Jordan Final
Jordan Final
Jordan Final
T h e H a s h e mite King do m o f J o r d a n
Dear Ministers,
Best Regards,
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Table of Contents
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Map of Jordan
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A Brief Historical Background
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Talal, ascended to power immediately, UN Security Council Resolutions 242
but was forced to abdicate a short year and 338).
later, due to medical conditions (he was Jordan’s determination to find
a schizophrenic). King Talal’s son, the peace can be exemplified the 1967 Arab-
well-known late King Hussein bin Talal, Israeli War. During this conflict, no
replaced his father, and ruled for the conflict occurred along the Jordanian
remainder of the century (until he border with Israel. However, Jordan sent
succumbed to cancer in February 1999). a brigade to Syria to aid the country in
King Hussein was widely praised as the fending off Israeli occupation. Jordan
best monarch the Middle East has seen, also did not participate in the Gulf War
and his funeral was a five-day mourning of 1990-91. In 1991, Jordan entered into
event that the entire international peace negotiations with Israel alongside
community attended to pay their respects Syria, Lebanon, and Palestinian
to the great king. During his almost five representatives, which were mediated by
decades of reign, Jordan saw great the United States and Russia. Jordan
political and economic advancement. agreed to an end of hostilities with Israel
on July 25, 1994 (please refer to the
IV. CONTINUED CONFLICT Washington Declaration for details), and
King Hussein, although more the peace process was concluded on
rational and intelligent than his October 26 1994. Ever since the
predecessors, was no less adamant in his instigation of conflict between the
stance against Israeli occupation of Palestinians and Israelis in September
Palestine. Sensing a threat brought upon 2000, King Abdullah II and his
by Israeli occupation of the Kingdom’s government offered their good offices to
neighbor, Hussein signed a mutual both parties.
defense pact with Egypt in 1967, which
was followed immediately in June by the V. INTERNAL CONFLICT
first Arab-Israeli war (between Israel Unfortunately, Jordan’s
and Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq). The international conflicts and negotiations
Arab states did not succeed, and Israel led to dissent within its own borders.
claimed the entire West Bank, and Needless to say, the Palestinian refugee
occupied Jerusalem. In 1988, Jordan population in Jordan increased
withdrew all claims to the region, but dramatically during the war of 1967
retained an administrative role in (700,000 to 1,000,000 within a matter of
Jerusalem pending future treaties. In days). Palestinian resistance elements in
fact, in 1994, the Jordanian treaty with Jordan, known as fedayeen (Arabic for
Israel allowed for Jordan to play a rebels, similar to intifada, meaning
continuous administrative role in the rebellion), gained power and importance
Muslim holy sites of Jerusalem (the within the country, and open fighting
United States’ stance on this issue is that broke out in June 1970. Jordan placed
it acknowledges that the West Bank and relatively little importance to this
Jerusalem are occupied by Israel, and violence at first, and attempted to seek a
administrative status in the region should peaceful solution. However, in
be determined by mutual agreement September, the fedayeen hijacked and
amongst the concerned parties based on destroyed three airline carriers west of
Amman, and the government began
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using extreme force against the rebels. biological attack of mass destruction was
The international community grew more planned in Jordan during May 2004,
and more concerned, which led to a targeting the Jordanian Intelligence
meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Headquarters, the Ministry of Internal
Cairo to find a peaceful solution. A Affairs, and the residences of several
cease-fire was signed, but sporadic government officials. Due to successful
fighting continued afterward. Finally, the intelligence operations, the attack was
government won a decisive victory foiled, and several terrorist cells
against the fedayeen, and expelled them eradicated. Jordanian Intelligence
from the country on September 22, 1971. (known as mukhabarat), in fact, is
From that point on, Jordan has widely ranked amongst the top ten
enjoyed internal security, and its government intelligence agencies in the
relatively neutral stance on the foreign world (of course, it trails the CIA, the
issues of the region has allowed it to Israeli Mossad, and the British MI5).
enjoy certain stability in a rather volatile Despite these insurgent
region in recent years. However, the operations, which were duly eliminated,
security maintained also is due to a Jordan has had a comfortable level of
rather stiff hand the government has political steadiness for several decades
used with regards to dealing with now, which has allowed for economic
insurgents. For example, a mass growth and development.
Current Government
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independents (this may be due to the fact Supreme Court (the court of final
that political parties were outlawed until appeal). The legal system is based on
1992). The last elections took place in Islamic law and French codes. It is
2003, after a two-year delay by King noteworthy that Jordan has not accepted
Abdullah II (possibly due to the fact that compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.
he ascended to power only two year The Jordanian constitution was
prior to the scheduled elections). introduced on January 1, 1952, and has
The judicial branch of the undergone amendment three times since
Jordanian government is headed by the (1974, 1976, and 1984).
Court of Cassation, which answers to the
Surprisingly, Jordan being located in a the approval and loyalty of the governed
region accepted to be politically volatile, to the monarchy and its establishments.
the government faces little opposition, Since the 1967 war with Israel, the
internationally and internally. The Palestinian refugee population in Jordan
headway gained with its resolution to the (aided by UNRWA) has risen to an
Israeli conflict has deemed Jordan estimated 1,740,170 (2004 est.).
honorable in the eyes of the international Jordan has maintained a neutrally
community, and its ability to keep the friendly relationship with most of its
large refugee population satisfied with neighboring countries. Saudi Arabia is
its actions (which clearly oppose their Jordan’s number-one importer, and the
interests) is nothing short of Gulf nations in general have taken a
praiseworthy. The refugee population’s greater interest in Jordan ever since
obedience is due in large part to two investment prospects in the country have
reasons: (1) the Jordanian government improved.
has been fair in granting the refugees More than eighteen percent of
respectable status in Jordanian society, Jordanian exports find their way to Iraq,
and (2) the severe actions taken by the who is one of Jordan’s biggest exports,
government against the fedayeen has only second to the United States. Here,
shown the masses what dire Jordan’s friendly neutrality is observed
consequences await any attempt to upset at its clearest: Jordan associates
internal peace and security. Terrorist economically with Iraq (and had rather
cells in Jordan in particular have had fluid borders with it before Iraq’s entry
trouble gaining support, probably due to into years of conflict with western
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nations), but observes strict neutrality in the peace process with Israel, and have
the occurrence of armed conflict that both made significant headway with
does not involve it. their non-Arab neighbor. Unfortunately,
The Jordanian relationship with the western world has recently targeted
Syria is slightly more complex. the Mubarak regime for corruption.
Although Jordan defied its usual Egypt has not seen a fair democratic
neutrality by sending a brigade to aid election for several decades. Fortunately,
Syrian troops during the Israeli invasion Mubarak is buckling under western
of Syria, Syria has proven to be Jordan’s pressure, and is loosening his once-
most suspicious ally. Its rather tyrannical grip on the country to allow
fundamentalist government has clearly for more democratic ideologies.
shown its support for the Palestinian Israel, along with the Palestinian
people against the Jordanian National Authority, present Jordan’s
government; during the fedayeen most complicated foreign issue at hand.
uprising and subsequent military action The government has taken no significant
against the insurgents, Syria assembled military action against either party since
several tanks along the Jordanian border its signing of the peace accords of 1994.
with intent to aid the fedayeen (the tanks The government must be praised for its
were forced to withdraw before any ability to adhere to this strict neutrality
military action was taken). Until policy, despite the expected political
recently, Syria and Jordan disagreed on pressure from the huge portion of
their border. In 2004, an agreement Palestinian refugees in the country, and
settled this border dispute pending the almost completely pro-Palestinian
demarcation. population. Although the monarchy has
Egypt has proven to be one of the loyalty of the people, pro-Israeli
Jordan’s most useful Arab allies, in the ideologies can easily cause them to lose
sense that they share similar interests in support and may risk a mass rebellion. 1
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Red Sea, and uses the famous Jordan Since King Abdullah II’s ascent
River as its western border with Israel to power in 1999, the country has been
and the West Bank. Also between these blessed with several economic
two countries lies the Dead Sea, the advancements due in large part to the
saltiest body of water on Earth, not to new king’s reforms. Most of these
mention the lowest point as well. The reforms were undertaken in a long-term
country is mostly arid desert, frequented effort to improve living standards. The
by drought, and lies in the Great Rift Central Bank has, in the past three years,
Valley (which explains why the region is worked closely with the IMF to improve
susceptible to, but not necessarily their monetary policy and gain
frequented by, earthquakes). substantial headway with privatization of
Jordan hosts a population of business. The trade regime has been
5,759,732, with a growth rate of 2.56%, liberalized sufficiently so that Jordan
a typical age structure, an average age of gained admission to the WTO in 2000,
23, a life expectancy of 78 years old, and signed a free trade accord with the
a literacy rate of 91%. The population is United States (2001), and created an
98% Arab and 92% Sunni Muslim. association agreement with the European
As a typical third-world country, Union (2001). These advancements were
the government is faced with a high debt made in hopes of improving productivity
(eternal $7.32 billion, public $21.68 and gaining status as a foreign
billion), rate of unemployment investment prospect (both hopes are
(officially 15%, realistically 30%), and being sufficiently accomplished). Jordan
rate of poverty (30% below poverty used to export oil from Iraq during the
line). The annual GDP is approximately pre-Bush invasion period, but has
$25.5 billion. recovered sufficiently from this problem
Jordan is faced with poor by diverting its crude oil business
supplies of natural resources including transactions to the Gulf States and
those of water and oil. The country relies increasing the prices of retail petroleum
on phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, products. In May 2005, Jordan hosted
petroleum refining, cement, potash, the World Economic Forum at the Dead
inorganic chemicals, light Sea, where several issues pertinent to the
manufacturing, and tourism for industry, Middle Eastern Question were raised.
which grows in production at an Jordan has a standing military of
estimated rate of 5% per year. The main 60,625, with a registered 1,348,076
sector composing the GDP, surprisingly, males fit for military service. Per annum,
is the services sector, which returns the government spends approximately
71.5% of the GDP with 82.5% of the $1.46 billion on the military, which is
labor force. Exports entail various roughly 15% of the annual GDP.
commodities (perhaps phosphates the At this point, Jordan plans to
most important), which are mainly divert its economic attention to reducing
exported to the United States, Iraq, its dependence on foreign grants,
India, and Saudi Arabia. In return, reducing its budget deficit, and
imports (the most important being crude improving investment prospects so as to
oil) come from Saudi Arabia, China, spur job creation.
Germany, and the United States.
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The Cabinet of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
For the PICSim 2006 Conference, this committee will consist of HRH King
Abdullah II, the Prime Minister, and various ministers of the government, rather than a
panel of appointed advisors. This way, every delegate will have a field of specialization,
and can be consulted for his/her expertise on the issue at hand. This congregation of the
head of ministries will be our altered definition of the Jordanian Cabinet. Please review
the positions outlined below, be familiar with each minister’s duties, and become well-
versed in the matters that concern your ministry. It is vital that each delegate adhere
strictly to their character’s role, and not be biased by their own personal views. By doing
this, we can simulate any given situation with a great degree of real-world accuracy, and
hence, have a more fruitful and reward debate. The delegates should also realize that the
sense of authority in this cabinet is expected to be diluted; in a real situation with such a
cabinet, the King would have final say in all matters, and would value the Prime
Minister’s opinion more than any other. To interrupt a King is frowned upon as well, as
you can imagine. In this crisis simulation, I beg you to interrupt and/or dissent as you
deem fit (needless to say, a certain degree of respect is expected from all delegates).
Rather than expecting the king to make the final decision, a more democratic approach
will be used, to ensure participation from all. Decisions, of course, can be overruled or
altered at the king’s discretion, but will not occur frequently (only when the decision
made does not agree with the doctrines of the real Jordanian government, or when a
controversial move is required to spur debate and conflict).
The following roles may or may not all be filled by the delegates. In either case, please
read them all carefully so as to determine each minister’s area of expertise, and note
where duties may overlap (ministers must collaborate during our sessions in such a
situation).
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HIS EXCELLECY MINISTER FAROUQ KASRAWY (Minister of Foreign
Affairs): This minister will be expected to advise on all international political situations,
and will play a major role in debate. He/she will be expected to have extensive
knowledge on the political situation of each other country or council in this conference,
and all other pertinent organizations or states. This minister will be central to most issues
of debate, so it is expected that all ministers be well-versed in the current events of the
region.
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Note that Minister Najadaat is actually the Minister of State, and that Prime Minister Badran is also the
Minister of Defense. Since the Minister of State’s duties are covered mostly by the Minister of Interior, he
will not be required for this committee. Instead, he will serve as the Minister of Defense, since the Prime
Minister’s (director) duties are already numerous.
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interest Jordan may have. The delegate shall present the cabinet with pertinent
information about the UN subsidiary organizations operating in the Middle East when
requested (such as UNRWA). Note this delegate’s royal status: he/she must be addressed
as a prince at all times.
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Please not that in reality, these are two separate ministries. However, due to the time constraints on
debate, we are forced to merge these two ministries. When researching, please refer to the Ministry of
Social Development and the Ministry of Labor (possibly even the Ministry of Water and Irrigation).
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Other Useful Links
Although this background guide touches upon most topics necessary for this
simulation, it is not enough to educate oneself about Jordan’s politics sufficiently. It is
imperative that all delegates at least browse all of the following sites (this list is by no
standards complete):
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