Public Statement by the Jordanian National Movement (JNM) concerning events in Jordan and Palestine/ July, 4, 2006 4 تموز 2006
بيان صادر عن الحركة الوطنية الأردنية
= رئيسها الدكتور أجمد عويدي ألعبادي
The Jordanian National Movement wishes to make its position clear concerning recent events in Jordan and Palestine. As a movement, we are strong believers in democracy, transparency, and have zero tolerance to corruption. We fully support human rights and value human lives greatly. We are; therefore, totally against violence and all forms of terrorism, including state, organized and opinion terrorism and are against all obstacles that prevent people from taking control of there lives and destiny. Freedom of expression , tolerating all views and dialogue to solve all issues of difference are essential pillars of our movement.
The recent events in Jordan are regrettable and have violated all limits of human dignity and rights. We see these as a major setback to human rights and democracy in the country. We view these side fights, which are being forced on our citizens and the organized mobilization of support by the administration to justify an unjustified action and the subsequent reaction by the targeted groups, as steps to divert the attention from the real issues facing the nation.
These issues are basically corruption, the absence of democracy and the absence of any real form of reform by the administration. Sooner or later, the administration will be faced with the people who see major parts of the national wealth being sold for the benefit of influential and connected people. Example of this are the recent selling of the phosphate mines and the selling of Umniah telecommunication. The license was sold to Umniah for a meager JD 4 millions or so. Within around 2 years or less, the company was bought for around 400 millions. We estimate that for the 2 major sells (phosphate and Umniah) the Jordanian citizens have lost may be more than 1 billion dollars.

As for democracy, there is currently a total oppression and supression of opposition or even alternative opinion including JNM. Jordanian people are witnessing worse times than that of the marshal law. Since the administration is not able to slove or handle major ntional issues, we predict that there will be more steps of diversion; including a regional grouping against an imaginary enemy. JNM believes that Jordan has no reason to create animosity with any regional power. We do not know who will be the next scapegoat target. We see total frustration and anger building up among our citizens and we believe that the country is heading for a major unrest and chaos. This will be the ideal ground for breeding terrorism.

As for Palestine, the JNM is shocked by the large number of innocent people who have been killed, injured or displaced by the Israeli army as well as by the size and degree of destruction of the Palestinian infrastructure and institutions. JNM condemns in the strongest terms these actions by Israel and call upon the Israeli government to halt all hostilities against the Palestinian people. The mass punishment of the Palestinian people for their democratic choice is totally unacceptable by us and should not be acceptable by any civilized and free nation. The only way to solve the conflict in our region is by dialogue and fair play. Israel is behaving like a state above the international law. This is not in the interest of neither the people in the region nor world peace.

JNM condemns strongly the total silence of Arab administrations concerning these Israeli practices. JNM would like to remind all Arab heads of states that their real protection is the support of their people and not the promises of foreign powers. We; therefore, urge them all to have a united stand against these Israeli practices in order to save the Palestinian nation and to preserve arab dignity.

Jordan National Movement/ Amman/ Jordan
Chairman
Dr Ahmad Oweidi al-Abbadi