Jordan asks for Canadian help in Mideast Peace Process

So this is what Harper means by Canada being back on the world stage. We are to be a supporting character for George Bush's plans for solving the Israeli Palestinian problem. Harper is obviously a good choice. He is blatantly pro-Israel as shown in his reactions to Israel's invasion of Lebanon and in his support of Fatah against Hamas.Harper also admires the US and would like Canada to follow the lead of US foreign policy for the most part. Jordan is often- but not always- a faithful follower of US policy and so is a good choice to enlist friendly helpers. There will be no fuss about Jordan trying to get nuclear power facilities. Jordan has also helped the US in rendition. Arar was shipped through Jordan to Syria. The article of course makes no mention of Jordan's human rights record:

Tuesday, April 10, 2007


Arab rights group assails Jordan human rights record
Lisl Brunner at 5:20 PM ET



[JURIST] Jordan [JURIST news archive] demonstrated a poor human rights record in 2006, according to a report released Tuesday by the Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR) [unofficial advocacy website]. The report singled out for particular criticism the country's controversial Terrorism Prevention Law, passed [JURIST report] last year in response to the Amman hotel bombing [CTV report] that killed 57 people in 2005. The AOHR joined opposition parties and UN officials in characterizing its provisions as tantamount to martial law [JURIST report], saying it imposes harsh penalties beyond the scope of the criminal code.

The report also denounced the decision to extradite suspected terrorist Mohammad Zaki Amawi [indictment], a dual citizen, to the United States without providing him a prior trial in Jordan. It additionally condemned Jordan's agreement [JURIST report] with the US not to deliver any US citizen to the International Criminal Court at The Hague without prior written approval from Washington. According to both the AOCHR report and the 2006 US Department of State Country Report for Jordan [DOS backgrounder], Jordanian officials obtained confessions from detainees by using physical abuse or threats of torture. DPA has more.

Of course Harper fails to bring these matters up. Jordan is not China after all!



Mideast on agenda for PM, Jordan's King Abdullah
Last Updated: Friday, July 13, 2007 | 7:00 AM ET
CBC News
Jordan's King Abdullah II will meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper Friday in Ottawa to press Canada to take on a larger role as a potential broker in the Mideast peace process.

The prime minister and the monarch will reportedly discuss trade between the two countries and renewal of negotiations to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict, as well as "ways to strengthen security and stability" in Iraq, according to Jordanian officials.

Abdullah is also seeking Canadian help in building two nuclear power plants in Jordan.

The two leaders are scheduled to hold a joint news conference at 10:30 a.m. ET after a private meeting at Parliament Hill.

The U.S. and British-educated Abdullah is held in high regard in the West for his diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and attempts to rejuvenate peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Jordan is one of the few Arab states that recognizes Israel and has seen an economic renewal under Abdullah's reign.

Abdullah will also meet with Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion before attending a lunch with business leaders.