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Monday, September 17, 2007
Today's News
- U.S., Jordan Sign Nuclear Development Accord
- by Yoav Stern (Haaretz) & AP
The United States has signed an accord with Jordan aimed at supporting the peaceful development of the kingdom’s nascent nuclear program.
The agreement comes at a time of heightened tensions over Iran’s controversial nuclear program, which the U.S. suspects is a cover for weapons development - a charge Tehran denies.
Jordan and several other Sunni Arab countries have recently announced plans to develop peaceful nuclear programs.
- Iraq to Resume Oil Shipments to Jordan
- by Agence France Presse
Iraq is to start this week delivering oil to Jordan at preferential rates under a year-old agreement, the kingdom’s transport minister said in an interview.
"The Iraqi side has informed the Jordanian authorities that it was ready deliver shipments … within three days," Saud Nessayrat told Ad-Dustour daily.
The crude will be transported from Iraq’s volatile northern oil hub of Kirkuk, Nessayrat said.
- U.S. to Give Jordan Extra $78m for Counter Terrorism and Refugees
- by the Associated Press
The United States is giving cash-strapped Jordan an additional $78 million this year to boost its Arab ally’s efforts to combat terrorism and compensate it for hosting hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees.
The money, which will be disbursed by September 30, is in addition to $454 million in economic and military aid already appropriated this fiscal year for Jordan.
- Deadline Extended for School Enrolment
- by Linda Hindi (The Jordan Times)
The Ministry of Education has extended by two weeks a September 15 deadline for Iraqi schoolchildren to enroll in public schools, as UN organizations reported a below expectation turnout on registration.
The decision to extend the original deadline of September 15 to the end of the month was meant to help students who are having problems accessing the necessary official papers, according to a ministry official.
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Setting the Record Straight
"Pursuit of an Israeli-Palestinian political horizon may in fact run counter to the interests and preferences of both sides. Instead, investing in an Arab-Palestinian political horizon - including early negotiations on the outline of an eventual Jordanian- Palestinian confederation - may be more realistic, valuable and effective."
–Robert Satloff, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, June 26, 2007
VS.
“Confederation with whom? And on what basis? Is it a confederation with the Palestinian people? Or with the PLO? Or with any other Palestinian organization? I want answers to these questions… any talk about federation or confederation before the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is suspect, unreasonable and intended to stir discord. It is completely unacceptable.”
–King Abdullah II of Jordan, interview with JTV, August 31, 2007
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Jordan: Pressed From All Sides
TODAY'S FEATURE
"The Arab–Israeli conflict has been one of the main external factors influencing the nature of economic reform in Jordan."
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by Sufyan Alissa, Carnegie Endownment for International Peace Regional conflicts, particularly the Arab–Israeli conflict and the recent occupation of Iraq, have had a negative impact on the process of economic reform in Jordan. These conflicts have brought increasing economic opportunities, as people, goods, and capital move to Jordan or transit through it, providing temporary relief to the economy and concealing the necessity of real reform. The conflicts have also brought additional security and political constraints that lead to a more rigid state response and impose significant social and economic burdens on the majority of Jordanians, pushing the state to maintain its traditional services and patronage networks. Access the full article (PDF)>>
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Middle East Analysis
by Brigadier General (ret.) Shlomo Brom, Former Deputy Commander of the IDF Strategic Planning Division (YNet)
Jordan’s primary objective is to preserve the integrity of the state and the regime in a situation in which it is surrounded by stronger states and, more recently, by chronic crises (Iraq and the PA) that threaten to export problems to Jordan.
Jordan relates to the West Bank not as territory lost in 1967 that should be regained, but rather, as an area that projects permanent threats to Jordan’s existence, especially the threat to the demographic balance and the idea, popular on the Israeli Right, that Jordan is Palestine.
Reunification of the two banks under the current circumstances would mean that Jordan would lose the separate character and independent identity it has managed to formulate and would be transformed into a Palestinian state. That explains the King’s acerbic comments. But he also fears that Israel and the United States are unwilling to do what is necessary in order to promote a settlement of the Palestinian problem and want to throw the ball into Jordan’s court. Access the full article>>
by Waleed Sadi, former Jordanian ambassador to Turkey and the United Nations (Bitterlemons)
Jordan is right now in a unique position to act as a mediator between Israel and the Palestinians. Bolstered by an Arab peace initiative that was endorsed by the entire Arab world during the last summit in Saudi Arabia a few months ago, King Abdullah II can now convincingly approach the table with a comprehensive Arab mandate to broker peace.
Unlike other Arab countries except Egypt, Jordan already has a peace treaty with Israel and maintains diplomatic relations with the Jewish state. Furthermore, Jordan’s own national strategic interests are at stake and will be immeasurably bolstered by a lasting peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Jordan wants its western flank secured as soon as possible.
Furthermore, in more ways than one, Jordanian and Palestinian national interests coincide. Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza, while Jordan wants stability and security in both the Palestinian territories and Israel. King Abdullah, like his father the late King Hussein before him, enjoys the confidence of the Israelis who know that the peace treaty between Jordan and Israel serves the strategic interests of both countries and that Jordan therefore wants nothing less than a secure Israel. Access the full article>>
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Heard on the Street
David Hale, U.S. Ambassador to Jordan, Meeting of Countries Hosting Iraqis, July 26, 2007:
"The displacement of so many Iraqis to neighboring countries represents not only a humanitarian crisis for Iraq and Iraqis, but it also has a strong and deep impact on neighboring countries now hosting displaced Iraqis…The number of Iraqis abroad, primarily in Jordan and Syria, continues to increase. They remain valued citizens of Iraq and their welfare and well-being are important to the Government of Iraq and the international community, for once they are able to return to Iraq, they will be essential to rebuilding the country and restoring its prosperity…The countries hosting displaced Iraqis, especially Syria and Jordan, have willingly and generously assumed a huge humanitarian burden."
Background Basics
5.6 million = Total population (est. 2006)
Refugees in Jordan (est. 2005):
1.7 million = Population of UNRWA registered Palestinian refugees in Jordan
16% = Percentage of UNRWA registered Palestinian refugees living in camps
705,133 = Number of these that are originally from the West Bank
122,556 = Number of these that are originally from Gaza
750,000 = Iraqi refugees in Jordan (est. 2007)
Economy (est. 2006):
$30 billion = GDP
6.3% = Real growth rate
$5,100= GDP per capita (PPP)
GDP - composition by sector :
3.6% = Agriculture
30.5% = Industry
65.9% = Services
15.4% = Official unemployment rate
30% = Approximate unofficial employment rate
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Middle East Progress appreciates the support and cooperation of Americans for Peace Now, Geneva Initiative, Israel Policy Forum, and New Israel Fund.
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