Jordanian FM denies regime is in danger of Egypt-like fall

Judeh says Jordan under Abdullah is different than Mubarak's Egypt; claims democratization is well under way in Hashemite Kingdom.

Jordan protest 311 (photo credit: AP Photo/Nader Daoud)
Jordan protest 311
(photo credit: AP Photo/Nader Daoud)
Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh dismissed the idea that Jordan's government would fall in a similar fashion to Egypt's regime, stating "Jordan is Jordan, Egypt is Egypt...we enjoy freedom of speech and freedom of expression." Judeh's comments came in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer which aired Saturday.
"I'm watching all the media outlets and I'm seeing the comparisons and I'm seeing the expectations. And one would confidently say that here in Jordan, we had demonstrations, as we have every year when it comes to economic issues and government's adopting policies that are unpopular," Judeh said. "We have economic hardship but we still have economic stability and political stability and political reform that is initiated by his majesty, the king, by the government. We're OK."
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Judeh expressed hope that the Egyptian army would ensure continued stability in the country.
"Egypt is a pillar of regional security and I think that what we have to watch out now for is the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces ensuring that the transition period leads Egypt into a new era that ensures Egypt's continued growth in the region," he said.
Jordan is in agreement with the Obama administration's conviction that democracy will bring more, not less stability to the region, according to Judeh.
"We in Jordan have been very, very stalwart in our political and economic program and as initiated by his majesty, the democratization process is well on track and his majesty is committed to that...We just had our parliamentary elections here. We will have municipal elections hopefully sometime this year. So, yes, democracy is very much the order of the day," Judeh stated.
Judeh added that he was reassured by the Egyptian military's announcement that they would honor their peace treaty with Israel.
"We still believe even at this particular moment in time that this historic juncture that -- at least is key to resolving many other challenges that we all face in this region. And the establishment of the independent Palestinian state to live side by side with Israel is still the goal we all seek," he said.