(MENAFN- Jordan Times) The US government supports the Kingdom's reform process, but believes that it is up to Jordanians how this reform happens and at what pace, the US embassy in Amman said.
In a statement issued Tuesday and e-mailed to The Jordan Times, the spokesperson of the US embassy in Amman, Karl Duckworth, commented on reports that appeared in the local media quoting US Ambassador to the Kingdom Stuart Jones as commenting on the progress of reforms in the country.
"I have noted the attention in the press given to the ambassador's comments to several youths while chatting at the July 29 Umsiah at the embassy and the subsequent retelling of what was said. To be clear, we have repeatedly said, and the ambassador said on July 29th, that the US government supports His Majesty King Abdullah's roadmap for reform," Duckworth said.
"This has four stages: national dialogue; constitutional amendments; implementing legislation and elections."
"Now three of these stages are complete and elections remain. It is up to the Jordanian people on how it happens and at what pace. But one can say objectively and the ambassador said on July 29th, that the King's roadmap for reform is on schedule," the US embassy official added.
However, Duckworth said that during the side talk with several youths, the ambassador gave his personal opinion on the political reform process and the upcoming elections.
The embassy's statement highlighted the envoy's opinion in which he believed that all parties should participate in the electoral process and youths should turn out to vote, adding that this is the best way to ensure representation and accountability in government.
News reports quoted Jones as telling the youths that the Muslim Brotherhood represents 35 per cent of Jordanian society.
Jones also said, according to Duckworth, that the Independent Elections Commission, which has already adopted many international best practices, represents an important step for reform in Jordan
"The ambassador's opinions reflect the democratic values and traditions of the United States and he stands by them," Duckworth concluded.
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