King Abdullah II of Jordan was born
in 1962, and currently reigns over The Kingdom of Jordan. While Jordan is
relatively quiet on the world scale, even though it lies within one of the most
conflicting regions of the world, the current situation in Syria has shed more
light on The Kingdom of Jordan; seeing as how many refugees have fled Syria for
a safer place to reside (many are now within Jordan’s borders). This speech
calls for action from the whole United Nations. Instead of a world power
speaking, it is a smaller country neighboring Syria, being heavily influenced
by the conflict in Syria as well as the turmoil in the Middle East.
Addressing the United Nations
General Assembly:
“It is an honour
to join you today. President Ashe, congratulations on your election. Mr.
Secretary General, sincerest thanks for your always-invaluable work.
My Friends,
Global security will long be shaped
by what is happening right now in the Middle East. Our region can be, must be,
a House of Peace and Prosperity: With strong pillars of good governance, and
wide-open doors to opportunity, especially for our young people. This is
Jordan's blueprint, and we are not alone.
But no house can be built when its
city is burning. And today, the region's fires cannot be ignored. All the world
is in their path. To protect the future, our world must respond.
The Syrian crisis is a global
humanitarian and security disaster. Escalating violence threatens to hollow-out
the rest of that country's economic and political future. Extremists have
rushed to promote and exploit ethnic and religious divisions. Such a dynamic
could crush regional renaissance and put global security at risk. We have a
duty to reject these destructive forces.
Last month, Jordan hosted more than
one hundred eminent Muslim scholars from around the world. Their work affirms
the true teachings of Islam, and builds on Jordan’s long-standing, inter-faith
and intra-religious initiatives: The Amman Message, A Common Word, and World
Interfaith Harmony Week. The scholars said that there is no single prescribed
model for an Islamic state. But they affirmed that the modern Islamic state
should be a civic state, founded on institutions, and with an inclusive
constitution based on the rule of law, justice, and freedom of opinion and
faith. The modern Islamic state should uphold equality, across the ethnic and
religious spectrum. The scholars decisively condemned the incitement of ethnic
and sectarian conflict (Fitna). They recognized this evil for what it is: A
threat to the Muslim World (Ummah), and indeed, all humanity.
Jordan has called upon the Organization
of Islamic Cooperation to adopt these recommendations, which are critical
guiding principles amid the turbulence and transformations across our region.
This month we in Jordan also
convened an international meeting to address challenges to Arab Christian
communities. They are an essential part of our region's past, present and
future. Jordan has been an historic model of coexistence and fraternity between
Muslims and Christians. We will continue to do our utmost to protect our Arab
Christian communities and minorities. And we call on all countries to join us
in our stand for diversity, tolerance and mutual respect.
The truth is, respect for each
other is the way forward for all of us. The historic transformation going on in
my region today won't be achieved by formulas; it will come when all our
citizens feel truly represented. Jordan seeks a House of the Future that
includes all. We are building our future on the solid foundation of majority
consensus, minority rights, a democratic culture of active citizenship, and
peaceful, evolutionary change.
My Friends,
The Syrian people must also have a
future... and for that, the international community must act. It is time to
fast-track a political transition in Syria: to end the violence and bloodshed, neutralize
the threat of chemical weapons, restore security and stability, preserve the
unity of Syria and its territorial integrity, and engage all, all, its people
in building their country's future.
Syria's future will depend on the
Syrian people. But the world has the duty, the interest, and the power to help.
And help must be soon. The damage and dangers are mounting. The flow of Syrian
refugees in Jordan already equals one-tenth of our own population. It could
reach one million, some 20% of our population, by next year. These are not just
numbers; they are people, who need food, water, shelter, sanitation,
electricity, health care, and more. Not even the strongest global economies
could absorb this demand on infrastructure and resources, let alone a small
economy and the fourth water-poorest country in the world.
My Friends,
Jordanians have opened their arms
to those in need, as we have always done. But I say here and now that my people
cannot be asked to shoulder the burden of what is a regional and global
challenge.
Let me acknowledge, with gratitude,
the generous response to date by the U.N. and regional and international
donors. But we can all see the reality on the ground: the need is out-racing
the response. More support is urgently needed to send a strong signal that the
world community stands shoulder-to-shoulder with those who have borne so much.
Those who are suffering in Syria also need the world to be resolute: the Syrian
parties must abide by international humanitarian law and principles, and allow
humanitarian access, into and within Syria, to reach those in need.
Our international community must
also work together for a speedy resolution of the region’s core crisis. The
Palestinian-Israeli conflict consumes resources that are needed to build a
better future, and feeds the flames of extremism around the world. It is time
to put this fire out.
The talks that began in July show
that progress can be made, with willing parties, determined U.S. leadership,
and strong regional and international backing. We commend the President of
Palestine and the Prime Minister of Israel for the bold decision to resume
final status negotiations. We urge them to stay committed to reaching an
agreement within the set time frame. Let there be no actions that can derail
what is still a fragile process. This means no continued settlement
construction, and no unilateral actions that threaten the status quo in East
Jerusalem and its Muslim and Christian holy sites. Such threats would be a
flashpoint for global concern.
We know the right way forward. And
the goal can be reached: a just and final two-state settlement, based on
international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative. For Israel: Real
security, and normal relations with 57 Arab and Muslim countries. For the
Palestinian people, at long last, the rights they deserve, in a viable and
independent Palestinian State, on Palestinian national soil, based on the 1967
lines, and with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Let us keep the focus on what we
are building: Communities safe for families to lead normal lives; a Middle East
of many Houses, working together in region-wide cooperation - the ultimate
security for our future.
My Friends,
The future is
ours to build, not in the Middle East alone, but in global partnership. Those
who are working to do the right thing need the whole world's support. With
every country that is more prosperous and free, with every neighborhood that is
safer, with every person who has more reason to hope: The entire House of
Humanity grows more secure. Let this be our promise, not only for future
generations, but for those we serve today.
Thank you”
His Majesty King Abdullah II, Plenary Session of the 68th
General Assembly of the United Nations, New York, US, 24 September 2013, kingabdullah.jo
--Hannah Willstein
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