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J()RDAN'S
KING
(Continued from page 5)
West Bank are beginrung to feelthat
the Palestine Liberation Organiza–
tion ( PLO) coalition is hopelessly
divided and unable to effectively
negotiate for them. These Palest in–
ians are hinting at sorne sort of Jor–
danian representation for themselves
in peace negotiations.
The idea of a " Jordanian option"
has been around for years. This con–
cept envisions negotiations with Jor–
dan on sorne sort of territorial com–
promise for the West Bank. Areas
heavily populated with Palestinian
Arabs would, under this proposal, be
turned over to Jordanian sovereign–
ty. Areas vital to lsrael 's security
would be retained by Israel. An
independent Palestinian state would
not be part of such a plan.
Publicly, King Hussein rejects
any such proposal. At an Arab sum–
mit meeting in Rabat, Morocco, in
1974, Jordan officially abandoned its
claim to the West Bank. Jordan
joined other Arab nations in recog–
nizi ng the PLO as the sote represen–
tative of the Palestinian people.
But sorne observers feel that this
is a decision King Hussein would
take back, given the opportunity.
Amman has never completely
ruled out the possibility that there
might . ultimately be sorne sort of
Palestinian link with Jordan. The
official position is that Palestinians
must be allowed to shape their own
future as they deem
fit.
(fa major–
ity decides it would prefer West
Ban k federation with J ordan as
opposed to an independent Pales–
tinian state, Jordan has not said it
would object.
The PLO, however, is dedicated
to the goal of a fully sovereign, inde–
pendent Palestinian nation on the
West Bank. lt opposes any form of
" J ordanian option," as such an
approach would undermine the
PLO's claim to be the sote represen–
tative of the Palestinian people.
These differing vicws on the issue,
however, appear to be essentially
beside the point. Israelí Prime Min–
ister Menachem Begin's resolve to
resist all talk of territorial compro–
mise precludes
any
form of PLO or
Jordanian participation in the auton–
omy talks. Jordan 's Crown Prince
Hassan ibn Tala!, who specializes in
Hussein-Sense of
Duty
West Bank matters, recently re–
stated his belief that the Israelis will
continue efforts to rid the West
Bank of both Jordanian and PLO
influence.
No compromise settlement is in
sight.
Beyond Human Control
The future of Jordan depends upon
the interaction of factors that may
ultimately prove to be beyond
human ability to control. As King
Hussein himself once remarked ,
" lt
is sad when you can see in
advance how things are going to go,
time and again, and you are help–
less to prevent them."
Bible prophecy has not ignored
the modern-day kingdom of Jor–
dan. And it reveals that despite
genuine and sincere efforts toward
peace in the region, a
great crisis
is
yet to occur throughout the Middle
East. As diplomats strive to head
off a new explosion in the Middle
East, forces beyond the power of
responsible statesmen to control
will propel much of the region–
and the world- into a time of
unparalleled chaos!
Moreover, the Bible reveals that
King Hussein of Jordan is
!he longest-reigning monarch
in the Middle East. Almos!
47 years of age, he has
ruled for nearly three
decades.
King Hussein is a direct
descendant of Mohammed,
the founder of Islam. Born in
Amman in 1935, King
Hussein was educated in
Egypt and in Britain. He
succeeded to the throne of
Jordan upon the abdication
of his father Tala! in 1952
because of illness.
saved when the assassin's
bulle! grazed a meda! on his
ches!.
Later , in 1958, King
Hu~sein 's
cousin, King Faisal
11 of lraq, was killed in a
bloody military coup.
The lesson of these
experiences was obvious to
the young king. The survival
of his Hashemite dynasty
(named alter Hashim,
great-grandfather of
Mohammed) was in !he
balance. King Hussein would
have lo muster all his
política! acumen lo preserve
his throne. To date. he has
escaped assassination
nearly a dozen times.
and enemies alike. His long
years of experience have
given him a measure of
realism that few others in
the region can match.
Though not yet 50, he is
often referred lo as the
"elder statesman" of the
Middle East.
former presiden! of Pan
American Airways. Now a
Jordanian citizen, her natural
charm and compassion have
captured the hearts of her
countrymen. A working
queen, she tackles her
duties with enthusiasm. She
is personally involved in
innumerable projects and
activities, including !he
improvement of Jordan's
educational facilities,
protection of !he
environment, development of
community recreational
centers and preservation of
Jordan's architectural
heritage (Oueen Noor has a
degree in architecture from
Princeton).
King Hussein is a survivor.
As a teenager , he witnessed
the assassination (in 1951)
of his grandfather, King
Abdullah, by a radical
Palestinian in the AI-Aksa
Masque in Jerusalem. Young
Hussein himself was a target
in that attack, bu! was
August 1982
King Hussein's astuteness
and political skills have
earned him respect and
prestige both al home and
abroad, among his friends
Genuinely popular al
home. King Hussein and his
American-boro wife, Oueen
Noor ai-Hussein ("The Light
of Hussein"), exude a sense
of duty that is not los! on
the people of Jordan. The
royal couple travel freely
among their people, whose
devotion is readily apparent.
In virtually every place of
business, pictures of the
royal couple adorn !he walls.
Oueen Noor is !he former
Lisa Halaby, the Princeton–
educated daughter of a
King Hussein and his
queen feel the weight of
responsibility very heavily.
' 'Our lives are not
importan!," !he King once
observed. "The future is
what is importan!, the lives
ol !hose who are to follow."
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