Newsletter No. 589
News-Analysis
April 28, 2007

 

The following newsletter has been contributed by Keely Fahoum (Shingetsu Member No. 112). Fahoum is based at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey.

JAPAN’S AID AND JORDAN’S CONTINUED DEPENDENCY

The following article reports Japan's recent grant of US$22 million for Jordanian "civil defense" programs and equipment to support them. Jordanian representatives lauded Japan's efforts to enhance improvements in the areas of social and economic development and provided both monetary and physical resources to aid in the prevention, recovery and improvement of Jordanian society in the case of emergencies or natural disasters. The monetary aid, in addition to the previous US$321 million granted (US$60 million in loans) to Jordan for civil defense programs, works in tandem with the technical aid provided by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This will be the third time Japan has granted aid to Jordan for civil defense purposes. Japan's recurring monetary grants to Jordan have received much publicity within the last year and highlight Jordan's heavy dependence on foreign aid and problems providing emergency equipment and safety services to its citizens. Jordan's focus on civil and social services comes almost a year after the projected completion of Jordan's "Third Generation of Reforms," which was part of the Social and Economic Transformation Program (SETP) targeting educational, legislative, administrative, financial and judicial areas in the Jordanian economy.

Japan Grants US$22 Million to Finance Civil Defense Centers in Jordan
Kuwait News Agency

KUNA -- Japan granted Jordan US$22 million to finance the "Developing of Jordan's Civil Defense Appliances" project.

Minister of Planning Suheir Al-Ali told reporters on the sidelines of the exchange of notes ceremony that the grant will help provide the General Directorate of Civil Defense with the necessary equipment and vehicles in order to deal with natural disasters, severe weather conditions, fires, as well as other unprecedented accidents. Al-Ali said this grant reflects Japan’s keenness to continue its support to Jordan throughout its development process, which has enabled Jordan to sustain its reform momentum and achieve a favorable performance in many socio-economic spheres.

In this respect she noted that Japan previously provided Jordan with two grants for a total of US$15 million for the same cause.

The Jordan News Agency, Petra, said Japan's Ambassador to Jordan, Shigenobu Kato, referred to the exceptional relations that Japan and Jordan enjoy. He also noted that this grant will help the General Directorate of Civil Defense to better address the challenges of protecting Jordanian citizens and reducing damage that may result from accidents, fires, and natural disasters.

Since 1999, Japan has provided Jordan with assistance worth US$321 million, of which US$60 million were offered as a loan, in addition to the technical assistance program that is managed by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).