Democratic Palestine : 38 (ص 22)
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- Democratic Palestine : 38 (ص 22)
- المحتوى
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° mum
J ordan
The Parliament and
the National Movement
In late February, Lina Al Aswad of Democratic Palestine had the opportunity to interview Theeb
Marjeh, a progressive Jordanian MP.
What exactly is the role of the parliament today,
and is it what you’ve hoped for?
The parliament is exercising its role in legislation and
supervision of the government. At this stage, in my opinion,
the parliament is searching for ways to involve the masses in
Jordan in the decision-making process. For example, we
publicize in the media that the parliament is planning to dis-
cuss a certain issue in order to encourage all concerned
people to write their opinions, whether in the papers or
directly to us. The parliament also invites experts in diffe-
rent areas to give their opinion about the issues being dis-
cussed. Of course, we realize that through this process the
popular representation within the parliament remains incom-
plete, because not all the masses are educated and aware.
Therefore, the country needs the mobilization drive that is
taking place nowadays. The different student and trade
unions and other mass organizations, such as the women’s
union, are currently engaged in this process. In addition, the
Writers’ League was recently revived. I feel that this process
is an important one in order to shape a strong public opin-
ion that will eventually influence the parliament’s decisions.
In your view, will this experience continue, or
will it be aborted as happenned with Nabulsi’s
government in 1956?
The situation in Jordan, in the Arab world and interna-
tionally is different today. Therefore, I believe that this
22
experience will and should continue. Our main task right
now is to do everything possible in order to consolidate this
experience. We must work to make all citizens realize that
it is in their interest. When we reach this stage, we will
reach the point of no return.
Regionally, we believe that Israel and the Arab
regimes, that fear the spread of democracy to
their countries, were put at a disadvantage by the
recent elections. In your view, who are the
domestic forces that were put at a disadvantage?
Some of the candidates who represented certain social
strata and interest groups, but weren’t elected, were defi-
nitely harmed by the experience. There are also some ten-
dencies in the ruling alliance who, due to the revival of par-
liamentary life, have lost their influence and control. I
believe, however, that some of the tendencies within the rul-
ing alliance, who may have partially lost influence, do have
an interest in the economic reforms.
As for the external dangers, I would like to confirm
that the Israeli threat is not only to the regime, but to the
people as well. Therefore, I believe that this factor will con-
tribute to the maintenance of the experience, because the
people will defend it.
What must the national forces do in order to con-
solidate this experience and to involve the popu-
lar masses in the political life and democratic
process?
First I would like to say that the experience is only
three months old, and you can imagine the size and nature
of the problems we are facing in Jordan. Yet, right now in
the parliament we are focusing on the issue of democratic
freedoms. This issue is the basis of all the others. Since the
opening of the parliament, we have emphasized the need for
democratic freedoms: the end of martial law; freedom of
movement; the right to hold a passport, etc. In my view,
many positive measures have been taken in this direction.
For example, all passports confiscated by the intelligence
apparatus have been returned to their holders. Also, all
applications for new passports or renewals have been
granted, to the best of my knowledge. In addition, the inter-
ference of the security forces in issuing work permits has
been completely stopped.
Democratic Palestine, March-April 1990 - هو جزء من
- Democratic Palestine : 38
- تاريخ
- أبريل ١٩٩٠
- المنشئ
- الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطين
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