Monday, March 30

King Hussein President Mubarak discuss peace process

His Majesty and the Egyptian President discussed in a telephone conversation today the latest developments in the peace process and the Palestinian-Israeli track. The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations.

Friday, March 20

Their Majesties depart Washington for a private visit within the US and the UK

Thursday, March 19

His Majesty holds talks with Secretary Cohen and President Clinton in Washington D.C.

King Hussein met with US Defense Secretary William Cohen in the Pentagon early today. Their talks centered on the concept of achieving security and comprehensive stability in the Middle Eastern region through advancing the peace process. The US side stressed the importance of the Jordanian role in boosting the opportunities of security and stability in the region, and the US determination to continue to support the Jordanian Armed Forces in upgrading their efficiency by providing them with state-of-the-art weapons and through training programs and cooperation to upgrade the capabilities of the Jordanian Air Force and the Jordanian ground forces. His Majesty then met with US President Bill Clinton in a one-to-one meeting at the White House. The two leaders discussed ways to revive the faltering Middle East peace process, growing bilateral relations between Jordan and the United States, and Jordanian suggestions for a dialogue between the US and Iraq.

King Hussein receives Arab ambassadors

His Majesty held talks with a number of Arab ambassadors in Washington, King Hussein discussed with them several regional issues and informed them of his talks with the US administration.

Wednesday, March 18

His Majesty holds talks with Senators, Congressmen and the US Secretary of State

During a meeting with US Senator Jesse Helms, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, King Hussein stressed the need to intensify efforts to get the peace process back on track and outlined the important role the Unites States can play in this respect. His Majesty held talks with US Secretary of State Madeline Albright on bilateral relations and means to further them in all fields. King Hussein reiterated the need for a more active role for the US in breaking the current deadlock in the peace process and urged the United States, as co-sponsor of the peace process, to be more than a mere messenger between the two sides and to work hard on finding a solution for the stalemate. Albright asserted that the United States is committed to grant Jordan $250 million in aid in 1999, as well as further increasing food support for the Kingdom. King Hussein held meetings with US Senators and Representatives. The King met with the Senate Majority leader Trent Lott and Senate Minority leader Thomas Daschle, as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich.

Click here for the text

Tuesday, March 17

His Majesty meets US Congressional committees

King Hussein this evening met with heads of the Foreign Aid Committees on Capitol Hill, where the committee’s chairman emphasized the need to continue providing financial aid to Jordan to enable it to pursue its overall development plans. In answering a question on whether the US should take a more active role in the Middle East region, His Majesty replied, “I think that there is a feeling amongst many of our friends here that the United States should take the leadership role that it is suited to take in the world of today, and regarding the issues of our part of the world, to help bring about the better future that we all seek and to help with the peace process in particular.”

Monday, March 16

His Majesty is presented the Humanitarian Award

King Hussein and Queen Noor were honored today by the Simon Wiesenthal Center for their efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. On receiving the Humanitarian Award, His Majesty reflected on the current impasse in the Middle East peace process, saying “Certainly our hopes were for greater progress...for the people of the entire region to enjoy the freedom of working together...That this has not been achieved is true. But it must and it will, God willing.”

Saturday, March 14

King Hussein is given a clean bill of health

His Majesty telephoned Crown Prince El Hassan from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota today, and informed him that the results of the medical tests were excellent and that he was in good health.

Thursday, March 12

Their Majesties head to the US for talks in Washington D.C.

King Hussein and Queen Noor left for the United States today where His Majesty will have his routine medical check-up and meet with US President Bill Clinton.

Wednesday, March 11

King Hussein emphasizes the importance of the badia

King Hussein addressed a rally in the town of Safawi, in eastern Jordan, where he emphasized that Jordan is determined to turn the badia region (semi-desert lands) into a productive territory through the collective efforts of its people. Saying that he will spare no effort in providing support to the badia inhabitants in their endeavors to achieve progress and development, His Majesty announced that he was donating JD 100,000 ($140,000) to the Jordan Badia Research and Development Program, which has been undertaking the task of developing the Safawi region.

Their Majesties receive human rights award

Their Majesties King Hussein and Queen Noor received the “Torch of Liberty” award from the Volunteers of America organization “in recognition of their efforts in the fields of human rights, peace and democracy.” The award, which has only been presented once before to a foreign dignitary in its 100 year history, aims to change the “negative portrayal of the Muslim World in the Western media through King Hussein and Queen Noor.”

Tuesday, March 10

King Hussein telephones Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah

King Hussein today called Crown Prince Abdullah to inquire after the health of King Fahd, who was recently treated for an inflammation of the gall bladder. His Majesty wished the Saudi monarch a speedy recovery and good health.

Suspected rioters released

A group of 29 persons who were detained and interrogated for suspected involvement in last month’s disturbances in Ma’an were released after His Majesty directed the government to speed up the process of investigation.

Monday, March 9

Premier directed to conclude the Ma’an affair

His Majesty on Monday directed Prime Minister Abdel Salam Majali to speed up investigations of detainees who are being held on suspicion of involvement in last month’s riots in the southern town of Ma’an. The Royal directive reflects His Majesty’s keenness to end the investigations by releasing those who committed minor offenses and referring the others to court for trial.

Sunday, March 8

His Majesty discusses the peace process in Cairo

King Hussein made a brief visit to Egypt today, where he held talks with President Mubarak. The two sides discussed the obstacles that hinder progress on the Palestinian-Israeli track and emphasized the need for the achievement of peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis, in accordance with the agreements already signed by the two sides, before beginning final status negotiations. The two leaders also expressed their satisfaction with the Iraq-UN accord on arms inspections and reiterated the need for full compliance with the agreement so as to pave the way for lifting the sanctions.

His Majesty receives Israeli minister

In the evening, King Hussein and Crown Prince El Hassan held talks with Israeli Minister of Infrastructure Ariel Sharon in Amman. The discussions focused on water-related issues and Jordan Rift Valley (JRV) projects, as well as the stalled Middle East peace process. A statement by the Royal Court said that the two sides agreed on establishing railway lines and industrial projects in the JRV “as soon as possible.”

Saturday, March 7

His Majesty concludes his trip to the Gulf region

King Hussein returned today from a five-day visit to the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Upon his arrival, the king said that he hoped the world community would focus on the Middle East peace process “so that all of us will have the feeling that the world is dealing with all issues by the same standards.” On his call for direct dialogue between Iraq and the United States, His Majesty said: “I have not been requested by any party to suggest this dialogue, but I have expressed what I believe is a right start, which will follow at a later stage, after the full compliance of the agreements reached, to end the suffering of the Iraqi people.”

Thursday, March 5

His Majesty flies to Oman from the U.A.E.

King Hussein flew from the United Arab Emirates to the Sultanate of Oman, where he held talks with Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id. The two leaders discussed bilateral ties and the need to unify Arab countries’ positions on the Arab-Israeli peace process. They expressed satisfaction with the recent UN-Iraq accord, and stressed the need for its implementation so as to open the way for direct dialogue that would pave the way for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Iraq.

Wednesday, March 4

King Hussein urges dialogue with Iraq

Addressing a meeting of Arab ambassadors to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi, His Majesty expressed satisfaction with the UN-Iraq accord on arms inspection, but urged Iraq to abide by UN resolutions to help ease the suffering of the Iraqi people and open a way for a direct dialogue with the US. The King also expressed hope that “the world will deal with our Arab issues by the same criteria as it deals with problems elsewhere in the world.” His Majesty reiterated his belief that a direct dialogue between the US and Iraq would be the best method for clearing the way for lifting the sanctions on Iraq. “A dialogue is the best solution, instead of following detective style arms inspections...If we want to finish with the issue of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, a dialogue could lead to an understanding that is acceptable and binding to all”.

Tuesday, March 3

His Majesty begins state visit to the Gulf region

King Hussein arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for discussions with President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahayan. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, and the Palestinian-Israeli track of the peace process. King Hussein briefed His Excellency Sheikh Zayed on his initiative to bring about direct dialogue between the United States and Iraq, thus contributing to easing tension and sparing the region the consequences of any military action against Iraq.

Monday, March 2

King Hussein urges dialogue with Iraq on Radio Monte Carlo

In an interview with Radio Monte Carlo, His Majesty called for dialogue to resolve problems in Iraq, and said that only the people of a country can change its leadership, referring to calls demanding that the US oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. The king said “Only the people of the country can make changes in its leadership and therefore I believe dialogue is needed to offer the chance to the concerned parties to express their views openly and reach satisfactory results.” Referring to the Arab stand vis-à-vis perceived US double standards in its Middle East policies, King Hussein said “We in the Arab world feel that the two issues in the region are being dealt with two different criteria, and this is unacceptable and unjustified.” His Majesty also commented on the need for democracy in the region, relations with the Gulf states and with Turkey, and for the need for Arab countries to provide support and backing for the Palestinians.

Click here for the text of the interview

Sunday, March 1