Hussein of Jordan, Voice for Peace, Dies

Jordan crowned a new King today after Hussein, ruler of the Hashemite Kingdom since 1952 and a man admired around the world as a champion of peace, succumbed at age 63 to the cancer that had ravaged him in his final days.

King Hussein died as his heart failed in an Amman hospital at 11:43 A.M., 48 hours after he was flown home unconscious from a clinic in the United States. The palace said it had been his ''persistent wish'' to die on Jordanian soil.

Within two hours, in a somber yet seamless succession, the late King's eldest son, now King Abdullah II, appeared on television in his debut as Jordan's ruler to console a nation already in tears.

Source: New York Times

Jerusalem: a symbol of peace: a point of light

Jerusalem, the old holy city, is above sovereignty. It belongs to all the descendants of the Children of Abraham — Muslims, Jews and Christians. It must become a symbol of peace, the essence of peace, between all of us. A point of light for the whole world. This does not make it possible for any one side to unilaterally disturb the status quo until there is agreement all around.

Hussein bin Talal

Source: The Royal Hashemite Court

Address to the Nation: Hussein bin Talal

Recognizing the desirability of supporting the Palestinians in their struggle for independence, on July 28, 1988, King Hussein announced the cessation of a $1.3 billion development program for the West Bank, explaining that the measure was designed to allow the PLO more responsibility for the area. Two days later, he formally dissolved Parliament, ending West Bank representation in the legislature. Finally, on July 31 he announced the severance of all administrative and legal ties—with the exception of guardianship over the Muslim Holy Sites of Jerusalem—with the occupied West Bank.

This severance of ties allowed Jordan’s electoral law to be changed, redrawing the map to include only East Bank districts. Disengagement therefore marks the turning point that launched the current democratic process, and began a new stage in Jordan’s relationship with the Palestinians.

Source: The Royal Hashemite Court

ISRAELI PEACE PLAN REJECTED BY HUSSEIN

King Hussein of Jordan said today that he had seen nothing in the Israeli peace proposal offered to Egypt last week that could form the basis for a negotiated solution of the Arab-Israeli dispute.

Source: New York Times