Jordan
Country in SW Asia, bounded N by Syria, NE by Iraq, E, SE and S by
Saudi Arabia, S by the Gulf of Aqaba, and W by Israel
Government
Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, with the king effectively head
of state and government. The 1952 constitution, amended 1974,
1976, and 1984, provides for a two- chamber national assembly
comprising a 40-member senate, appointed by the king for an eight-
year term (one-half rotating every four years), and an 80-member
house of representatives (house of deputies), elected by universal
suffrage for a four-year term. The house is subject to dissolution
within that period. The king governs with the help of a council
of ministers whom he appoints and who are responsible to the assembly.
The prime minister is the most senior member of the council. Political
parties were banned 1963, partially restored 1971, banned again
1976, then finally legalized 1992 (although they remain subject
to government approval).
History
Search for peace King Hussein has survived many upheavals in his own
country and neighbouring states, including attempts on his life,
and has kept control of Jordan's affairs as well as playing a
central role in Middle East affairs. Relations with his neighbours
have fluctuated, but he has generally been a moderating influence.
After Israel's invasion of Lebanon 1982, Hussein played a key
role in attempts to bring peace to the area, establishing a relationship
with Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Yassir Arafat.
By 1984 the Arab world was split into two camps, with the moderates
represented by Jordan, Egypt, and Arafat's PLO, and the militant
radicals by Syria, Libya, and the rebel wing of the PLO. In 1985
Hussein and Arafat put together a framework for a Middle East
peace settlement. It would involve bringing together all interested
parties, but Israel objected to the PLO being represented. Further
progress was hampered by the PLO's alleged complicity in a number
of guerrilla operations in that year. Hussein tried to revive
the search for peace by secretly meeting the Israeli prime minister
in France and persuading Yassir Arafat to renounce publicly PLO
violence in territories not occupied by Israel.
In response to mounting unrest within Jordan 1989, Hussein promised
greater democratization and elections to a new 80-member house
of representatives were held. (From 1986, there had been in each
chamber of parliament equal representation for the east and west
(occupied) banks of the river Jordan, but in 1988 Hussein decided
to relinquish authority of the West Bank and the number of seats
were reduced.) Martial law (in force since 1967) was ended, and
political parties legalized 1992. Assembly elections 1993 were
won by deputies loyal to the king (mainly independents), with
several leading Islamic fundamentalists failing to win back their
seats.
Following the Iraqi invasion and annexation of Kuwait Aug 1990,
Hussein unsuccessfully attempted to act as a mediator. Meanwhile
the United Nations trade embargo on Iraq and the exodus of thousands
of refugees into Jordan strained the country's resources. Jordan
attended the historic Middle East peace conference in Spain 1991.
However, the king's image as a peace broker had been damaged by
his support for Saddam Hussein and in 1993 he publicly distanced
himself from the Iraqi leader. Later that year he concluded a
`common agendaŽ for peace with Israel. In Jan 1994 an economic
cooperation pact was signed with the PLO, and in July a treaty
with Israel to end the 46-year- old `state of warŽ - as a precursor
to serious boundary negotiations.
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