‘Repression in Jordan’

Your editorial “Repression in Jordan” (May 3), branding Jordan as a “repressive society” simply because its government decided to withdraw the press credentials of the NBC correspondent in Amman, is totally unwarranted. The measure was an isolated action, the first of its kind taken by the Jordanian authorities against a foreign correspondent--and decided upon only after several incidents had left them with no other choice.

To convey, without valid reason, such a negative image of Jordan to your readers is a most regrettable distortion of reality. Jordan does function as a constitutional democracy. And while King Hussein is more than a figurehead--he has, in fact, been actively involved in building his country’s stability and prosperity for 36 years--he is also known worldwide for his progressive leadership and deep commitment to democratic principles.

Reaction to criticism is certainly justified when that criticism is unfounded, misrepresents the truth and can possibly jeopardize a nation’s interests. The stories filed by the NBC correspondent from Amman gave a grossly false picture of Jordan’s “political culture,” based as they were on inadequate knowledge and misinformation.

No one can deny that national security in Jordan, especially during this highly sensitive period of political developments in the region, is a top priority. And its leadership knows, as President John F. Kennedy once remarked, that the freedoms democracy provides cannot be defended “without restraints imposed by the very freedoms we seek to protect.” In practice, all democracies heed this wisdom, including Jordan.

AKRAM Z. BARAKAT

Minister, Press and Information

Embassy of Jordan

Washington, D.C.