@ian_black @guardian
published on 4.10.2012 an article entitled: Is Jordan about to
experience its first big moment of the Arab spring? Black says "So is
Arab spring unrest about to hit the Hashemite kingdom?
On Friday the IAF is organizing a big rally under the resonant slogan "Save the Homeland." He continues "Awn Khasawneh, resigned after complaints by the palace that he was not moving fast enough. The other view is that he was getting too cosy in talks with the Islamic Action Front - the Jordanian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood". Two points here this (resignation word) was inserted on the 5th as indicated at the end of the article and I suppose it was perhaps (requested to submit his resignation) when the article was written on the 4th. The second point the IAF is not the Jordanian Branch of the MB but its political arm. Mr Black states "IAF says the reforms are inadequate and insists it will boycott the polls. That would render them meaningless." the last sentence is that of Mr Black who agrees that if the IAF boycotts then the elections are meaningless. Well for a middle Eastern correspondent this is too naive. Registration of voters had passed the 66% of those eligible to vote, which as a journalist in the Guardian knows that is a respected percentage by any mean.Mr Black adds "The IAF has been emboldened by the successes of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Tunisia" He sound proud of the fantastic performance of the MB in both countries. "and by the prominent role it is playing in the uprising in Syria next door"!!!! "Complicating matters, many of its supporters are Jordanians of Palestinian origin, always a sensitive issue". Now this is tricky: perhaps he does not know that the MB tried to pull the refugee camps into the demonstrations but failed. He then adds "Overall the proposed new electoral system is still rigged in favour of regime supporters; Palestinian-Jordanians in particular will be significantly under-represented." an opinion which has been repeatedly said in interviews collected from certain elite in Amman. Mr Black endorses "Critics complain that reforms are more apparent than real.". So he thinks amendment of almost half of the constitution, an Independent Electoral Commission, a Constitutional Court and a new Election Law are not enough??? What does he advocate? Then he comes to the crux of his message "Young thugs wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the king's image have been mobilised for a loyalist counter-demonstration and there are signs of an offically-inspired whispering campaign suggesting that the IAF will call on Abdullah to surrender power" How could he have known that? the article was published on the 4th and the counter demonstration was not sanctioned by official request to the organizers.
On Friday the IAF is organizing a big rally under the resonant slogan "Save the Homeland." He continues "Awn Khasawneh, resigned after complaints by the palace that he was not moving fast enough. The other view is that he was getting too cosy in talks with the Islamic Action Front - the Jordanian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood". Two points here this (resignation word) was inserted on the 5th as indicated at the end of the article and I suppose it was perhaps (requested to submit his resignation) when the article was written on the 4th. The second point the IAF is not the Jordanian Branch of the MB but its political arm. Mr Black states "IAF says the reforms are inadequate and insists it will boycott the polls. That would render them meaningless." the last sentence is that of Mr Black who agrees that if the IAF boycotts then the elections are meaningless. Well for a middle Eastern correspondent this is too naive. Registration of voters had passed the 66% of those eligible to vote, which as a journalist in the Guardian knows that is a respected percentage by any mean.Mr Black adds "The IAF has been emboldened by the successes of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Tunisia" He sound proud of the fantastic performance of the MB in both countries. "and by the prominent role it is playing in the uprising in Syria next door"!!!! "Complicating matters, many of its supporters are Jordanians of Palestinian origin, always a sensitive issue". Now this is tricky: perhaps he does not know that the MB tried to pull the refugee camps into the demonstrations but failed. He then adds "Overall the proposed new electoral system is still rigged in favour of regime supporters; Palestinian-Jordanians in particular will be significantly under-represented." an opinion which has been repeatedly said in interviews collected from certain elite in Amman. Mr Black endorses "Critics complain that reforms are more apparent than real.". So he thinks amendment of almost half of the constitution, an Independent Electoral Commission, a Constitutional Court and a new Election Law are not enough??? What does he advocate? Then he comes to the crux of his message "Young thugs wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the king's image have been mobilised for a loyalist counter-demonstration and there are signs of an offically-inspired whispering campaign suggesting that the IAF will call on Abdullah to surrender power" How could he have known that? the article was published on the 4th and the counter demonstration was not sanctioned by official request to the organizers.
I hope that Mr black was not disappointed that only 8000 demonstrators
came out after prayers; smaller than the crowds leaving the football
ground after local matches. Not a single drop of blood leaked.The
elections will go on. The only losers will be the MB. In democracy if
you want to change a law, a system, or even a constitution you have to
do it through parliament: and you can not do that unless you are an MP,
which does not happen if you boycott the elections.
It is important to remember that the MB were essential supporters of the
Jordanian Political System specially during turbulent times. I believe
"as all Jordanians do" they will never forget the good relationship they
had all along with successive governments, and the political freedom
they enjoyed while others parties did not. They will not come out of
their skins hence as Mr Black indicated they never raised the slogan of
changing the System.
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