Royal Court responds to King's The Atlantic interview
AMMONNEWS - The Royal Hashemite Court on Tuesday said that the article published by The Atlantic on King Abdullah II, segments of which were republished by local and international news outlets, included "many fallacies and took matters out of their correct context."
A source at the Royal Court said that the article included analysis that reflected the author's point of view, and information attributed to King Abdullah "in an inaccurate and untrustworthy manner."
The Royal Court clarified that the King's meeting with the Atlantic journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, came in the context of the King's relay of his vision towards comprehensive reform, and his keenness to not waste opportunities to realize tangible results to move Jordan forward on the path of development and progress.
The source stressed the King's "pride in all Jordanians, and in all the state agencies and institutions, the sincerity of their loyalty, and awareness of the challenges that faces the nation from both the inside and outside."
In regards to statements attributed to the King in the article on local state and social institutions, the source said that "the descriptions were projected in a manner that contradicts reality and truth," the source stressing the King believes that the strength and solidarity of the "internal front" is the bases of moving forward.
"His Majesty highly regards the role of tribal sheikhs and dignitaries, and the nation's youth and tribes, in the cities, villages, Badia, and refugee camps in building Jordan and defending its accomplishments and capabilities," the source added.
In regards to the article's attribution of the King's statements on state leaders, including Turkish Prime Minister, Egypt and Syria's presidents, the source noted that Jordan holds strong and unique relationships with such neighboring and friendly states, where respect and mutual trust prevails, and stressed the keenness to progress such relations in all aspects through continuous coordination with its leaders, "to whom the King holds utmost respect and regard."
The Royal Court noted in this regard to the King's recent "successful" trip to Turkey, and the continuous coordination and consultation between King Abdullah and the Egyptian leadership regarding various Arab and regional issues.
"Jordan, with the awareness of its people and wisdom of its leadership, with move forward in protecting its national unity, and engraining comprehensive reforms towards a promising future for all its citizens," the source added.
The Royal Court stressed the importance of "accuracy" in distinguishing between what is "King's talk," and what is the author's analysis and personal opinions.
The Atlantic article by its national correspondent Jeffrey Goldberg was published on its website on March 18, and is set to be published in The Atlantic's April print edition.
The New York Times published segments of the article on Monday, highlighting alleged statements attributed to King Abdullah by The Atlantic's correspondent, describing Egyptian president Mohammad Morsi as "having no depth," and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as an "authoritarian who views democracy as a bus ride "Once I get to my stop, I am getting off."
The King is reported to have said that "The monarchy is going to change," citing that His Son, Crown Prince Hussein, will preside over a "Western-style democracy with a constitutional monarchy, and not the position of Bashar today," in reference to Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.
Royal Court responds to King's The Atlantic interview