Jordan - Foreign Relations
The greater part of Jordan consists of a plateau some 700-1,000 meters above sea level. There are no natural topographical frontiers between Jordan and its neighbors Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and the plateau continues unbroken into three countries. The River Jordan rises just inside Syria and flows through Israel and Jordan until entering the Dead Sea 251km from its source. It is a tiny trickle of a river, especially in summer and, though a de facto frontier, is not a great natural obstacle. Jordan's plans for agricultural development entail increased irrigation, which depends on the availability of water, a scarce commodity in the region and therefore a potential bone of contention between Jordan and its neighbors. Various projects to improve the availability of water are being considered.
Like most states, the majority of Jordan's day-to-day foreign policy centers on the business of protecting the country's immediate interests and promoting the short-term welfare of its citizens. However, the Hashemite leadership also pursued another track designed to promote the long-term rejuvenation of the Arab world. Jordan's vision is evident in the speeches, remarks, and statements of King Hussein and King Abdallah. Essential to the Jordanian vision is the importance of being open-minded to the outside world and remaining aware of the constraints imposed by the current international order.
Jordan has consistently followed a pro-Western foreign policy and traditionally has had close relations with the United States. These relations were damaged by support in Jordan for Iraq during the first Gulf war (1990-91). Although the Government of Jordan stated its opposition to the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, popular support for Iraq was driven by Jordan's Palestinian community, which favored Saddam as a champion against Western supporters of Israel.
Following the first Gulf war, Jordan largely restored its relations with Western countries through its participation in the Middle East peace process and enforcement of UN sanctions against Iraq. Relations between Jordan and the Gulf countries improved substantially after King Hussein's death. Since the 2003 fall of the Iraqi regime, Jordan has played a pivotal role in supporting the restoration of stability and security to Iraq. The Government of Jordan has facilitated the training of over 50,000 Iraqi police cadets and corrections officers at a Jordanian facility near Amman. Jordan also plays host to a significant Iraqi population and has worked closely with donor agencies and the international community to address their humanitarian needs. In 2008, Jordan appointed and sent an ambassador to Iraq in an effort to strengthen bilateral ties.
Jordan signed a nonbelligerency agreement with Israel (the Washington Declaration) in Washington, DC, on July 25, 1994. Jordan and Israel signed a historic peace treaty on October 26, 1994, witnessed by President Bill Clinton. The U.S. has participated with Jordan and Israel in trilateral development discussions in which key issues have been water-sharing and security; cooperation on Jordan Rift Valley development; infrastructure projects; and trade, finance, and banking issues. Jordan also participates in multilateral peace talks.
Jordan's historical relations with the Palestinian leadership have at times been difficult. It continues to support it on political, economic, social and cultural issues.
Britain has a long-standing and close relationship with Jordan. Defence relations are an important part of this. Since 1993, annual joint military exercises have taken place and Royal Navy ships pay regular visits to Aqaba. In July 2002, the UK helped to support a debt rescheduling agreement as a result of the Paris Club discussions. This agreement enables Jordan to reschedule debts to lender states. In January 2008 the UK and other Paris Club members agreed a $2 billion debt settlement with Jordan. Jordan and the UK are also close partners in the fight against international terrorism.
Jordan belongs to the UN and several of its specialized and related agencies, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and World Health Organization (WHO). Jordan also is a member of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Nonaligned Movement, and Arab League.
Since the outbreak of the second Intifada in September 2000, Jordan worked to maintain lines of communication between the Israelis and the Palestinians to counsel moderation and to return the parties to negotiations of outstanding permanent status issues. These efforts bore fruit with the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations at the November 2007 Annapolis conference. Jordan played an important role in facilitating the peace process through the training of several thousand Palestinian security force personnel.
Jordan strongly advised the United States against its 2003 invasion of Iraq but has, nevertheless, soughtto find ways to help stabilize Iraqi society after Saddam Hussein’s ouster from power. Amman made these efforts (including a program to train Iraqi police) in partnership with the United States. Jordan’s fortunes have often been linked to events in Iraq, its larger and more populous neighbor, and instability in that country was of special concern to Amman.
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