Jordan’s Elections

Your Nov. 2 report, claiming that Jordan’s parliamentary elections are seen as a “setback” for Jordan’s democratization march, leaves issues in need of clarification.

Some opposition members voluntarily chose to boycott the elections, which were free and fair. Some of those who chose to disobey the party line and run for parliament did indeed win or retain their seats. That the Jordanian public did not abide by the boycott, indicated by the 44% voter turnout, speaks for itself.

Regarding the press law, a clear consensus existed among the Jordanian public that tabloids were increasingly becoming a problem for Jordanian society, which is for the most part socially conservative. The Islamists were among those most opposed to such yellow journalism for its moral inappro- priateness.

That some Jordanians have expressed disappointment with Israel’s current policies is not a sign of lack of support for peace. Polls indicate that the majority of Jordanians support peace, though that majority is a silent one compared to the vocal minority opposed to full normalization of relations with Israel before a settlement on the Palestinian front. That the Islamist opposition in the previous parliament was unable to pass any of its proposals is no fault of the government, but a reflection of its status as a minority in parliament, though undeniably a vocal one.

RANIA ATALLA, Director

Jordan Information Bureau

Washington