Queen Noor al Hussein |
March 16, 1984
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Queen Noor al Hussein
Queen of Jordan; Founder, Royal Endowment for Culture and Education; Founder, Arab Children's Congress; Founder, The Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts
Answers to Written Questions from the Floor:
Q: Why is Jordan referred to as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan? Is its royal family related to that of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
A: No. Just to add one more detail, it is referred to as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, because the ruling family of Jordan since its creation is descended from the family of the Prophet Mohammed, which is considered the Hashemite family. His grandfather was called Hashem and, as a result, this strain of the family has been referred to as the Hashemite family ever since.
Q: In your recent parliamentary election, which for the first time permitted women to vote, about what proportion of the eligible women actually voted?
A: As the elections took place only a few days ago, we don't have the final statistics, but accurate indicators show that approximately 40 percent of the voters were women.
Q: Under what authority did Jordan occupy the West Bank from 1948 to 1967?
A: I think this is a very important question, and I will be brief but I would like to begin with a historical reference. The unification of Jordan and the West Bank of the River Jordan took place in 1950 in a unification pact. It occurred as a result of requests by West Bank leaders and notables who traveled to Amman to request from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan protection and security. They then feared the creeping annexation of the State of Israel, and they then had been subjected to attacks and various abuses by the new colonies in Israel.
There was a situation of tension at the time that of course was felt on both sides. Nonetheless, they requested a unification with Jordan. It was defined in a unification pact that clearly stated that the final, national identity of Palestine and its people would not be prejudiced by that temporary unification measure designed to protect the security of the people in the area.
This situation continued until l967 when the West Bank was occupied. As a result, elections could not be held, which had previously been held since l950, to guarantee half the deputies in our parliament in Jordan from the West Bank, 30 of them, and half of them were elected in the East Bank, 30 as well. That guaranteed all members of the community, on the West Bank as well as the East Bank, government, legally-recognized representation: it guaranteed them a voice, a political voice.
In l967, due to the circumstances of occupation, elections could not be held on the West Bank and were suspended for an indefinite period of time because there was the feeling that the situation would be imminently resolved. In l974, the Arab Summit Meeting in Rabat, Morocco, designated the Palestine Liberation Organization as the official and sole spokesman of the Palestinian people. As a result, Jordan had to move from its role as the official spokesman of the Palestinian people, and at that time the parliament met in emergency session and voted to suspend parliamentary activities in the country until the situation was resolved. It was recently reconvened, with West Bank representation and East Bank representation, a few weeks ago in Jordan. However again, we see this as an interim, temporary measure because we pray to God that the democratic rights of all people in the area will be able to be exercised in the near future.
Q: In what respect does Jordan expect conservative Israeli Prime Minister Shamir's reign to be significantly different from that of Menachem Begin?
A: I don't think he'd want it referred to as a "reign."
I can simply say that we have consistently, as I outlined, struggled to pursue all viable peace options in the Middle East, and will continue to do so. And again, we pray that it will be possible for the reasonable, moderate and humanitarian responsible voices in Israel to help achieve a resolution to the conflict.
Q: Are the morals of Jordanians and other Arab people being contaminated by TV to the extent we in the United States have been?
A: I would still emphasize that I believe fundamentally that we all share very high moral standards, in the Arab world and in the United States. We do have American programming in Jordan and programs from various other countries. Obviously, we are concerned about all factors that influence the cultural and social development of our people. However, I think this brings up a point that is important: it's that in the Arab world - it may not be understood well - there is a greater understanding of the United States and its way of life through such exposure to television and other forms of media. There is not, in the United States, and it's for very understandable reasons, an equivalent understanding of the Arab world and its people. I am here, and I hope that I can in some way encourage and inspire some of you to seek out greater knowledge, so that we can broaden understanding between both peoples of each other, of what we share, of what distinguishes us that we honor and respect. I think this will contribute greatly to the cause of peace in the area, and, as a general process, will contribute greatly to the cause of peace in the world.
Q: Can there ever be peace in the Middle East without satisfactory resolution of the Jerusalem problem?
A: Jerusalem is a very sensitive issue. I think it is a city that has been held up high and held important, to, as I mentioned earlier, all peoples who believe in one God. The three monotheistic religions all consider Jerusalem to be a very important and holy city. And one must also see in the context of history and political events that Jerusalem is the heartland of the occupied lands.
It is a very important issue that must be negotiated, and it must be resolved in order for peace to be achieved in the area.
Q: What impact is the recent surge of Moslem fundamentalism having on the Arab world, and especially on its relations with the West?
A: I think that, as has been the case with many other religions, there are many different communities that vary in their interpretation of the most important precepts of their religion. At the moment in the Arab world - in the Middle East, not just in the Arab world - there has been a great deal of discussion of the religion, not just as a spiritual force but also as a political force. Perhaps through the media again - if we may return to that subject - Islam in particular, I believe, in recent times, it has been conveyed through some of the very extremist voices and actions that have occurred in the Middle East recently. And it is probably not at all well understood in the Western world and now perhaps has been further distorted by exposure to extremist points of view. However, Islamic fundamentalism, if one can use that broad term, obviously takes many forms and means many different things to many people. If one takes it literally, it means a fundamental concern and emphasis placed on the precepts of Islam which, if studied carefully, you will find, as I briefly mentioned earlier, have a great deal to do with the fundamental moral precepts of Christianity, Judaism and those which I have suggested we must base our efforts upon if we are to live in peace in this world.
Q: Do you think Jordan can speak for the Palestinians in negotiations with Israel? If not, is there any other group except the PLO who can enter into negotiations?
A: As I mentioned earlier, the Palestine Liberation Organization continues to be the legal, internationally recognized spokesman for the Palestinian people. There has been a great deal of close contact between the Palestine Liberation Organization and the government of Jordan, particularly in recent times, and there will continue to be, God willing, cooperation and constructive efforts made to present an effective voice representing the people of Palestine and their desires and aspirations to the world community.
Q: What are the conditions Jordan would expect Israel to accept in order to bring about just and acceptable peace negotiations?
A: A great deal of emphasis has been placed upon the recognition of Israel: Israel's right to exist. Not so much emphasis has been placed, but in our part of the world it is felt to be extremely important, on the recognition by Israel of the rights of the Palestinian people, of their national identity, of their historic place in the area, and their rights to their land. I think that this is one aspect, one issue that is of critical importance. I think there has to be recognition by all sides of the fundamental principles that govern the way in which people and nations can work together and live together in peace. There are many other factors which have been even identified by American administrations as being obstacles to peace. One of the most serious and most heart-rending is this question of settlements in the occupied lands. And I think significant progress has to be made to indicate to the Arab world, and, I would say to the international community at large, that Israel really does want peace. And that it recognizes that peace has to do with relations between people and establishing a foundation of trust and mutual confidence that can help to improve those relations and make them constructive.
Q: Why did Jordan not allow a Palestinian state to be established when Jordan occupied the West Bank?
A: I think I answered that question before.
Q: Considering the history of the Middle East during the past 1,000 years, is it realistic to think that even another 200 or 300 years could bring peace to it if Zionists and Christians continue their present course? I hesitate to finish this. I don't understand it.
A: You might as well finish it, but I don't think I'll answer it.
Q: All right, I don't even think I'll read it, but I will: Might the only solution be the wiping out of all religion by the Russians? How did they get into this?
A: I would simply say that I pray, and I know all of us pray, that peace will come to the area long before even decades or scores of years, let alone hundreds of years in the future, and that it must. The time is running out; it is absolutely critical that genuine goodwill and determined effort be exerted now by all involved in this conflict, to bring it to an end.
Q: And the last question. You have made the transition from modern American professional woman to Jordanian wife, mother and queen. How have you done it? Does not so drastic a change make for great strain and tensions for you personally?
A: Let me start from the end. Yes. However, I think we all know that there are certain important decisions that are made in life that can be personal decisions, professional decisions and others, that have profound consequences and present important challenges to the individual. I would simply try to place those strains and tensions in the context that all of you have faced in your lives, and emphasize that I believe that one must confront these challenges with faith and optimism and humor. This is my approach to coping with strain and tension which we all feel in this modern world today.
How have I made the transition? It's a transition again that has occurred as a result of profound changes in my personal and working life. My origins were Arab and American; that transition has taken place within that context; it has reaffirmed that and has, God willing, benefited from the harmonious synthesis that I have made between both cultures, I pray. And I will continue to struggle to use myself to the best of my abilities to be a constructive and unifying and peaceful and positive, and, if possible, inspiring voice in my family, in my country, and in trying to improve relations between my country and the international community.
Generously funded by:
Tom Campbell
Dee Dee Myers