JORDAN: King calls for political, economic reforms after weeks of demonstrations

[nadinbrzezinski]

Source: LA Times

Following two weeks of demonstrations in various cities across Jordan against high commodity prices and government policies, the country's ruler King Abdullah II said on Wednesday that it's time to bring about more political and economic reforms in the desert kingdom.

"Abdullah II insisted on the need to move forward with clear and transparent programmes of political and economic reform, which will allow the kingdom to overcome the economic challenges, and assure Jordan and Jordanians the decent future they deserve," the royal palace reportedly cited the king as saying in an apparent bid to connect with disgruntled Jordanians.

But the country's main political opposition group, the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, has called for fresh rallies on Friday, and previous pledges by the Jordanian government this year to create more jobs and control rising commodity prices have not stopped demonstrators from taking to the streets.

"We are at a sensitive moment in Jordan," Dr. Mustafa Abou Rumman, a political researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies at Jordan University, told Babylon & Beyond. "It's a very important and very big . They think this government doesn't have the credibility in political reform ... they want the king to push harder against corruption. They want to make a turning point in the political life here."

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/01/jordan-protests-king-reform-government-muslim-brotherhood-.html

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Add Jordan... fuck... I was going to take a break...

Oh and darn it, I WATCH the news and I missed this... weeks of demonstrations.... wow.

Oh and Mr. Mubarak... you want to stay in power... take notes.

I hope this passes the controversial test though... inside joke... personal joke and all that.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. So, storming the castle works?

:think:










eta:punc

[No Elephants]

5. Let them eat baklava!

Do Jordanians use pitchforks?

[Dokkie]

2. Another American puppet

leader facing the heat. Les hope he steps down and sets up a democratic election soon.

[Catherina]

3. "Speedy" reforms at that. These puppets are shaking in their boots

Jordan king urges speedy reforms ahead of Friday’s demos
By ABDUL JALIL MUSTAFA | ARAB NEWS

Published: Jan 28, 2011 00:57 Updated: Jan 28, 2011 00:57

AMMAN: Jordan’s King Abdallah on Thursday urged the government and the parliament to speed up "comprehensive" political, economic and social reforms.

The monarch’s remarks came 24 hours before a coalition of opposition parties, trade unions and activists said they planned to stage demonstrations after Friday prayers to press their demand for genuine reforms.

...

He said that all cases of alleged corruption and favoritism should be addressed in a satisfactory manner.

"All files should be opened to the public, doubts should be cleared and mistakes corrected,” the monarch said.

...

http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article244421.ece

These reforms might not be "speedy" enough, kind of like a Tsar throwing banana peels to starving Russian peasants.

[No Elephants]

4. So, all it takes is weeks of demonstrations to shake up the top 1%? Are you listening, Americans?