Nasser Judeh
From AICbackground
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quotes
“It’s unfair to expect Jordan to have an open door policy. Iraq is surrounded by five countries. I find it very strand that the emphasis is on Jordan to open up its borders to anybody and everybody.” (http://www.black-iris.com/2006/04/11/nasser-judeh-unleashed/)
“The Arab Peace Initiative is very much alive, there is no expiry date. There were calls for it not to be open-ended, and I believe for the Arab Peace Initiative to survive, to succeed and to be effective there has got to be a partner that accepts it. Therefore, I would like to quote from His Majesty the King in his remarks today at CSIS, that it is important for all of us to remember that peace is a win-win situation for everyone. So there were calls to remind everyone that the Arab Peace Initiative is not there indefinitely; it is there provided that a partner accepts it. Israel cannot continue living with a fortress mentality. Israel must see the opportunities that are inherent in the Arab Peace Initiative, which provides the formula whereby 57 Arab and Muslim countries will have normal relations with Israel provided that we arrive at the two-state solution and the comprehensive peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors.” (http://middleeastprogress.org/2009/04/jordan%E2%80%99s-strategic-role/)
Early Years and Education
You attended elementary and preparatory school at College de La Salle in Amman, Jordan. You continued to Ordinary and Advanced level studies at Eastbourne College in Sussex, England. You later attended Georgetown University in Washington DC where you graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (International politics, law and organization) from the School of Foreign Service. You are married to the daughter of the uncle to King Abdullah II of Jordan. Princess Sumaya used to work in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and at Sotheby’s. She is the Vice President of the Anglo-Jordanian Society. You have four kids, 2 boys and 2 girls.
Public Life
You have served the government in several roles. You used to be the Minister of Information of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which is the official spokesman’s role for the government. Also, you were the Director General of Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTC), the national broadcaster of Jordan. In 2003 you served as the media advisor to Royal Jordanian Airlines. Previously, you also served as Chairman of the Board of Information and Communication Expertise (ICE), a group that specialized in dealing with communication and information technologies. During this time period, you also were on the board of several companies. Then, on November 25, 2007 you were appointed State Minister for Media and Communication. Finally, on February 23 2009, Jordan’s King Abdullah II issued a decree approving the major reshuffling of the Prime Minister’s cabinet, which resulted in you becoming the new Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Domestic Concerns
Your office has stated that its mission is to consolidate Jordan’s pivotal role based on moderation in the regional and international arenas, with the aim of protecting Jordan’s higher national interests. You generally play the moderator in many issues, for fear of some of the more extremist elements within the Palestinian movement, or indeed from Islamists in general. These are the kinds of acts that can prevent you from accomplishing your goal of having a peaceful, stable Middle East. Also, you believe that Jordan is an Arab Islamic nation, and that the Jordan people are an integral part of the Arab and Islamic Nation. You hope to make Jordan a more open place, while still adhering to the principles of the Great Arab Revolution, which expressed the nation’s aspirations of unity, liberty and independence. One thing that you feel strongly about is domestic terrorism. In July of this year, after the terrorist attacks in Indonesia, you reiterated your firm stance on combating terrorism, and lashed out at all facets of this deplorable act. Another discussion you had this year was with Russia. In May you sat down with the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, at which you had conversations regarding Russian-Jordanian bilateral relations, characterized by active cooperation in the political, economic, commercial, cultural and other fields. Also, the two of you discussed the importance of the peace process and the need to continue this process in the Middle East.
Beliefs and Policies Pertaining to the Middle East
One of the biggest diplomatic concerns of your office is the Palestinian issue. You believe that the establishment of the Palestinian State is one of Jordan’s diplomatic main goals. One thing that you mention is that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is no longer just a regional conflict, but is a global one, and it is something that should interest everyone. You want this problem to be solved, with a two-state solution, so that the Middle East can work on other problems as a collective whole. However, it is not just the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that must be fixed, but also the broader Arab-Israeli conflict. One way to solve it is through the Arab Peace Initiative, which would have 57 Arab and Muslim countries normalizing relations with Israel, provided that a two-state solution occurs. Two nations that you feel are vital to this initiative are Syria and Lebanon, two countries that have a long history of violence and fighting with Israel. Getting those two on board with your ideas could be vital to making your ideas into reality. You do realize, though, that Israel must also gain its independence in this situation, because of your dealings with the United States. Your friendship with the United States has helped to build your relationship with Israel, and you will continue to listen to their side as well because of the business your country does with them. However, Jordan is a pro-Palestinian country, due to the fact that there are so many Palestinians there. As a result, you are supporting Egypt’s efforts to negotiate reconciliation between the two Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah. This must not affect Jordan’s foreign policy, which as you have stated has been consistent since 1921, in that it focuses on stability and is based on respectful non-interference in other countries’ affairs.
Role Playing Notes
You have stated that your foreign policy is clear, and that it is based on the non-interference in the internal affairs of others, as you expect the same. You are a mild mannered man, who tends to agree with the Jordanian King on many issues. Your views are very similar to those of your country generally, especially the matter of playing intermediary in addressing many of the problems involving multiple members of the Middle East. You consistently will offer to play the role of peace-keeper in your region, as you feel that peace is a very viable option, especially if the Arab world can unite and agree to a set of rules to work with.
References
http://www.black-iris.com/2006/04/11/nasser-judeh-unleashed/
http://www.ibima.org/Amman2004/program.html
http://www.silobreaker.com/biography-for-nasser-judeh-5_2260511640908726272_4
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=upi20090717-215006-4964&show_article=1&catnum=2
