[IMRA: "our martyrs on the walls of Jerusalem and in the yards of the Holy
Aqsa Mosque" - On July 20, 1951, King Abdullah of Jordan was assassinated by
a Palestinian, Mustapha Shukri Usho, at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Abdullah was murdered because it was believed that he was going to make a
separate peace with Israel.]

King Addresses Nation on Independence Day
www.petra.gov.jo/nepras/2006/May/25/10.htm

Amman, May 25 (Petra) -- His Majesty King Abdullah II said that Independence
is a continual state of giving, building and self-reliance to enhance
independence and build a future fit for the free people of Jordan, those
with resolve and strong will.

King Abdullah stressed, in a speech on the occasion of the 60th anniversary
of the Independence Day, that the future is the responsibility of all
citizens, especially youth who bear the greatest because they are more able
to affect change and to realize achievements, noting that Jordan is stronger
than all challenges and conditions.

''When we say 'Jordan First', we mean that we should complete the building
of a Jordan that is strong and invincible, able to provide support and asset
the Arab brethren, whether in Palestine or Iraq or any other Arab country.''
His Majesty said. ''It does not mean deserting our duty towards our nation
or its just causes''.

''Jordan will remain, with God's grace, the Arab Muslim country that belongs
to the Arab and Islamic nation, keen to shoulder its religious and national
duty towards all Arab and Islamic causes.'' King Abdullah said.

''Under no circumstances will we permit Jordan's relationships with any
country to be at the expense of our relations with our Arab and Islamic
nation.'' stressed King Abdullah.

His Majesty said that the homeland's affiliation with the Arab Revolt and
the affiliation of its leadership with the honorable House of Prophet
(PBUH), obligate Jordan to be the first in defending Islam, Arab and
Muslims.

King Abdullah stressed that Jordan will never, under any circumstances, fail
to support and assist the Palestinians until they attain their rights,
including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on
Palestinian soil.

''Jordan's basic pillar of strength is preserving national unity, integrity
and steadfastness among the sons of the one Jordanian family, and the
achievement of comprehensive development which enhances Jordan's strength,
and enables Jordan to support the Arab brethren and Arab causes'' King
Abdullah said.

His Majesty said ''I have always felt and understood the suffering and
concerns of every citizen...As you all see, we are working day and night,
traveling from one country to the other in order to benefit from our
relations with the world...''.

King Abdullah said that Jordan achieved a lot throughout the past seven
years, be it in the field of economic and social developments of our
democratic march, noting that there is still a long way to go.

''As for those rumors doubting the soundness of our march and the ability of
this homeland to meet the challenges of national and international
circumstances, those who do not love the homeland and do not wish it well
are the source of such talk'' King Abdullah said.

Following is the full text of His Majesty's speech

In the Name of God,
The Most Merciful, The Compassionate

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Good evening to you all; I wish you and the homeland a happy and good year.

This is a blessed day, dear to the heart of every Jordanian, man and woman,
the descendants of the founding generation who sacrificed immensely for the
independence of the nation and the liberation of the Jordanian individual's
will.

On this day, it is our right and our duty to remember, with pride and
appreciation, the founding fathers, all of the pioneers, who contributed to
the building of this homeland. They did so in the face of many challenges
over the past sixty years and persevered in spite of a scarcity of resources
and material capabilities, and of the tragedies and wars to which this
region was subjected. The gallant children of this one Jordanian family, men
and women, under the leadership of the builder, the late al-Hussein, may God
bless his soul, realized great achievements through determination, resolve,
belonging, confidence in the future and in each Jordanian's capabilities to
give and achieve.

On this precious occasion, I would like to extend my congratulations and
felicitations, and to express my appreciation and feelings of pride, to
every citizen, male and female, in this country - in the Badia, villages,
camps and cities. I would like also to extend special greetings to the
gallant Jordanians, male and female, in the Armed Forces and the security
institutions, who have sworn their blood and souls to defend this homeland
and safeguard its independence and achievements.

Independence, brothers, is not just an occasion to be celebrated once a
year; rather, it is a continual state of giving, building and self-reliance
to enhance independence and build a future fit for the free people of
Jordan, those with resolve and strong will.

This future is not the responsibility of one person or group of citizens of
this homeland. It is the responsibility of all of us: the laborer and the
farmer, the civil servant and the student, the soldier and the mother who
raises her children on love and a sense of belonging to the homeland.

Youth bear the greatest responsibility, because they are more able to affect
change and to realize achievements.

In return, we have a responsibility towards youth, and they are entitled to
education and training that equips them to face any challenge and build the
future we seek; the future with which youth were entrusted.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Every one of us knows, and is proud of, the fact that this homeland was
established on the principles borne in the message of the Great Arab Revolt,
led by Sharif al-Hussein Bin Ali, to liberate and unify the nation. Hence,
Jordan will remain, with God's grace, the Arab Muslim country that belongs
to the Arab and Islamic nation, keen to shoulder its religious and national
duty towards all Arab and Islamic causes. Under no circumstances will we
permit Jordan's relationship with any country to be at the expense of our
relations with our Arab or Islamic nation. The homeland's affiliation with
the Arab Revolt and the affiliation of its leadership with the honorable
House of the Prophet (PBUH), obligate us to be first in defending Islam,
Arabs and Muslims.

When we say Jordan First, we mean that we should complete the building of a
Jordan that is strong and invincible, able to provide support and assist the
Arab brethren, whether in Palestine, or Iraq, or any other Arab country. It
does not mean deserting our duty towards our nation or its just causes, as
some short-sighted people believe. Jordan was, and will always be, a
sanctuary for all free Arabs; therefore we say, Jordan First, Jordan always,
and Jordan under all circumstances and conditions.

Jordan's basic pillar of strength is preserving national unity, integrity
and steadfastness among the sons of the one Jordanian family, and the
achievement of comprehensive development which enhances Jordan's strength,
and enables Jordan to support the Arab brethren and Arab causes, primary
among them the Palestinian cause and that of the Iraqi people.

Jordan, brothers, cannot forget the union of blood, goals and destiny with
the Palestinian brethren; it is also impossible for Jordan to forget the
blood of our martyrs on the walls of Jerusalem and in the yards of the Holy
Aqsa Mosque. We will not, on any day, under any circumstances, fail to
support and assist the Palestinians, until they attain their rights,
including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on
Palestinian soil.

Dear Brothers,

Since the day I was entrusted with my responsibilities, I have always felt
and understood the suffering and concerns of every citizen - male and
female - in this country. I know that the reasons for this suffering are
difficult economic conditions, rising prices and other problems which we
need to overcome as soon as possible. As you all see, we are working day and
night, traveling from one country to the other in order to benefit from our
relations with the world around us and employ these relations in the service
of our country. I follow up personally on all matters, so that we can
overcome these problems, and elevate the citizen's standard of living.

Praise be to God, we have achieved a lot throughout the past seven years, be
it in the field of economic and social development, or in the field of
political development and the enhancement of our democratic march. But
honestly, there is still a long way to go. We should all work together, in
the spirit of the one team that belongs to the homeland; the one team that
is sure of itself and of a bright future, God willing.

We should rely on ourselves, brothers, and if we do not help each other, and
work as one hand and one heart [towards] one goal, no body will help us, and
we will not be able to overcome our problems. Hence, brothers, we need
patience and sacrifice. Bearing the hardships ourselves is easier and more
dignified than expecting others to do so for us. We need no favors from
anyone.

As for those rumors doubting the soundness of our march and the ability of
this homeland to meet the challenges of national and international
circumstances, those who do not love the homeland and do not wish it well
are the source of such talk. Jordan is stronger than all challenges, and
stronger than all circumstances, and with your will and resolve it will
always be Jordan First, Jordan always, and Jordan the role model.

Please allow me, on this occasion, to present to my brothers and sisters in
the Armed Forces, the security institutions and the civil service, and the
retirees, a simple Independence Day gift.

Again, brothers, I send my greetings with pride and appreciation to every
citizen in this country - male and female - and wish you and dear Jordan
many happy returns of the day.

Peace, God's mercy and blessings be upon you.

End...................

//Petra// Shniqat

25/05/2006 13:16:03