Jordan first paragraph Statement about Jordan

Jordan is one of the world's oldest civilizations and has had decades of political stability and security. Jordan has the third freest economy and the fifth freest press in the Middle East (Lonely Planet Jordan 2009 ). The 2010 Arab Democracy Index ranked Jordan first in the state of democratic reforms out of 15 Arab countries (Lonely Planet Jordan 2009 ). Syria borders Jordan and shares many cultural influences and ideals. Jordan feels strongly that the people of Syria need to be heard and respected by their leaders and therefore cannot support the government under President Assad. Jordan supports the rebels in Syria in their efforts to overthrow the standing government. Jordan is concerned about the huge influx of refugees crossing into Jordan seeking safety and asylum. Jordan will do all that we can to protect the Syrian refugees until a time when they can return to their country under new leadership.

What is the state of relations between your government and the government of Syria?

  • Jordan was one of the first Arab countries to call for Syrian president Assad’s resignation (New York Times Oct 9, 2013 Gordon).
  • Jordan supports Syrian opposition leader Khatib in his efforts to overthrow the current Syrian president ( BBC JT article Jan 13, 2013 ).
  • Jordan is classified by the World Bank as an upper middle income country and has the third freest economy in the Middle East (Lonely Planet Jordan 2009).
  • In the 2010 Newsweek Jordan ranked 53rd worldwide in the world’s best countries list Jordan did this by treating its citizens well and we believe that the people of Syria deserve similar treatment.
  • Jordan has 5 million people with more than 40% of its residents being immigrants Jordan is always happy to help the immigrants but at some point Syrian immigrants must go home (Lonely Planet Jordan 2009).
  • the population of Jordan consists mainly of Jordanians Palestinians and Iraqis we Artie have enough refugees the Syrians must start to take care of their own people (Lonely Planet Jordan 2009).
  • Islam is the official religion and approximately 92% of the population is Muslim primarily Sunni so we are happy to take in our Sunni neighbors from Syria but if Syria had a more stable Sunni led government they could go back home (Lonely Planet Jordan 2009).
  • the education system and Jordan ranks number one in the Arab world wall Syria ranks almost dead last in the Arab world. Syria needs to do more to educate their population (Lonely Planet Jordan 2009).
  • Jordan’s education system ranks 18th worldwide for providing gender equality in education women in Syria do not have many rights (Lonely Planet Jordan 2009).
  • Jordan has established diplomatic ties with Israel and is the only Arab country other than Egypt to do so Syria needs to establish more diplomatic ties because the only strong ties they have with China and Iran (Lonely Planet Jordan 2009).
  • Jordan supports Syrian opposition leader Khatib in his efforts to overthrow the current Syrian president ( BBC JT article Jan 13, 2013 ).

What are the main factors affecting the relationship between Jordan and Syria?

  • Jordan has a large Sunni population like Syria. So Jordan feels that the Sunnis should have more of a voice in Syrian government. The president's is a Shia and Jordan feels that a Sunni president would better represent the majority of people in serious ( Jordan Lonely Planet)
  • Jordan wants to safeguard Syria’s unity and end the violence there. Jordan is committed to supporting Syrian refugees and providing them safe haven despite the economic crisis that these refugees pose to Jordan. Electricity cost has gone up 150% over the year and Egypt cut Jordan off of gas which was their biggest gas producer. After 10 gas pipes were bombed (BBC JT article Jan 13, 2013 ).
  • Jordan has taken 175,000 Syrian refugees so far (NPR Jan 9, 2013 IRIN).
  • Some of the Syrian refugees have rioted during bread distributions injuring volunteers far (NPR Jan 9, 2013 IRIN).
  • Refugee camp authorities are beginning to move 2,000 single males to a new camp in Jordan because of ongoing issues with their violent behavior (NPR Jan 9, 2013 IRIN).
  • Jordan is concerned about the spilling over of violence from Syria across the Jordanian border (New York Times Oct 9, 2013 Gordon).
  • Recent skirmishes have broken out between the Syrian military and the Jordanians guarding the country's borders were many families have ties to Syria (New York Times Oct 9, 2013 Gordon).
  • Jordan and Syria have a very different government. Syria:
    -Gov. Authoritarian regime, Baath party, Dictator with election (Leader is a Shi’a in a Sunni majority)
    -Religion: muslim (Sunni: 74%, Shia: 15% (including leader))
 

What does Jordan think about the current conflict in Syria?

  • Jordan was one of the first Arab countries to call for Syrian president Assad’s resignation (New York Times Oct 9, 2013 Gordon). Jordan has more free trade agreements in any other country and the region. –
  • Syria is not treating its people well
    The UN announced in 2005 that 30% of the Syrian population lives in poverty and 11.4% live below the subsistence level. (BBC World review 2013).
  • Jordan has a FTA with the United States which is the first free trade agreement between an Arab country and US (Lonely Planet Jordan 2009 pg 221).
  • Jordan ranks third internationally in taking part in UN peacekeeping missions (Lonely Planet Jordan 2009).
  • Jordan has followed a pro-Western foreign-policy and maintain close relations with United States and the UK (Lonely Planet Jordan 2009).
  • Jordan opened in Armed Forces field hospital in Afghanistan and has provided assistance to 750,000 people(Lonely Planet Jordan 2009).

What does Jordan think should happen in Syria?

Jordan wants to safeguard Syria’s unity and end the violence there. Jordan is committed to supporting Syrian refugees and providing them safe haven despite the economic crisis that these refugees pose to Jordan ( BBC JT article Jan 13, 2013 ).

  • Jordan has taken 175,000 Syrian refugees so far (NPR Jan 9, 2013 IRIN).
  • Some of the Syrian refugees have rioted during bread distributions injuring volunteers far (NPR Jan 9, 2013 IRIN).
  • Refugee camp authorities are beginning to move 2,000 single males to a new camp in Jordan because of ongoing issues with their violent behavior (NPR Jan 9, 2013 IRIN).
  • Jordan is concerned about the spilling over of violence from Syria across the Jordanian border (New York Times Oct 9, 2013 Gordon).
  • Recent skirmishes have broken out between the Syrian military and the Jordanians guarding the countries borders were many families have ties to Syria (New York Times Oct 9, 2013 Gordon).
  • Jordan has been working with the United States at a training camp north of Amman (New York Times Oct 9, 2013 Gordon).
  • Over 300,000 Syrian refugees have fled the country into Turkey,Iraq,Jordan and Lebanon (David D. Kirkpathrick and Neil MacFarquha)
  • The Jordanian people are upset because their resources are being taken by the refugees
  • Some Jordan extremists are trying to help the rebels in Syria (David D. Kirkpathrick and Neil MacFarquhar)
  • Jordan does not like that some of the Syrians are taking up space inside of their cities but at the same time they are happy take some of them of in.
  • There are some syrians living with jordanians and in the jordanians houses.
  • The Syrian civil war is affecting our food and water supply because of the refugees entering Jordan. If Pres. al-Assad leaves Syria hopefully the refugees will go back and our natural resources will not be as affected..

Jordan has a good diplomacy with the West including the US

  • Syrian Relations: Saudi Arabia (trade) U.A.E, Turkey, Iraq, Iran (closest ally), (not good relations with West)
  • Jordan Relations: U.S. (good relations with West), Turkey, Qatar and most of the Middle East
  • Syria’s violence against its own people made the Arab League and the organization of the Islamic cooperation suspender membership. Jordan believes that the new government is put in place Syria can join the Arab League again. (BBC Jordan Review 2013)

What should happen to Assad?
-It is time for Assad to step down (he should be kicked out of office and a new government should form)
-Since we support rebels, we think Assad needs to go (time for a new leader)

Leader should coincide with majority

Saudi Arabia would like to establish a new government in Syria that will appeal to Saudis interests without plunging the region into violent turmoil. Saudi Arabia has closed its embassy in Syria (NYT Barnard January 11, 2013)

How?
-If Assad does not peacefully step down he should be driven out by force if necessary

Jordan is unwilling to get involved in the fighting. We are a peaceful nation we will wait for the United Nations, the Arab League and the United States to handle president Assads departure. (BBC World Review Jordan 2013)

What should the future government of Syria look like?

  • Jordan feels that the future government of Syria should be Sunni led
  • Jordan is all about business and attracting tourism a stable self-supporting government in Syria would stabilize much of the Middle East
  • -Stable self supporting government that satisfies the majority of their people

Should Assad go?

  • Yes it is time for Assad to step down.
  • We in Saudi Arabia have been funneling money and small arms to Syria's rebels because we feel it is time for new leader in Syria.
  • Jordan sees itself as the protector of Syria's refugees in a country governed by Mr. Assads Alawite minority is time for the majority to rule and the majority in Syria are Sunni. (BBC World View 2013)
  • Assad has not taking care of his people and hundreds of thousands go hungry. 30% of the population is living in extreme poverty (BBC world View 2013) –
  • Syria is using helicopters and warplanes to kill rebels and unarmed civilians - over 30,000 people have died in Syria (BBC World View 2013)
  • 300,000 refugees(BBC World View 2013)
  • Syria’s conflict has affected almost countries in the region (especially Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, and Jordan) (BBC World View 2013

Should you take direct military action?

Jordan feels without the help of the UN and the United States direct military action is unwise at this time. Jordan would support the United States and the UN in their efforts. Saudi Arabia will not go out on their own and take direct military action at this time.(BBC Worldview Jordan 2013)

"I don't believe that liberal democracy will be put in place tomorrow but we have to start somewhere. Equality, the rule of law - the country is ready for this. We have to start the process" ~Dr Tawfik Alsaif, dissident campaigner