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Al-Ahram Weekly 4 -10 February 1999 Issue No. 415 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 4 -10 February 1999 Issue No. 415
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Book Fair Economy Opinion Culture Features Living Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Constituting the crown prince
By Lola KeilaniKing Hussein's appointment last week of his eldest son, Abdullah, as Jordan's new crown prince to "comfort worried Jordanians on the future of their country", did not completely allay concerns about the succession. Nevertheless, Jordanians consoled themselves with the fact that Hussein, the world's longest-serving head of state, was himself only 18-years-old when he was sworn in as king.
"During this time, many predicted a short life span for the Jordanian state because of its lack of natural resources and the political turmoil that is so characteristic of the Middle East region. But Jordan, guided by the young king, defied these predictions and has survived," said one political observer. "I expect nothing less from the future King Abdullah," he added.
Some Jordanians are concerned that 36-year-old Abdullah lacks political expertise and international acumen in contrast to Hassan who has been crown prince for the last 34 years.
Others are more optimistic about the prospect of Abdullah as king. "Had the political skills of Prince Hussein been tested when he assumed the throne at the age of 18?" asked a prominent political analyst. "We mustn't forget that Prince Abdullah has spent most of his 36 years close to his father learning the intricacies of political decision-making from an international statesman of legendary standing."
Newspaper editorials and columnists are calling on Jordanians to stand united at this critical juncture, arguing that now that the succession has been decided the future of the kingdom is not up for debate.
"It is essential to close the file on the issue of succession for such talk will create internal chaos," said the editorial of the daily Al-Dustour.
Taher Edwan, editor-in-chief of the independent Al-Arab Al-Yawm newspaper said, "In order to maintain Jordan's stability and its political gains, national unity should prevail."
Jordanians replace a picture of King Hussein with his brother, former Crown Prince Hassan, for one of the king with his son and newly appointed heir to the throne, Abdullah (photo: AFP)
According to political observers, the new crown prince is supported by the Jordanian army which wields considerable influence.
"The crown prince is a major-general in the army and is very much supported by both the powerful intelligence and public security establishments," said Saleh Qalab from Al-Arab Al-Yawm.
Abdullah is also backed by the Jordanian east-bank tribes, whose hundreds of tribal sheikhs converged on the palace to pledge allegiance. This coincided with a drastic deterioration in the king's medical condition.
"The prince has established very good relations with officers, most of whom come from Jordanian tribes. He not only knows them by name but also visits them in their regions," said one army officer.
In addition, the majority of Jordanians of Palestinian origin welcomed the king's decision. Palestinians, for reasons dating back to the fighting between Palestinians and the Jordanian army in 1970, were hostile towards former Crown Prince Hassan. Abdullah, on the other hand, is related by marriage to a well-known Palestinian family in Tulkarem, the Yassins.
"Palestinians support him because they dislike the former crown prince, whom they blame for 'Jordanising' decision-making following the 1970s civil war," said one political observer.
On the regional front, Prince Abdullah managed to rally support from a number of Gulf states. The United Arab Emirates, on the eve of Abdullah's appointment, announced that it is considering depositing funds at the Central Bank of Jordan to raise hard currency reserves. Saudi Arabia, through Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, expressed support for the new crown prince.
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's unscheduled visit to Jordan to congratulate the new crown prince in person ended speculations that the US would favour the younger Prince Hamzeh, son of the American-born Queen Nour.
Albright said that she and the prince discussed "the issues he is facing in Jordan", understood to mean economic difficulties and potential threats from Syria and Iraq.
By coincidence, her visit came on the final day of the shipment of Jordan's military aid from the US for 1998. The $25 million worth of infra-red equipment, anti-tank weapons, ammunition, telecommunications equipment and spare parts brought the total of American aid for the year to $75 million.
Prince Abdullah's first duty as crown prince came with his address to the Council of Arab Interior Ministers' meeting held last week in Amman.
Meanwhile, the official pictures of the former crown prince have been removed from Amman's streets and public buildings; a million new pictures of Prince Abdullah are being printed.
