Local

AMMAN — Authorities have apprehended a group of people in Jerash Governorate, some 48km northwest of the capital, for uprooting a dozen of centennial olive trees for trade purposes, an official at the Ministry of Agriculture said on Tuesday.

Officials from the Jerash Agriculture Directorate stopped the vehicle that was transporting the Roman olive trees, according to ministry’s Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin.

“Some 12 uprooted Roman olive trees, which are over 100 years old, were found in the back of the vehicle, which was seized and confiscated while the violators were referred for legal action,” Haddadin told The Jordan Times.

The Forestry Department will replant the trees, which, if planted properly have a 100 per cent chance of living, according to the ministry.

Roman olive trees are usually sold for hefty amounts of money to hotels, resorts or companies for landscaping purposes.

The centennial olive trees are locally referred to as Roman olive trees, because some of them are over 1,500 years old, according to the ministry, which said that they are a cultural legacy and people must protect them.

Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat on Tuesday honoured the officials at the Jerash Agriculture Directorate who stopped the vehicle and prevented the loss of the trees. 

Ministry’s laws and regulations prohibit the uprooting of centennial fruit trees, which can only be allowed by obtaining official approval from the ministry.

Forestry lands amount to 1.5 million dunums, of which 250,000 dunums are bare, 400,000 dunums are natural forests, 500,000 dunums are planted forests and 350,000 are nature reserves, according to the ministry’s figures.

Under environmental regulations, those who cut down forest trees without a licence face a three-month prison term, a JD100 fine for each tree chopped down from state-owned land and a JD50 fine for each one from private land. In addition, their equipment is confiscated

AMMAN —  “Volunteering is not isolated from life, it is part of your contribution to a great circle”, said researcher Barik Mhadeen at an event organised by Mercy Corps to celebrate the youth working on the project “Youth Advancement for Peaceful and Productive Tomorrow [Peace Pro]” in Jordan. 

Every year on December 5, the United Nations commemorate the work of millions of volunteers across the globe under the motto “Volunteers act first. Here. Everywhere”. 

Peace Pro is implemented by Mercy Corps in the cities of Maan, Salt and Rusaifa after internal research showed that the youth in those areas are “most at risk”, according to Samer Zada, a project coordinator with Mercy Corps.

The project focuses on providing psychosocial support to youth aged between 12 and 19 years old, through different training courses delivered by young volunteer coaches. 

“First, we conduct a foundational training where we teach them how factors such as brain chemicals and hormones affect decision making,” Zada explained, noting that “this helps them understand the people they are dealing with”. 

“On the centres, we focus on building trust and team spirit, more than technical skills,” he stressed. 

The project coordinator stressed the need to work not only with the youth, but also with the families and communities. “If you only focus on the youth, you will not achieve what you are looking for, because they will always go back to a different world every day,” Zada told The Jordan Times. 

Peace Pro currently counts some 140 volunteers across the three locations, including coaches, coordinators, technical volunteers and mentors, all of them recruited from the local communities. 

During the event, speakers shared their personal experiences as volunteers answered the attendees’ questions. 

“Being a volunteer is a lifestyle, not something that you do on the side or to show off,” Mhadeen stressed, adding that “it improves your sense of belonging to a place and makes you feel that you are contributing positively to your environment”. 

The researcher encouraged young people to volunteer and actively find solutions to the problems in their societies. “There are a lot of things that need to be fixed, but I always think about that as a positive thing because it means that there is room for improvement,” he continued. 

“Volunteering showed me that what I want in my life is to be a person who spreads hope,” said Marwa Al Khawari, a volunteer from Salt. 

“Sometimes we do not recognise the many opportunities society gives us, but, when you start volunteering you can create your own opportunities, your own world,” she added. 

Volunteers were provided with a certificate honouring the work they do in implementing projects at the local level.  

“Without them, we would not achieve what we aim to in the communities. They do all the real work in the field,” stressed Zada, adding that “we took advantage of this day to gather all of them and recognise their efforts”. 

AMMAN — Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Jordan Azamat Berdibay said that Jordan and Kazakhstan share a common view on ​​interfaith dialogue, reconciliation, ethnic and religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence for believers of all faiths in the Middle East, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Tuesday.

During a seminar organised by the Prince Hussein Bin Abdullah II School of International Studies at the University of Jordan titled “Kazakhstan in the Contemporary World”, the ambassador said that the participation of His Majesty King Abdullah in the 5th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in June 2015, is a clear message given to the international society that, if there are joint efforts made by political and religious leaders, challenges can be addressed effectively.

Regarding bilateral ties, Berdibay said that they are witnessing a remarkable development, praising the political will of His Majesty King Abdullah and President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday met with chief editors and columnists of daily newspapers at Basman Palace, according to a Royal Court statement. The meeting focused on local issues and the latest regional developments.

Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan attended the meeting.

AMMAN  — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday received the credentials of newly appointed ambassadors to the Kingdom during a ceremony at the Basman Palace.

The newly appointed ambassadors are: Mohamed Barghathi of Libya, Abdullah Habibi of Afghanistan, Haruna Ungogo of Nigeria, Khalid Suhaili of Tunisia, Jilid Kuminding of Malaysia, Tracy Chamoun of Lebanon and Hidenao Yanagi of Japan.

The diplomats laid wreaths at the tombs of King Hussein, King Abdullah I and King Talal. Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attended the ceremony, according to a Royal Court statement.

AMMAN — “Give life a chance” is the theme of the 8th edition of the Karama Human Rights Film Festival, which is set to kick off on Tuesday at the Royal Cultural Centre in Amman with the screening of Lebanese film “Tramontane”. 

This feature film, set to be screened in the presence of main actor Barakat Jabbour, portrays a blind boy getting started on a journey to find his own identity. 

Directed by Vache Boulghorgian and produced by Carolina Oliveira and Georges Choucair, the movie won several international awards, and was premiered at this year’s edition of the Cannes Film Festival. 

“We chose this film for the opening because it provides audiences with a better insight on life, reminding us that there is always another chance,” festival director Sawsan Darwazeh told The Jordan Times, expressing that “the protagonist might be blind, but he has a higher vision and that gives him the energy to overcome any challenges”.

“The way this film depicts life is in line with our theme this year,” Darwazeh continued, noting that the festival’s aim this year is “to bring a positive view, and to encourage youth to enjoy their lives in a world where the pressure of the current conflicts makes us forget the details that make our lives meaningful”.

The festival will run through December 10, featuring a total of 77 films, documentaries and animation from 25 countries which will be screened in the governorates of Amman, Madaba and Irbid, in addition to the refugee camps of Zaatari and Irbid.

A total of 33 films will be selected to compete for the Karama Feather Awards for Best Feature, Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best Short Film and Best Jordanian Film. 

Furthermore, this year’s edition of the festival will see the launch of the new Karama Feather Award for the Best Jordanian Short Film, and the ANHAR award for the Best Human Rights Film in the Arab region.

Over 35 international guests will be attending the festival this year, including film directors, producers, affiliates, activists and professionals in the fields of cinema and human rights. 

Lebanese artist Carmen Lebos, Iraqi director Al Baqer Jafeer, Syrian director Alfoz Tanjour and director of the One World Human Rights Film Festival Ondrej Kamenicky are some of the guests of this year’s edition. 

In addition, the festival will dedicate its “Empty Chair” recognition to the world renowned artist and human rights activist John Lennon, recalling his socially engaged artistic output through over 150 songs calling for life, social justice and human dignity. 

“This recognition will take place during the MusiKarama event on December 8 in remembrance of the day when the artist was assassinated,” Darwazeh explained, stressing that “with his art, John Lennon advocated for all the values that we support in Karama, calling on the humanity to ‘give life a chance’”.

The festival will conclude on December 10 with an observance of the Human Rights Day, which is expected to be attended by EU Ambassador Andrea Matteo Fontana and Rima Khalaf, former executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. 

AMMAN —  His Majesty King Abdullah is scheduled to visit Turkey on Wednesday, at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

During the visit, King Abdullah will hold talks with President Erdogan on bilateral relations and the latest regional developments.

The visit to the Muslim country and major regional player comes as US President Donald Trump is expected, on the same day, to announce recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and, consequently, moving the US embassy to occupied Jerusalem (Click to see separate stories). 

Turkey and Jordan are also share concern for the future of war-torn Syria, as the two countries have been directly affected by the seven-year conflict. 

Amman and Ankara are also concerned neighbours of Iraq, which is bracing for a new era after defeating terrorists that have occupied swathes of the country for three years.

AMMAN — Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi on Sunday discussed via a phone call with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson regional developments, particularly the Palestinian issue.

The development came in the light of reports that US President Donald Trump may announce a decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Trump is close to the decision on whether to recognise occupied Jerusalem as Israel's capital, his son-in-law and Middle East peace envoy Jared Kushner said Sunday (Click to see separate story).

Safadi stressed on the importance of preserving the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, pointing out the “grave consequences” of such a decision. 

The potential step is critical, he said, given the special religious, historical and pan-national status of Jerusalem not only for Palestinians and Jordanians but also for the Arab and Islamic world. 

He also underlined the adverse effects of the expected move on the efforts being exerted by the US to help achieve Palestinian-Israeli peace, which have been accepted by Jordan and all Arab countries, adding that the decision is likely to push the region into further tension.

He stressed that the issue of Jerusalem should be addressed in the context of final-status negotiations in accordance with all relevant international resolutions and terms of reference.

Safadi and Tillerson also discussed bilateral relations and a number of regional issues, emphasising the importance of security and stability.

Meanwhile, Jordan, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has called for two emergency meetings of the Council of the League of Arab States and the foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to discuss ways to deal with the US’ looming decision.

Safadi has intensified contacts with counterparts to coordinate stances in light of the new developments.

The contacts have included Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubair,  Oman’s counterpart Yousef Bin Alawai, Egyptian top diplomat Sameh Shoukry and Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah, as well as Moroccan and Iraqi foreign ministers, Nasser Bourita and Ibrahim Al Jaafari, respectively.

Safadi also contacted High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Secretary General of the OIC Yousef Bin Othaimin, Petra, reported.

Meanwhile, the minister is engaged in intensified consultations with Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation Saeb Erekat and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Maliki over means to deal with the serious repercussions of the decision, if made.

During his last week’s visit to the US, His Majesty King Abdullah called for giving the peace process a chance to succeed, noting that moving the embassy must come within a comprehensive solution that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel.

Moving the embassy at this stage, the King warned, would have implications on the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim scene, and would threaten the two-state solution; it could be potentially exploited by terrorists to stoke anger, frustration and desperation in order to spread their ideologies.

AMMAN — The government on Monday agreed with the Lower House's Financial Committee that the latter handle setting the mechanisms to distribute the JD171 million allocated in the draft budget law to beneficiaries of the social safety network.

The decision is among four understandings that were reached during a meeting between Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh and Prime Minister Hani Mulki, attended by key lawmakers and concerned ministers, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The JD171 million will make up for rising cost of living brought about by lifting subsidies on commodities that have been a fixture in the economic system for decades, mainly the bread subsidy.

The second understanding is to keep exemptions of ownership transfer fees on apartments whose areas do not exceed 150 square metres, while the third is granting beneficiaries of the National Aid Fund a monthly kerosene subsidy of JD2 during winter.

The fourth agreement is exempting electricity subscribers whose consumption does not exceed 160 kilowatts per hour from the JD0.004 raise that went into effect as of Friday, as a result of the increase in oil prices to rates over $55 per barrel.

In December 2016, the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission announced adopting a scenario for electricity tariffs that will see lower rates for major consumers, while it will increase the tariffs “for all sectors” in case the price of a crude oil barrel exceeds the set limit.

In remarks to the press following the meeting, Tarawneh said that the past 24 hours saw a series of meetings and conversations between lawmakers and the government over national issues.

He noted that these understandings will be referred to other MPs to give their views after they are studied by the Chamber's Financial Committee.

BRUSSELS — As NATO foreign ministers convene on Tuesday to discuss the fight against terrorism, among other challenges, the alliance said it was working with partners, including Jordan, to strengthen their defences.

"At the meetings, the ministers will discuss projecting stability and fight against terrorism and working with a partner like Jordan is something we highly value," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference at the alliance's headquarters, adding that the discussions will also cover cooperation and support for southern partners.

At their meeting, NATO foreign ministers will also discuss North Korea's missile threats and cooperation with the EU and the alliance’s continuing adaptation in the face of diverse and evolving security challenges.

"Jordan is an important partner for NATO and it provides infrastructure as for instance for our training programmes as we have trained Iraqi officers in Jordan at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre…  and we will continue to strengthen our partnership with Jordan, which is a key partner for the NATO," he told reporters.

"NATO is helping Jordan with modernising its armed forces and we are focused on many different areas, including the role of women and the position of the women in the armed forces in Jordan," he added.

"We also welcome the fact that Jordan has played a key role in the progress that we have made in the fight against ISIS [Daesh] … I appreciate the partnership with Jordan which is a strong partnership," he said, adding that NATO highly appreciates the commitment and the focus of His Majesty King Abdullah to the partnership.

US Permanent Representative to NATO Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison labelled Jordan as one of the key and important partners for NATO and the US.

"The US and NATO have given added capacity building to Jordan and it is a major force of what is right in the Middle East," she said, adding that NATO will continue to give the Kingdom a special status for capacity and partnership building as it is a trusted ally.

The ministers would consider how NATO’s role in the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh “should evolve, as the Global Coalition moves from combat operations to stabilisation efforts”, said Stoltenberg.

“NATO is contributing to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS [Daesh] with AWACS surveillance flights. And by training Iraqi soldiers. But our work will not be done, even when ISIS no longer controls any territory,” he added, highlighting the role of partners in the region.

He also announced that NATO would add 3,000 more troops to its training mission in Afghanistan. 

The ministers will explore means of expanding cooperation between NATO and the European Union, which will help the two sides respond to challenges such as cyber attacks, terrorism and the need to improve military mobility.

They will also look into global threats including North Korea’s weapons programmes, he said.

“North Korea is undermining the global non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament regimes and the whole world needs to apply maximum pressure,” said the NATO official.

“Our partners in the region are at risk. And North Korea’s actions are also undermining the global non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament regimes. So the whole world needs to apply maximum pressure on North Korea,” he said.

“Our response has always been credible deterrence. We have the capabilities and the resolve to deter any attack. Our military strength is what makes diplomatic efforts possible,” he added.

In addition, the alliance will hold a meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission, giving ministers the opportunity to exchange views with “one of the alliance’s closest partners”, the secretary general said — including on “areas where we could cooperate even more closely, such as Black Sea security”.   

The ministerial meeting will conclude with a discussion on NATO’s Open Door policy and “how best to support those countries which aspire to join our community of shared security and shared values”.