November 8, 2002. Copyright, 2002, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Key players in Middle East melting pot: King Abdullah of Jordan
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, November 8, Graphic News:  Jordan has been called the meat in the Middle East sandwich. Unlike almost all of its Arab neighbours, it enjoys good relations with Israel and the U.S. is a generous friend. Yet more than 60 percent of its inhabitants are of Palestinian origin, and its economy depends greatly on Iraq. Since succeeding his father King Hussein in 1999 at the age of 36, King Abdullah has had to play double bluff to avoid being devoured by greedy predators. An Oxford-educated career soldier whose glamorous wife Rania has been described as the ÒPrincess Diana of the Middle EastÓ, the king has met regularly with George Bush while publicly rejecting war against Iraq. The accession of Abdullah nudged Prince Hassan out of the picture, and not only has spurned Uncle Hassan been seen cosying up to exiled Iraqi opposition leaders, he has also been spoken of as a possible leader for Iraq should Saddam go. The U.S. has promised Jordan aid worth $500 million next year and would like something for its money. Meanwhile, Iraq supplies almost all fuel to the resource-poor country in return for goods, and IraqÕs demise would spell economic disaster for Amman. Talking the talk without walking the walk was alright so long as it remained economic, but the intifada has strengthened grassroots opposition to JordanÕs pro-western attitude. In the summer the royal family swiftly denied rumours that the U.S. would launch war on Òour brotherly state IraqÓ from Jordan yet the country has been the launch-pad for combat missions against Baghdad in the past.  Jordan sat out the Gulf war. This time, however, it may not be so easy.
/ENDS