After the American ambassador Mr. Jim Holtsneider reached the houses of mourning and comforted the sorrowful, I wouldn't be surprised to soon see him heading a delegation to request the hand of a bride for a friend's son or perhaps for a poor young man with no lineage, no wealth, whom dignitaries, leaders, and the wealthy refuse to follow in his entourage.
This is wonderful and I don't mind being among those who welcome him despite the anger of my friends who were provoked by the ambassador's actions under the pretext of their concern for national sovereignty.
What concept of sovereignty do dozens of writers who object to the ambassador's visits advocate?!
The ambassador represents his country as a state and represents the society of his state, and there is no harm if he wishes to get closer to the community he is working in and try to understand it, as he does not do this to recruit agents and informants.
It is clear that Mr. Ambassador wants to directly understand his country's image among the Jordanians outside the diplomatic framework and away from the polished official statements that repeat Jordan as an ally of the United States, this is on the official level but the question remains whether the Jordanian people are also allies? Does the ambassador want to ascertain this question by himself?? Does he want to improve his country's image among the people in preparation for accepting upcoming policies and projects in the entire region?
Or does he not trust the reports of those who preceded him in the position?
By all standards, I do not see in the ambassador's movements anything that violates either sovereignty or diplomatic norms as long as he represents a friendly or allied state and his movements have not been restricted as happens when there is a political crisis between two countries.
And regarding the heroes who call for respecting the state's sovereignty, is a courtesy visit and public relations by an ambassador from a country that provides a billion dollars a year in assistance to Jordan considered a sovereignty violation, or does sovereignty weaken when there is an over-reliance on foreign aid and international loans?
Gentlemen, it's not important that the American ambassador visits Jordanian homes and events but what is important is what we say in his hearing during those visits, and that we go beyond formal pleasantries and let him hear what we feel about his country's policies in the region.
We should push him towards dialogue, not just to a courtesy coffee in a house of mourning.
Finally, the American ambassador moves openly and does not sneak under the cover of darkness.
Mr. Jim, we welcome you for dialogue, coffee, and also Mansaf, as there are questions, concerns, and worries in store too
