Newsletter No. 334
News-Analysis
July 20, 2006

 

ON THE ROAD WITH KOIZUMI AND KING ABDALLAH

Photo: Koizumi and King Abdallah Goof Off in the Car
Source: Kantei

Just after his visit to Israel and Palestine, Prime Minister Koizumi also paid a short visit to King Abdallah of Jordan in Aqaba from the 13th to the 15th. The new Arab-Israeli crisis was escalating seriously at that time, and the King was reported as saying, “It may be exaggeration, but (the current situation) appears close to the one on the eve of the 1967 Middle East war.”
During the visit, Koizumi announced US$16 million in new aid for Jordan, and made the following public comments: "The stability of Jordan is very important for the stability of the Middle East. I hope the assistance will help Jordan pursue economic and social reforms of the country."

Koizumi and the young King also had a little time to goof off together. At one point, King Abdallah went behind the wheel of a car and chauffeured Koizumi around. Now that Koizumi is in his final weeks as Prime Minister, he seems determined to enjoy himself all the more.

A relevant MOFA announcement is posted below.

Project for Improvement of the Water Supply System for the Zarqa District
July 14, 2006

The Government of Japan has extended to the Government of Jordan a grant of up to Five Hundred and Eleven Million Japanese Yen (511,000,000 yen), approximately Three Million One Hundred and Forty Six Thousand JD (3,146,000 JD) at the current exchange rate, for part of the Project for Improvement of the Water Supply System for Zarqa District (Phase II). The total amount of the entire project is about Two Billion and Three Hundred Million Japanese Yen (2,300,000,000 yen), approximately Fourteen Million One Hundred and Sixty Thousand JD (14,160,000 JD).

The signing ceremony of the grant was held in Aqaba on Friday 14 July after the expanded meeting between H.E. Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan and H.E. Dr. Marouf Al Bakhit, Prime Minister of Jordan. The Notes to this effect were exchanged between H.E. Mr. Shigenobu Kato, Ambassador of Japan and H.E. Mrs. Suhair Al-Ali, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation. It was especially honoured by the esteemed presence of both countries’ Prime Ministers, H.E. Mr. Koizumi and H.E. Dr. Al Bakhit.

This project is the second phase of the "Project for Improvement of the Water Supply System for the Zarqa District", which was implemented in FY 2002 and 2003 targeting the areas of east of Zarqa city and Ruseifa municipality. The total amount of 02-03 Project was One Billion Seven Hundred and Twenty One Million Japanese Yen (1,721,000,000 yen), approximately Ten Million and Six Hundred Thousand JD (10,600,000JD).

The Phase II of the Project was planned for the areas close to these, in order to bring about more efficient effect upon whole Zarqa governorate. The Phase II, which is divided into three terms, aims at improving water supply conditions, increasing actual water availability through reduction in the leakage amount by distributing water at an appropriate water supply pressure, and fair water distribution through optimum water distribution management in west of Zarqa city, Hashmeyeh municipality, and Sukhna municipality. The Japanese Government has contributed further supply of efficient water in all over Jordan and has supported reducing the leakage amount by distributing water.

The Government of Japan is pleased to be part of this venture in support of water needs in various ways, and welcomes the opportunity to work along with the Government of Jordan on possible future projects, all with a view of strengthening the bonds of friendship and mutual cooperation which exist between the two countries.