Jordan National Movement

Samples of severe poverty in Jordan...Two of the above pictures show Queen Rania, the world's fashion icon, wearing very expensive clothes and riding luxurious cars…

JNM, Amman-Jordan (Sunday, February 17, 2008):

--On Wednesday, February 13, 2008, an unidentified 38-year female inmate at King Abdullah II’s Jwaideh prison died today due to cardiac hypertrophy. She complained to prison’s authorities that she suffers from chest pain, but was misdiagnosed by a medical doctor at Sahab public hospital, southeast of Amman. The unnamed doctor insisted that she is fine and must go back to her prison cell. The following day, she passed away. This is one of so many unchecked and uninvestigated cases that proves the carelessness of King Abdullah’s II brutal regime towards human rights and the rule of law. 

--Economist Salamah Al-Dirawi stated, a few days ago, in Al-Arab Al-Yawm daily newspaper that the budget deficit has reached $1.4 billion, 10 percent of Jordan’s GDP. He puts the trade deficit at $6.3 billion and national debt (local and foreign) at $14.1 billion. In addition to the exponential and sky-rocketing inflation, Al-Dirawi made it clear that these are very alarming figures and must be dealt with immediately. The Jordan National Movement firmly believe that such statistics prove the bankruptcy of King Abdullah II’s brutal and absolute monarchical regime.

--Dr. Rood Rihani, a Medical Specialist in Pediatrics, stated today that children cancers make up 10 percent of all cancerous cases in the Kingdom. According to Dr. Rihani, “300 Jordanian children are diagnosed with cancer every year.” These frightening figures signal a crisis in the Kingdom of corruption lead by the illustrious King Abdullah II.

--Many high-profile cases of robberies and thefts, countless major road accidents, rising cases of AIDS, and several unwed mothers throwing their newly-born babies on the roads and in trash dumpsters every month, all point to one dimension: The corrupt Kingdom of King Abdullah II is heading towards a total collapse sooner than later.

All the above figures and statistics make a small portion of King Abdullah II’s awful report card and resume since he assumed his absolute constitutional power in February 1999. As a military thuggish dictator, he cares less about such reports. King Abdullah II's main concern is to keep his absolute grip on power regardless of what the outside watching world thinks of what is happening in Jordan. Because he is such a ruthless dictator, like Saddam Hussein, the only language he understands is the language of economic embargos and military intervention. We call upon and urge all concerned world leaders, foreign donors and human rights organizations to impose economic and political sanctions against King Abdullah II and his abusive and corrupt regime, and freeze his fat personal accounts, inside and ouside Jordan, immediately.

JNM, Amman-Jordan (Monday, December 31, 2007): Another important speech by Dr. Al-Abbadi, former MP (two terms) and current Chairman of the Jordan National Movement (JNM), shows documented rotten cases of severe corruption executed under the poor leadership of the Hashemite royal family. This is another proof that huge portions of foreign aid to the people of Jordan go in the pockets of black sheep in the royal court, the unelected government and ruling classes in Amman:

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JNM, Amman-Jordan (Sunday, December 16, 2007): The above pictures describe the utter misery the people of Jordan experiencing and undergoing under the current dictatorial regime of King Abdullah II: Jordanians are purchasing, using and burning second-hand shoes to heat their homes…Yes, this is real…this is happening now in Ajloan Province, North of Jordan…Yes, this is the Kingdom of Corruption lead by the illustrious King Abdullah II and his wife Queen Rania, the world's fashion icon.

Army and anti-riot police chasing farmers Farmers beating up corrupt officials

JNM, Amman-Jordan (Friday, August 31, 2007): King Abdullah II is busy traveling abroad (spending so much money, time and energy), whereas the people of Jordan are facing very difficult problems and struggling to live. Livestock farmers took the street to protest the abrupt cut of agricultural subsidies by King Abdullah II’s unelected and hand-picked government. Protesters closed major roads leading to Airports and attacked the Governor of Amman, General-Director of Ministry of Industry and Trade and a few other appointed senior governmental employees. Also, protesters cursed and shouted slogans against the king and his corrupt family. Many of these protesters were thrown in jail upon direct orders by the king. Many local observers firmly believe that the subsidies could have been easily paid off if the corrupt king and his family have paid taxes and stopped traveling the world every other week, depleting millions of dollars a month from the state's coffers. Pictures above depict this ongoing uprising.

International coverage: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070830/wl_mideast_afp/jordanfarmprotest_070830172715;_ylt=AmccUPZtyEWae7Xvqmd_kE1YU.0A

On the other hand, instead of addressing the people live and approaching citizens in person to resolve their problems, the corrupt king, described in Jordan as Arabic as a Second Language (ASL) monarch, recorded a stumpy and meaningless interview, delivered today to the people of Jordan by state-run TV. King Abdullah II resorts to these delayed and edited channels of communication to avoid embarrassment due to his poor Arabic language skills.

Also, below is a review by Dr. Awen Al-Meshagbah of the recent report, Rethinking Economic Reform in Jordan: Confronting Socioeconomic Realities (http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/cmec4_alissa_jordan_final.pdf) by Sufyan Alissa, the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, D.C. Dr. Al-Meshagbah is an International Consultant on Strategic Management, Boston, United States.

Rethinking Economic Reform in Jordan: Confronting Socioeconomic Realities

An Independent Perspective

In spite of the repeated claims of King Abdullah II that economic reform is one of his top priorities, it remains unrealized.  Lack of both public support and faith in the government policies as well the government's inability to implement result-driven reforms are the major reasons for this failure. 

In Rethinking Economic Reform in Jordan: Confronting Socioeconomic Realities, Sufyan Alissa, an economist at the Carnegie Endowment's Middle East Center in Washington, DC authored a report on the Jordanian economy and found that the Jordanian general public is very skeptical about reforms because previous efforts failed to deal with the major social and economic problems affecting the majority of citizens.

The author examines the major factors responsible for preventing meaningful economic reform in Jordan and found that successive Jordanian governments and the established elite have little incentive to implement real reforms.  In fact, to do so could threaten their personal economic and political interests. 

Alissa contends that to make real economic reforms, an organized program for reform has to be properly outlined and implemented with a specific timeline and stated measurable objectives.  

Alissa attributes Jordan’s economic troubles to a failing governance system that depends on highly volatile revenue streams to temporarily alleviate economic pressures, preserve dominant elite privileges, and buy loyalty to the state, all at the cost of sustainable, long-term reform.  According to the report, Jordan’s economic troubles also stem from a system that is too dependent on foreign aid, international loans, and remittances from expatriate workers, all of which are highly unstable.

The author identifies several other factors that make urgent economic reforms imperative. The high population growth rate and, hence, the need to create hundreds of thousands of jobs during the coming 20 years, exacerbate the necessity for meaningful and sustainable reform. Also, prospects for the migration of Jordanian labor have diminished and thus remittances from abroad can no longer be considered a reliable source of income.

According to the report, in order to achieve genuine reform, the Jordanian government must move beyond an economy dominated by the public sector and move toward an economic model driven by the private sector as the main source of growth and income.  This may be difficult to accomplish, given the country’s heavy reliance on foreign aid.  The researcher, therefore, calls on Jordan to abandon this economic model of dependency as its chosen method to achieve economic sustainability.

Furthermore, according to the author, “Jordan faces key social and economic challenges, but these challenges have not yet reached the breaking point.  The impact of such challenges on the social and economic conditions of the population and the political stability of Jordan has been mitigated by current availability of external resources and economic and political manipulation by the regime.

The report’s key findings highlight the following points:  

--Initiated under conditions of severe economic crisis, the reform process in Jordan since 1989 has been slow, selective, uncoordinated and haphazard. Thus far, Jordan has succeeded in stabilizing its economy and engaging in a process of trade, financial liberalization, and privatization, but it has failed to find long-lasting solutions to major social and economic challenges facing the country. 

--Informal safety nets have helped Jordanians cope with rising prices and reduced the impact of poverty and unemployment, delaying a stronger push for deep economic reform.  The latest move by the regime to postpone fuel hikes is clear evidence of an economic policy driven by political consideration. 

--Corruption in Jordan is caused by the lack of well-established standards of good governance, low salaries for government employees, and the failure to introduce substantial institutional reform in the executive and legislative branches of government.

--Jordan needs to deal with its major social and economic challenges, including poverty, unemployment, public debt, and high dependency on foreign aid. Failure to address these realities poses a real threat to social, economic and political stability in the country, especially given the political frustration linked to unresolved problems in the region such as the Arab–Israeli conflict and the war  in Iraq.

--The design and implementation of economic reforms has generally been limited to the ruling elite. Given the high turnover in Jordan's government, there is little incentive for it to implement reforms which may be controversial but which would also be likely to be effective. Young elites who champion reform are often disconnected from the socioeconomic conditions which are the reality of everyday life for the majority of the population.  Thus, their proposed reforms are often not supported by the public. 

--Because the civil society, political parties, and unions in Jordan are extremely weak and ineffective, and their role in supporting or blocking reform is totally inadequate. Hence, the state does not perceive these groups as influential stakeholders to be considered in the process of designing and introducing reform measures.

--The international donor community (US, the European community, Japan) should support deeper reform and promote sustainable and equitable growth. More attention should be given to expanding institutional capacity and to developing more programs to improve conditions for poor communities, empower the country’s youth, and initiate the establishment of a social safety net.

--Jordan often uses the occupation of Palestine and, recently, the occupation of Iraq, as an excuse to maintain the status quo and to avoid implementing any genuine reform. Sufyan Alissa argues that “reform under this circumstance has the risk of political instability.”

--Moreover, there is a lack of transparency and accountability in existing reform policies and programs, and a lack of inclusiveness of different stakeholders in reform debate, particularly with regard to civil society and representatives of the private sector.  The political system in Jordan does not permit the advancement of a reform agenda; at the same time, the institutional structure is incapable of creating the environment needed for the implementation successful reform policies.   This state of affairs not only strengthens the ability of those groups who benefit from the status quo to resist change, it also limits the opportunity for greater public participation in making policy and shaping a reform agenda. =

--While the combination of strong political and security institutions, international support, and high levels of remittances have assured Jordan's social and political stability and eased social and economic pressures, underlying problems and stressors have not been alleviated.  This has enabled the country to “postpone engaging in deep economic reform” which will be essential if the country is to confront major social challenges and economic vulnerabilities in the areas of poverty, unemployment, public debt, and high dependency on foreign aid. 

In summary, Mr. Alissa argues that the state's capacity to implement thorough economic reform, “is limited by three key constraints: First, economic reform in Jordan lacks a clear constituency; second, it faces severe resistance from elites benefiting from the status quo; and third, previous reform efforts have failed to address social and economic problems affecting the majority of the population, which has undermined public support for the reform process.”

More than 220 Citizens From Baqaa Rushed to Hospitals by their Relatives: What Kind Of Corrupt Kingdom Is This?

Right: Bilal Hussein Telawi, First Fatal Victim of this Food Poisoning...

JNM, Amman-Jordan (Sunday, August 12, 2007): More than 220 Jordanian citizens have been admitted into hospitals and medical centers after eating poisoned shawerma (chicken gyro) from a restaurant in the Baqaa refugee camp. According to MDs in the United States, “due to the apparent symptoms [food poisoning] of those patients , most likely the cause is Salmonella bacteria…these symptoms most likely lead to low blood pressure, very low body fluid (dehydration), and finally to hypovolemic shock (heart stops)...admitted patients must stay in hospital on I/V antibiotics, for at least three days…this is standard practice in good medicine…” At 7:00AM this morning, Bilal Hussein Telawi, only THREE hours after being admitted and discharged from Al Hussein Hospital in Salt, died due to severe food poisoning. This is more evidence to the very poor health sector, unqualified medical doctors (most graduated from unaccredited medical schools and diploma mills in Poland, Ukraine and Eastern Europe) and carelessness in governmental inspections of restaurants, cafes and food stores. The foolish, corrupt and unelected Prime Minister, Marouf Bakhit, said, "the death of Bilal is due to a chronic disease;" whereas, the State Medical Examiner, Dr. Moamen Hadidi, stressed earlier that the "first autopsy report shows that Bilal died because of food poisoning." Under pressure from the appointed government and secret police, Dr. Hadidi retracted his earlier statement. Now, he is saying that the death is due to heart failure. As emphasized above, Medical Doctors in the U.S. pointed out that heart stop is a valid outcome of this type of food poisoning. Bilal's father, Hassan Jarwan, echoed Dr. Hadidi's earlier conclusion and added that "my son never had a chronic disease before!

Jordanian-Americans, who just returned from summer visits to their relatives in Jordan, told JNM that Bakshish (bribery) has become widespread and a standard practice to contemplate and process paperwork at any governmental institution and department in the country. The corrupt and unelected government of King Abdullah II stated that this restaurant in Baqaa has been inspected four times in July 2007. According to official reports submitted by governmental food inspectors, this restaurant was given passing scores in each one of these four visits. One Jordanian citizen, from Baqaa, stated on Sunday, August 12, 2007, “oh my brother…God curses bribery and favoritism …the government employee can be bribed by a free sandwich and process and stamp your paperwork, regardless of the status of your document, a store or restaurant…the government manager is careless and stands against anyone who is trying to harm his own people and friends, despite the fact they violate the law…it is a total anarchy.” Here is another piece of evidence: Dr. Rula Hroub, a columnist in Al-Anabat newspaper, wrote, on Tuesday, August 14, 2007, “I was told by owners of several restaurants, a month ago, that several governmental food and health inspectors receive bribes [in exchange of giving restaurants passing scores]…some accept small amounts of money and food and others ask and receive larger sums of money…this explains the reoccurrence and spread of food poisoning in different areas [in Jordan]…we should have designed and implemented a very strict inspection system that is very impossible to violate and impose hefty fines on those who disobey it...”

International Coverage:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070813/wl_mideast_afp/jordanfoodhealth_070813161843;_ylt=AnoaQO4V8Y23zx.FBWEdkkVYU.0A

JNM, Washington, DC (Wednesday, August 22, 2007): The Carnegie Endowment in Washington, D.C., just published this important report http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/cmec4_alissa_jordan_final.pdf

re: economic reforms in Jordan. Title of report is Rethinking Economic Reform in Jordan: Confronting Socioeconomic Realities By Sufyan Alissa.

The Jordan National Movement will comment on this report shortly…

As expected by the Jordan National Movement (JNM), the water pollution in the towns of Mansheyet Bani Hassan and Umm Al Naam in Al-Mafraq Province has spread to a new adjacent town: Rhab. 17 new patients haved been admitted into hospitals and medical centers yesterday (Friday, August 3, 2007). The picture above shows Jordanians soldiers distributing drinking water to people in these ruined areas. The unelected government of King Abdullah II has completely failed to contain this crisis (see full information and analysis at the bottom of this page).

First Two: Dictator King Abdullah II and His Wife, Queen Rania, 36th Sexiest Woman in the World...

Second Right and Middle: Children Hospitalized in the Town of Mansheyet Bani Hassan...

Two Bottom: Damaged 8-Inch Water Pipe and Water System Have Not Been Checked or Replaced for 4 Years...

JNM, Amman-Jordan (Tuesday, July 24, 2007): More than 1100 Jordanian citizens were rushed to hospitals and medical centers in the town of Mansheyet Bani Hassan, Al-Mafraq Province, North East of Amman, after drinking from contaminated water, caused by a broken water pipe that has been left unchecked or maintained by water authorities for four years. According to a news report, published by the Jordan Times Newspaper, on Tuesday, July 17, 2007, “…a faulty 8-inch water pipe feeding households of Mansheyet Bani Hassan led to the formation of a pond that was later contaminated by animal dung. The pipe sucked back the polluted water by force of reverse pressure, causing illness to residents.” The number of admitted patients has risen from 130 on Monday, July 16, 2007, to more than 1100 today, July 24, 2007. A pregnant woman, resident of Mansheyet Bani Hassan, identified by the name Oroub, had miscarriage due to the dangerous pollution of drinking water.

Based on previous warnings by local medical and water experts that several neighboring cities and villages may get exposed to the same danger of infectious diseases as a result of this water pollution, today (Monday, July 23, 2007) many residents in the neigboring village of Umm Al Naam were admitted into adjacent medical centers and hospitals. Also, Medical Doctors in the United Sates told the Jordan National Movement (JNM) that this type of water pollution, if not contained promptly, may lead to blood and bacterial infection, severe internal complications, and eventually to colon cancer and death! News reports have indicated that initial lab results of water samples, taken from Umm Al Naam and Mansheyet Bani Hassan, showed microscopic parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium, and Water Authority failed to treat drinking water with chlorine in both cities for 6 consecutive months.

This is another example of so many that proves and renders a solid evidence on the severity of corruption levels in the absolute monarchical regime and its unelected government…King Abdullah II, who is vacationing now in Canada, has not even considered or bothered to call his hand-picked corrupt officials and showed carelessness towards the victims of this awful and appalling scandal!

Where is Queen Rania, 36th sexiest woman in the world? Why doesn’t she visit these towns and check on these poor children, women, disabled and elderly people, who have fallen victims of severe corruption in the Kingdom of Abu Hussein (King Abdullah II)? Where is the Kingdom’s Regent, Prince Faisal, who is like his brother can barely speak Arabic, and must be embarrassed that no one will understand him if he visits Mansheyet Bani Hassan? Where is Prince Firas Bin Raad, King Abdullah II’s Advisor for Health Care? Shame on them, Shame on them!

Ladies and Gentlemen: The only road to protect Jordan and its people is for this corrupt regime to step aside and let the people of Jordan govern themselves and decides who is best to lead our country towards freedom, democracy, accountability, security and safety!

More information:

http://www.jordantimes.com/sun/homenews/homenews1.htm

http://www.jordantimes.com/mon/homenews/homenewsPlus.htm

http://www.jordantimes.com/tue/homenews/homenews1.htm

JNM, Amman--Jordan (Monday, March 19, 2007): The above pictures show the suffering of the people of Jordan under the current absolute monarchy system. The first two pictures show Queen Rania wearing the latest and most expensive fashions in the world, whereas the third picture shows two Jordanians walking with King Abdullah II in Wadi Araba, North West of Jordan, on Monday, March 19, 2007. The story of the third picture is best described by an American reader (Donna) who visited and posted this message to JNM’s Guestbook a few days ago:

“Checking out some of the websites (sites showing the latest fashions of Queen Rania) down below shows the crisis that the monarchy (in Jordan) is going through these days; the queen and king trying very hard to present an image that is untrue and fake. Rania is presenting a symbol for a modern and open monarchy here in the US while at home practicing the ultimate dictatorship and corruption. The world is not that stupid and knows how she is living off the poor people of Jordan. The king and queen treat Jordanians as slaves and suck their blood and the resources of the country dry to appear with celebrities...We all know the truth and we do not approve of you or your husband... u better go and mingle with people like u!!”

Donna

American who knows the truth