We Never Sacrifice Our Arab Interests

Talal was heir to the throne until February 1999, when infighting in the Hashemite family kept him from the crown and he was replaced by his nephew, Abdullah. However, the cabinet’s modus operandi, particularly its economic activities, are all carried out under his supervision.

Talal is a well-known thinker in the Arab World. The Al al-Bait University in Mafraq and the Islamic Scientific Academy were established by Prince Hasan bin Talal. He has also founded the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan, and the Arab Youth Forum.

Following is the Iranian Diplomacy’s exclusive interview with Hassan bin Talal:

IRD: Sir, you have extensive ties with Shi’a institutes and figures across the world, while at the same time your country has imposed many restrictions on its Shi’a community. What is the basis of these restrictions?

HT: Yes, I’m in contact with many faith-based organizations and centers across the world, including the [Shi’a] Imam Al-Khoei Foundation in London, and the An-Nur Institute. In general, we respect religious factions inside our country and even support them on many occasions. However, the Kingdom of Jordan has based its policy on maintaining the integrity of the country, and does not wish to sacrifice the interests of the majority for the minority. Jordan is predominantly Sunni; Shi’as are a minority. But we look at them equally and never discriminate between Shi’a and Sunni, or Christian and Muslim. They are all Jordanian citizens and children of this land. If you take a tour across Jordan, you will see that Shi’as freely practice their rituals and the government treats them as it does the other citizens.

IRD: How do you view King Abdullah’s “Shi’a Crescent” remarks?

HT: Those comments belonged to their own specific temporal situation. And King Abdullah’s words were not interpreted accurately, either. All in all, regional developments were taking place which had caused concern in the Arab World. In Iraq, the ruling system was undergoing a metamorphosis and the new regime was relatively pro-Shi’a. Up until then, Iraq had an outstanding stature in the Arab World and was considered an influential country. The dominating branch of Islam was Sunni Islam which is the shared religious faction in the Arab World. Now things have suddenly changed in one of the most important Arab countries. Plus, this country is adjacent to one [Iran] which is ruled by a Shi’a system. Imagine that two neighboring countries that were once enemies and were engaged in a war against each other, are now going to follow the same branch of Islam and follow a governing fashion different from that prevailing in other Arab countries.

On the other hand, there are Syria and Lebanon that both have established close ties with Iran. If we look at the map, we see countries that are behaving different from the common trend in the Arab countries. That doesn’t mean we have to be scared of them. For us, all these countries are friends and brothers. King Abdullah’s remarks were not a warning to a country or a community, but an alert to the ongoing changes the region was witnessing.

IRD: What are Jordan’s new policies vis-à-vis the new Iraq?

HT: We have acknowledged the reality. We have accepted the transformations in Iraq. We also opened the doors to cooperation. In fighting terrorism we have established close ties with Iraq and provided Iraq with relief on Jordan’s borders. Our relations with the Iraqi leaders are also friendly. Leaders of all Iraqi political groups visit Jordan and we treat them with good manners. Messrs. Jalal Talebani, Mas’oud Barezani, Seyyed Ammar Hakim, Nuri Maliki, Ayad Allawi and other Iraqi leaders are all our friends, and we have very friendly relations with them.

IRD: You have provided Saddam Hussein’s family with refuge, but this contradicts the interest of the Iraqi nation and their new regime.

HT: They are guests of the government of Jordan. Even if they are staying in Jordan, they are not fighting against anyone. As a host, we have received them.

IRD: How do you see Jordan’s relations with Iran?

HT: During the past 32 years, Iran and Jordan’s ties have had many ups and downs. For a time, our relations with Tehran were not friendly enough; however, during Seyyed Mohammad Khatami’s presidency our relationship with Tehran became relatively warm. We dispatched an ambassador to Iran, and received Tehran’s ambassador. In the past four years, Iran-Jordan relations have changed a bit, but fortunately the level of ties has not undergone transformation. In general, whenever Iran’s relations with the Arab World have changed, it has affected its relations with every single Arab country. Jordan is, after all, a member of the Arab World and a change in Iran’s relations with the Arab World has an impact on its relations with Jordan. Iran and Jordan can improve the current state of relations, but unfortunately, expanding ties is not on Iran’s agenda. Of course, one reason is the different approach of Iran and Jordan toward the Middle East and the Arab World’s developments.

IRD: Iran has adopted ‘resistance’ as its approach toward Israel, while Jordan prefers reconciliation and peace with Israel. Which one is closer to reality, and better serves the interests of the Palestinian and Arab nations?

HT: Our adoption of reconciliation is the fruit of many wars and conflicts with Israel which have brought us to the fact that there is no way but negotiation, and to solve our Arab-oriented problems we have to sit at the negotiating table with Israel. We have never compromised with Israel to sacrifice our national or Arab interests. Our relations with Israel are based on mutual respect and grasping the reality that to attain an objective, there is no need to fight forever and the door to negotiations should stay open. King Abdullah has always looked at problems realistically, and has taken an anti-Israeli stance if necessary. He has always supported the rights of the Palestinian nation. We are host to a large number of Palestinians and our mutual ties have been perfect during these years. Meanwhile, we are neighbors of Israel and feel the threat more than countries that are geographically distant. Iran’s approach is of course different. Iran does not sense the threat of Israel as we do. Israel, even if it wants, cannot militarily threaten Iran because ground access to Iran is impossible for Israel. However, Iran’s approach to Arab issues is distinctive. At any rate, resistance is the other face of confrontation with Israel. We respect the demands of resistance movements in Lebanon and Palestine, and hope they can achieve their goals, which are the same for the Arab World.

IRD: How do you see Jordan’s approach toward Iran’s nuclear program?

HT: As long as Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful, we will support it. We are against the spread of nuclear arms in Middle East, but if [Iran’s] goal is attaining peaceful nuclear technology, we respect and support it.

IRD: In your inter-Arab diplomatic affairs, do you feel affinity with Egypt’s or Saudi Arabia’s policies?

HT: We have friendly and brotherly relations with both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Naturally, cultural and geographical affinities make our relations with Saudi Arabia different. However, all in all our relations with all Arab countries are fraternal and friendly.

IRD: The government of Jordan had once expressed concern over rapprochement between Iran and the United States. How do you see that?

HT: We have never had worries over the improvement of ties between the two countries. Every country, based on its own interests, can establish ties with other countries. Iran and the United States can resume relations whenever they deem appropriate. Jordan has always regarded its own interests. Naturally, we define our relations in a way that does not undermine our interests. We are the U.S.’ regional ally and have strong ties with Washington.