What Was Secretly Said to the King at the White House

The king was very comfortable at the White House — it could be read in his face when he and the American president were speaking to journalists on Tuesday afternoon. He had a statement to make after our meeting in the president’s house in Washington.

As we went to the White House, we passed through the search procedures, and waited for an hour or more in the press room, before we entered the American president’s office. Think of all the lies that are to be published in Jordan. Five opponents stopped by the White House — one of them a Saudi national. They arrived after planning for weeks to start a demonstration. They failed in every sense.

In Amman, some of us believe that there is a Jordanian opposition abroad. So where is it? Why did it only succeed in gathering four out of tens of thousands of Jordanians in the U.S.? Three gathered in opposition near the British parliament with the same story. What a story, like a tempest in a teacup. A Jordanian is worried breathing in the ash and disturbing the inside of Jordan because it is forbidden to think of contacting someone abroad.

The American president is in his office at the White House, with the king on his right, supporting Jordan. Satisfaction with this support could be seen in the king himself. What was said to the king in the private meeting was said in a supportive manner and broadcast in the media. Jordan does not object to any critics of its politics, but there is clear esteem toward its reforms unless someone comes and blames Jordan for its reform process. It is clear that Washington understands the sensitivity of Jordan’s situation and does not consider Jordan among the countries of the Arab Spring for which autumn followed.

After hours of listening to the statements by the king and Obama at the White House, where the king stayed with the queen, they ascended the throne, the Prime Minister and other ministers. I asked the king if the American president considered Jordan to be unstable. He responded that the American administration committed itself to fully support Jordan, and that relations with Washington are strategic. Moreover, Washington is awaiting reforms that will be more progressive compared to those of other countries, indicating that Obama is satisfied with Jordan’s actions and that American officials know what is going on in that region.

During the meeting, the king answered questions on sensitive topics like the situation in Jordan, political reforms, corruption, the media and morality, the future, the nature of recent movements, parliamentary and country elections, economic concerns, the situation in the region — on the Syrian and Palestinian fronts — and what Jordan’s plans are toward world events. You get emotional when the king speaks patiently about those who offend him, saying that he knows those who hurt him and his family, and saying: “They insult me and my family,” insinuating that a big corruption scandal will be announced shortly.

I told the king that we need a national initiative to raise the people’s morale, or a big national project that will gather people. The queen asks what I propose in this case, but before I respond to that question, the king says that we need to focus on the meaning of our Jordanian identity and unity, and what this identity means to all of us. It means to be a Jordanian in every respect. In addition to that, popular movements are not to be questioned in Jordan and people have the right to express their opinion.

During the meeting, the king was very optimistic. He said that he would visit Saudi Arabia soon, and maybe Libya — all in Jordan’s interest. Jordan appreciates Saudi Arabia’s and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf’s support, recalling how some of the media reported that Gulf investors rob the country, and that the emirs and sheiks feel embittered by insults to them and their countries. They invest in Jordan and their reputations are sullied because they are regarded as thieves. The king’s words were full of regret and bitterness.

Jordan is not among the countries of the Arab Spring. This is what can be concluded from what was said to the king during the private meeting with Obama, and what could be read from the king’s face and his words. It is clear that the king knows very well that what is most important is the justice in the heart of every Jordanian, and that that is more important than any Arab or international support by governmental organizations toward Jordan and its people.

What was said secretly to the king at the White House is the same as what was said to the king in public.