Ammon News - * BNA: An exclusive interview with former Jordanian PM Dr. Abdul-Salam Al-Majali
MANAMA Former Jordanian Prime Minister, Dr. Abdul-Salam Al-Majali, in an exclusive interview the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), hailed HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and praised the ongoing reform project led by HM the King, and he envisioned the Kingdom Bahrain's future as teeming with values capable of friendliness, forbearance and accord and capable of achieving its ambitions and consolidating the pillars of the Kingdom.
Dr. Al-Majali, in an exclusive interview with the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), accentuated that dialogue is the sole way to achieve demands, urging Iran to refrain from meddling in Bahrain's internal affairs lest "fire shall extend to Iran", asserting the need to differentiate between sectarianism and politics, according to Dr. Al-Majali.
Dr. Al-Majali, who is currently the President of the Islamic World Science Academy and member of various international organizations, expounded on his vision of the situations in the region especially in Syria and Palestinian. The seasoned former prime minister, Dr. Al-Majali, offered invaluable advice to Arab youths.
When asked about his frequent visits to Bahrain since 1967 and his firsthand knowledge of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Al-Majali said that he thinks Bahrain's recent incident were the result of many factors, primarily foreign interference in Bahrain's internal affairs, the issue is not entirely domestic but continuously poked from abroad. I would also like to point out that there some individuals and factions who have their own (selfish) interests, ideologies and inclinations instigated by (provocative media). Two days ago, I was in one of Manama neighborhoods. I saw by my own eyes a youngster who brought tires, poured benzene, ignited them and videotaped this using his mobile phone. The street was empty from traffic at that time and nobody stood near him, but I am sure that external media are too ready to snatch his video as soon as this kid uploads it into YouTube after introducing some retouches in order to add more thrill through montage, commentary, captions, etc.
When asked after he mentioned foreign interferences in the region and whether he meant a specific entity, he said that when he listened or viewed Iranian radio and TV, he said that I can clearly see their attempt at instigating violence and destabilize Bahrain. But I believe Iranians should be quite sure that dialogue is the sole way to solve problems in the region and not through incitement and provocations. Therefore, Iranians should support the national consensus dialogue. However, to continue instigation will start a fire whose flames will ultimately reach them.
When asked that after he had partaken throughout his professional career in numerous dialogues and negotiations how did he see the resumed national consensus dialogue sessions in Bahrain, he said that he has always believed that calm dialogue gives the debaters abundant opportunity to achieve aspired results. Maybe the benefits of calm dialogue are unlikely to be reaped overnight, but they are a real treasure trove if compared with losses resultant from violence. Violence is unacceptable for any reason whatsoever, because violence breeds more violence. Debaters should understand that the motherland is above everybody because its the homeland of everybody. However, when streets are shut down and public facilities sabotaged, then you, your family and relatives will suffer from the damage. To achieve this, there should be political societies that have clear-cut political programs and not political societies clothed in religious, sectarian, geographic or ethnic garb. A political society must have its own program. When societies are incorporated to which people become affiliated, this takes place on the basis of their program and not because of sectarian affiliations. The societies enter Parliament to represent their constituents. Bonds between societies or parliamentary blocs and their constituents are not sanctimonious nor do they derive from religious doctrines. Societies and constituents are bound by interest and no sooner do societies fail to represent their constituents than they shall be dissolved.
When he was asked if he though Bahrain is on the right track , he retorted: Yes, and without any hesitation. The reform project of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is an ambitious and courageous reformative project but cannot be implemented completely overnight. I believe in decentralization and that citizens should be enabled to manage their own life affairs by themselves. The center should focus on politics and policies and other issues which do not concern the common people.
People in the countryside and villages have their own demands which differ from the demands of city people. This is normal all countries worldwide, however, a safe and sound formula should be attained in order to realize such demands in a manner which expedites the reforms process instead of obstructing it.
Dr. Al-Majali talked about the most successful GCC socio-economic unity and described it as an example for the whole world. He saw the GCC countries as an essential partner in development projects in the Arab and Islamic world and predicted the relocation of GCC investments from Europe and America to Arab countries which provides Arab manpower with ample opportunities to work in industrial and services project to employ Arab citizens locally. He also saw the Syrian conflict being now in the hands of the UN and urged for a peaceful solution, although no replacement for Bashar's regime has yet matured.
Dr. Al-Majali cautioned against a "tsunami" in the region if the Arab-Israeli conflict remains indefinitely unsolved and voiced pessimism about instability in the Middle East which he described as an apparent political failure.
He said that wars cannot give the region any political stability and that we must end bloodshed and the state of instability in the region. He also urged Arab youths not to be sufficed with education but to increase their cultural body of knowledge because to get to know our fellow humankind gives us ample opportunity to understand and accept them. The world now has become a microcosm village as a result of telecommunications and transportation breakthroughs. An ample opportunity to explore and develop is there available for all open-minded, qualified ambitious young men and women who would like to improve themselves and to develop their homeland. (BNA)
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