Visit of the King of Jordan
Yesterday in the Robing room of the House of Lords under murals extolling courtesy, mercy, religion, generosity and hospitality (such old fashioned virtues, so admirably non-New Labour) King Abdullah of Jordan spoke.
When his late father King Hussein wanted to marry an English woman, my late father-in-law, as British Ambassador in Amman, was worried about this. He was a great admirer of King Hussein and was concerned about the future of the monarchy there. The King, however, ignored these concerns…… and the result of the marriage is the admirable King Abdullah. When I told this story to the previous Jordanian Ambassador in London, he commented “we are all very grateful that the King declined to take your father-in-law’s advice.” Amen to that.
In the most moderate and considered times, the King warned that we now face three civil wars in the region – in Iraq, Lebanon and in Palestine. He pleaded for movement on resolving, as a priority, the Israel-Palestine conflict. He reminded us of British historic connections to the area, now so diminished under this Government.
If Tony Blair does attempt once again to play a role, at least this time he will not be sending his emissary Lord Levy, who has other things on his mind at present, for which we can all be grateful.