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(MENAFN - Jordan Times) A proposed multiyear assistance package to Jordan entailing $900 million in annual funding is expected to be put to vote by the US House in July, according to a leading US congressman.
If approved, the package - which is intended to help the Kingdom implement future plans and overcome economic hardships - would be the largest assistance extended to Jordan in the history of bilateral ties.
Congressman Adam Schiff told The Jordan Times that this parcel "includes $500 million a year for three years of Economic Support Funds [ESF] and $400 million a year for three years of Foreign Military Financing [FMF]".
The $2.7 billion package is being proposed for 2009-2011 at the request of Jordan to allow the country to "better plan for the future" on the basis of present and foreseen needs, Schiff said.
He noted that Jordan sought the package to "reduce pressure on its budget and to permit expansion of a social safety net to help the less well-off in the Kingdom".
A government official confirmed in a statement to The Jordan Times that this was the accurate request made.
If approved, the aid for next year would include 36 per cent increase from this year. In January, it was announced here that Jordan would receive $363.5 million in ESF and $300 million in FMF, a 48 per cent increase from 2007.
At a recent hearing held by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations on the FY08 Supplemental Request, Schiff called for reconsideration of the Kingdom's current funding given "the changed circumstances".
The panel is responsible for setting all funding expenditures for the federal government. The subcommittee will vote on the bill in June and if it passes this step, it goes to the House Floor in July for a final vote.
According to a summary of the hearing, Schiff asked why the US government was not assisting Jordan, a key ally, "weather the storm" of the economic impacts of the Iraq war's strain on local education and health infrastructure.
Asked if Jordan is expected to fulfill certain requirements in return for the aid, Schiff said: "The Economic Support Funds and Foreign Military Financing are likely not to have enumerated tasks, but we assume Jordan's continued assistance in hosting Iraqi refugees and its crucial role in helping to mediate the Palestinian-Israel conflict are going to continue."
He said the US administration and Congress are both eager to help Jordan as "an important ally of the United States and a vital player in the peace process. It has also incurred huge new obligations as a result of the presence of large numbers of Iraqi refugees".
According to UN and government estimates, the Kingdom is hosting between 500,000 and 750,000 Iraqis, costing the country hundreds of millions a year.
Schiff noted via an e-mail interview from Washington, that Jordan is a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) threshold country, and the MCC has certain requirements such as good governance that the Kingdom is working towards meeting.
He said:"The American people always prefer to see progress in terms of governance, human rights, press freedom and women's rights in recipients of American assistance".
The MCC is an aid delivery concept, proposed by President George W. Bush in 2002 and established in early 2004. It targets a few low- and low-middle income countries that have demonstrated a strong commitment to political, economic and social reforms.
During a US visit earlier this month, Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania attended the launch of the "Congressional Friends of Jordan Caucus", which is co-chaired by Congressmen Schiff.
The bipartisan caucus seeks to strengthen bilateral relations between Jordan and the US, according to a statement released during the March 6th launch.
The congressman, who represents California's 29th district, said in the interview that assistance to Jordan is a central issue for the caucus and as a member of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, he is pushing for the three-year package.
Chairwoman of the sub-committee Nita Lowey, who is also a member of the pro-Jordan caucus, is also supportive of Jordan.
In her opening statements at the recent hearing, Lowey highlighted the need to assist Jordan, which is hosting Iraqis.
Lowey, also a congresswoman for New York's 18th Congressional District, closed the hearing "urging strong consideration of King Abdullah's request for assistance" among several other requests.
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