Issue 24

 

Editorial

Changes in Palestine and Iraq The Key Transformation in the Middle East

     The second quarter of year 2003 showed multi main changes and transformations in the Middle East. It affected the geopolitical situation in the region. It also has its impacts on the international order as well

Iraq and Vietnam Nightmare

Since the US-British alliance has occupied Iraq in three-week war, i.e. 21 March - 9 April 2003, they ignored the demonstrations of millions in the streets against the war. They destroyed Iraqi regime and many of its infrastructure facilities. The Iraqis didn't welcome the occupation as was presented and expected in the western media. The US soldiers faced the most horrible surprise since Vietnam. Iraqi resistance has shown ability, efficiency, and high tech capabilities. The US army in Iraq faces from 10 to 40 different operations a day. It suffered hundreds of casualties in the battlefield. Hundreds of soldiers have begun to flee as the eyewitnesses' claim. They remembered the Hollywood movies of American heroes defeating the Vietcong in Vietnam War. Their failure to defeat the Iraqi resistance, compared to what these movies show, has become a nightmare for these young promising men reminding them with the Vietnam nightmare that their fellow citizens suffered. The US civil administration has failed in the first four months to restore the normal life and deliver the basic needs for Iraqis. The way out of this nightmare and failure is the self-determination right to be practiced by Iraqi people with the help of the UN.

The Palestinian cease fire and the American failure to pressure Israel

The US submitted the third and final draft of the Roadmap to settle the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after less than two weeks of the Iraqi regime failure. Egypt and the EU succeeded to convince the Palestinian factions, especially Hamas and Islamic Jihad, to halt military operations against Israel for three months under specific conditions on 29 June 2003. In spite of the continuous Israeli violations of this cease-fire, which mounted 80 main violations in the first month, the Palestinians still committed to their earlier declaration to cease-fire. They still open the way for the US and the EU to pressure Israel to comply with the declaration conditions. US couldn't show any commitment to get Israel to the Roadmap. It is only seen, in the Arab world, as a supporter of the Israeli endless complains and inquiries. People in the region believe that the US involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq as an occupier with human rights violations, according to Amnesty International reports, weakened its ability to exert pressure on Israel in that regard. The Palestinians need to shift the international community attention to the real challenges to peace in the region. It is the Israeli occupation and its defiance to comply with the UN resolutions and the international community well.

US Investment of victory in Iraq and Cease Fire in Palestine

US exerted very high pressure on Syria not to play any role in Iraq, or in the Palestinian front with Israel after Palestinians declared cease-fire from one side. They acquired Syria to stop its support with Iran to Hizbullah. It also paid much attention to preempt Iran from playing any regional or international role backed by its military arsenal. It extended its ties with specific groups and figures in Iran, supported and encouraged publicly students' riots to get Iran occupied by its internal affairs. This is aimed at naturalizing Iran at least.

These developments have focused on Iraq and Palestine as the milestone of any future changes in the region as well as in the international order. Palestinians and Iraqis are confronting the American-Israeli alliance together. The US policies towards the region, that spoiling Israel and ignoring the rights of others, will continue to inflame the enmity and hate against US interests in the region. The opportunity still valid for US policy makers to shift to the right track of relations with the region for the sake of US interests itself.

By: Editorial Board


 

Content

Opening Article
Changes in Palestine and Iraq The Key Transformation in the Middle East Editorial Board
Researches & Studies
Israeli Right View of the Road Map and its future Ibrahim Abdulkarim
Privatization in Jordan: Objectives and Outcomes Ahmed Seyam Ahmed Seyam
Reports and Articles
Concept of Terrorism and Resistance: An analytic Reading Dr. Salah Jarrar
World Economic Forum in Jordan Moha’d Abbasi
Relations Development between PA and Hamas Mohd Abadan
Human Conditions in Iraq under American Occupation Zahra Izz
Peace Process Development under the Road Map Moh’d AbdulFattah

A Reading in Results of the New Jordanian Parliament

Ali Balawneh
Indications of Jordan 2003 Parliamentary Elections Mohd. Jayyousi
Symposium
Jordan 2003 Parliamentary Elections
Reviews
Bibliography


Researches & Studies

Israeli Right View of the Road Map and its future

       This study starts from the supposition that the ideological reference of the Israeli Right Wing determines the outlines of its political positions towards the conflict with the Palestinians and the envisaged solutions to this conflict it deals with the “Road Map” as a case study to uncover the nature of the orientation of the Right political powers in Israel .
       Thus, the study concentrates on the domination of the Israeli Right in the conflict set, and on the coalition basis of the second government of Sharon, then it explains the most imminent points of the “Road Map” and Sharon`s government approval correlated with the fourteen official notes about it.
       The study deals with the consumptive Sharon`s announcements about peace with the Palestinians and the state, and the preliminary discussions with the Americans for embodying the Israeli position and envision in the plan before putting it forward officially . Then , the study offers the envision of the Likod pillars , most of whom expressed criticism of the plan and Sharon’s and his government’s position , and it talk about the Likod Lobby groups for standing against the application of the “Road Map”. It also follows up the reactions of the religious groups and extreme Rightists on the approval of the “Road Map” and the show dismantling of the settling points and the stand of the settlers.
       The study includes an analytics exposition to the dangers of the Palestinian state, the strategy of the stages for destroying Israel from the point view of the Israeli Right , and the envisions of Sharon of the characteristics of the Palestinian state he might be obliged to agree to the study assures that the real objectives of Sharon`s plans are entrenching separation and Cantons and severing the geographical continuity of the Palestinian entity .
        As for the regional connection of the Palestinian state about which Sharon talked , it might include an artificial connection through bridges and tunnels to join the parts of this state .The study shows that Israel wants to control the Jordan Valley (Alghor) area , so that Israel can completely surround the West Bank area , and that formation of a Palestinian state is not separated , in the Israel mind , from the regional situation and the arrangements going on in the Israeli surrounding , besides exerting pressure to make the Palestinians relinquish the Return Right .
        The study reaches the result that because of the nature of methods of the Israeli Right and the facts they create on earth , the fact that Israel refuses to give the Palestinians more than they got in Oslo course is enforced . It is expected that Sharon`s government shall take the opportunity it deems appropriate to find excuses for drawing away from the final outcomes of the plan in its official form, and that the “Road Map” shall remain exposed to the Israeli messing based on attempting to condition it according to the program of the Right Wing, besides insisting on a forced solution in accordance with the circulated formulas under the unequal balance of powers which tends towards Israel.

By: Ibrahim Abdulkarim



Researches & Studies

Privatization in Jordan: Objectives and Outcomes Ahmed Seyam

Since years, questions were raised about the feasibility of continuing the privatization, also the effects of its goals on the national economy.
       The interest about the private sector was first witnessed by the commercial school, meanwhile the modern literature on privatization started to appear by the year 1983 in the western countries.
The importance of privatization in Jordan exists from its achievements till the year 2003, and from the realization of the importance of sharing the economic profits and losses by both the private and the pubic sectors in the light of globalization which gives a wide space for the private sector to share the economic development. Also this importance comes from the free trade, the customs reduction, and the facilitation of production elements among countries. Thus, privatization was the answer, even the policy for reforming the distortions of the economy and achieving the social and economic prosperity.
        In this paper, I adopted the descriptive approach which was supported by the quantitative approach to reach the following goals:
1. The essence of the privatization, its goals, and procedures.
2. The overlook on the outcomes of the public sector privatization and the size of its achievements.
3. The role of privatization in developing the economy and in achieving the prosperity.
4. The evaluation and comparison of achievements and goals to see the feasibility of the privatization.
        In the light of racing among different countries to attract investments and to support the private sector for elevating the capacity of the projects and to enhance productivity and competitiveness, the government of Jordan adopted different procedures in privatization without biasing between these procedures to reduce the side effect of their applications. Thus, during the implementation, the government considered the strategies of sharing the private sector in economic development to face the challenges of openness to the global markets with confidence and capability.
         Many recommendations and results were presented in this paper to continue the support for the private sector and to accompany the recent century developments.

By: Ahmed Seyam



Reports and Articles

Concept of Terrorism and Resistance: An analytic Reading

       The Resistance and Terrorism Document has clearly stated difference between terrorism and resistance terms. It uses a scientifid methodology to define acts which might be called as terrorist, and acts of legitimate resistance. The Document verveals two facts of great importance: First, the West misleading medical have reversed facts; it makes occupation a legal action clear from terrorism and makes legitimate resistance an act of terroris. Second, Palestinian resistance is a legal right for Palestinians, according to international law and resolutions, and to religious laws.In legitimizing palestinians resistance against Israeli occupation, the Document draws upon international resolutions and UN laws. It, also, reflects an international consensus and gives peoples prone to aggression or occupation the right in self-defense and resistance through whatever means they might have, including arms.

By : Dr. Salah Jarrar



Reports and Articles

World Economic Forum in Jordan

     More than 1200 business and political leaders have met for 3 days in the lowest area on earth under slogan “visions for shared future “..
      The extraordinary Annual meeting 2003 for the World Economic Forum ( WEF ) was held in the Dead Sea which lies 50 Km to the south of Jordanian’s capital, Amman.
      The forum discussed more than 70 different subjects that aim to support the peace process, Iraq reconstruction, and economic opportunities in the Middle East.
       Many initiatives were lunched, most important, was the lunching of the US - Middle East free trade Initiative. Further more, Jordan, Palestinian Authority, and Israel signed a agreement to proceed studying the Dead Sea canal project.

BY: Moha’d Abbasi



Reports and Articles

Relations Development between PA and Hamas

       Relations between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) witnessed many stages up tide and ebb during the previous months, ending in proclamation of a historic truce between Palestinian resistance groups, with Hamas in the forefront, on one side, and the Palestinian Authority (PA), on the other.
        This truce came as a result up an Egyptian mediation by major general Omar Sulaiman, head of the Egyptian intelligence. It also came two months after formation of Abu Mazin government on 29/4/2003, which committed itself to subdue the Palestinian Intifada which has been going on since October 2000. Hamas has had a cautious attitude towards Abu Mazin government, especially regarding repeated threatening by Abu Mazin himself and some of his ministers to stop the so called “all types of violence”, and commitment to disarm all groups. Within the frame of visits by the Egyptian delegation for mediation between PA and the Palestinian groups, many meeting were held between PA and resistance groups representatives, sometimes only with Hamas leaders. This represents a positive development in the relations between the two parties after years of no-coordination between them.

By: Mohd Abadan



Reports and Articles

Human Conditions in Iraq under American Occupation

       The US invasion of Iraq has led to detonation in human and economic conditions contrary to American and British commitments to adhere to UN conventions, notably Geneva agreements concerning safety and security of civilians.
       British violations and US cover all daily life affairs of Iraqis. There has been absence of public services: electricity, water and drainage. Hospitals did not resume their normal activity, with loss of drugs and needed treatment. Government departments have not been opened under absence of security, prevailing & looting and plunder in most Iraqi areas
.      Conditions have more deteriorated by human right abuses committed by US troops: blindly killing arrests, inhuman practices during arrest and many flat violations of Geneva agreement and the Human Right World Declaration.

By: Zahra Izz



Reports and Articles

Peace Process Development under the Road Map

       The Middle East (ME) peace process has been motionless since July, 2002 as a result of continuos Israeli war on the armless Palestinian People, in addition to US negligence and its preoccupations with arrangements for Iraq invasion.
       Washington has proclaimed its “Road Map” calling for halting the “Intifada” against creation of a Palestinian interim state. A parallel European plan was declared. But both plans have had no interest by the Israeli government, which keeps on the terrorist acts against Palestinians.
         In spite of efforts by the Quadripartite Committee and some Arab and European parties, nothing has had any real Impact on the process, owing to US priorities and very extremist positions and acts by Israelis.

By: Moh’d AbdulFattah



Reports and Articles

A Reading in Results of the New Jordanian Parliament

        Jordan’s 14th Parliamentary elections 17.6.2003, reflect a group of local and foreign developments which have negatively affected the democratic track. Many regimes have responded to such developments, in order to balance local pressures and constitutional needs, through breaking up parliaments and enabling the executive power issue provisional laws under question by many jurists and politicians.
Such an act might be considered by government a response to fill legal vacancies.
        The crucial fact lies not in reasons necessitating such laws but in transgression of constitutional basis, therapy opening the door for important questions about legion criterion of some laws governing the democratic process. Such process has recently witnessed great regression leading to a setback in social-political development and in factors of modernization. The outcome have led to an unprecedented decline in the election processes a result, this researcher has examined causes of this phenomenon, its various aspects and reflexes which have let to drop in political flexibility, vitality and effectiveness of all political structures, and resulting in pushing some social structures to the forefront.

By: Ali Balawneh



Reports and Articles

Indications of Jordan 2003 Parliamentary Elections

       The Jordanian 2003 parliamentary election operation is the first during King Abdullah the second reign. Number of seats has been raised from 80 to 104, in addition to six for women. Five lists of candidates took part in the election process. Based on political and party affiliations. Fifty-four candidate ladies effectively took part in the election operation, which showed 58,8% of citizen participation, the highest since 1989. Noticeable also, was the presence of youth candidates of higher potential.
       The decisive factor will be the parliament's power to develop Jordan's political life, in addition dealing with vital issues: control, accountability and legislation.
        Inspire of all harnesses prevailing in the region, it is hopeful that the parliament will be able to handle a big group of local economic, social and legal problems.

By: Mohd. Jayyousi



S
ymposium

Jordan 2003 Parliamentary Elections

       Jordan's 14th Parliamentary elections 17.6.2003, is the first during King Abdullah the second, The decisive factor will be the parliament's power to develop Jordan's political life, in addition dealing with vital issues: control, accountability and legislation.

        Inspire of all harnesses prevailing in the region, it is hopeful that the parliament will be able to handle a big group of local economic, social and legal problems, The decisive factor will be the parliament's power to develop Jordan's political life, in addition dealing with vital issues: control, accountability and legislation.