's initiative to start dialogue with the opposition but we want this dialogue to take place within an institutionalised framework and with a clear agenda in order to achieve results," Gharaibeh said.
He stressed that the IAF is ready to cooperate with the authorities "whenever the other side [the government] is ready to deal with the opposition seriously as an important element in the political fabric of the country", adding that the domestic situation is getting worse in all aspects: socially, economically and politically.
"Before we start any dialogue, it is important to acknowledge that we have a problem that needs all parties to shoulder their efforts to address. It is not acceptable to keep denying the deteriorating situation locally and say we are better off than other countries," Gharaibeh added.
"Dialogue is the only way to find solutions to any problem that emerges. We are open to any suggestions or views. We are ready to sit down and talk to any party as long as this is in the service of the country. We have our terms of reference [stipulated in] the laws in effect and the Constitution," Safadi said, concluding that the government "works under the sun and has nothing to hide".
© Jordan Times 2011
