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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Iraq vote heralds reform in Arab world-Jordan king |
| 2005-01-31 |
| Iraq's election will help set the wheel of reform moving in the Arab world and "there is no looking back", Jordan's King Abdullah said today. "I think what we saw yesterday in Iraq is a positive thing," King Abdullah told CNN a day after Iraq held its first multi-party election in 50 years. "I think this is a thing that will set a good tone for the West Asia and I am optimistic." His remarks were the most supportive yet by an Arab leader of the US-backed political process in Iraq. "People are waking up, (Arab) leaders understanding that they have to push reform forward and I don't think there is any looking back," said the king, a close ally of Washington. He said he didn't believe autocratic Arab leaders were "shaking in their boots" because of the voting in Iraq but said political reform was now an open subject in Arab societies. "Once you open the door to reform and it's allowed to be discussed in society, as it is throughout the Middle East, it is very difficult to close again," he said. The monarch urged Iraq's new 275-member parliament, which is set to be dominated by Shi'ite Muslims and Kurds, to work for an inclusive administration that would embrace the Sunni Arab minority, which showed little enthusiasm for the election. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #4 Ah, an excellent observation. I wonder where his brother is, these days, now that he's been relieved of the burdens of and any pretentions to royalty... |
| Posted by: .com 2005-01-31 9:51:31 PM |
| #3 This is not reassuring. I prefer it when Kings oppose democracy not co-opt it. |
| Posted by: Mrs. Davis 2005-01-31 9:47:03 PM |
| #2 Coming from a Kingy Thingy, words about democracy are pretty damned funny. |
| Posted by: .com 2005-01-31 8:56:59 PM |
| #1 Talk is cheap, king dude. Shut up and schedule an election for your job. |
| Posted by: Matt 2005-01-31 8:53:04 PM |