REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE RECEPTION FOR THE IRISH COMMUNITY AND THE FRIENDS OF IRELAND
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE RECEPTION FOR THE IRISH COMMUNITY AND THE FRIENDS OF IRELAND AMMAN, 16 FEBRUARY, 2006
Dia dhíbh a cháirde. Tá an-áthas orm bheith i bhur measc i Amman inniu ar an ócáid speisialta seo. It is good to be with you in Amman on the happy and historic occasion of the first State visit by an Irish President to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Many thanks for that warm and generous welcome and a very particular thank you to Ireland’s Ambassador to Jordan, the inimitable Richard O’Brien who is our host this evening. To Richard and his team a huge thank you for this lovely occasion and for all the hard work which has been invested so willingly in this visit.
For many decades now Ireland and Jordan though geographically distant have been warm friends to one another. The mutual empathy we share derived in part from very similar historic experiences and struggles. It received a huge boost when the late King Hussein played a unique and prominent role in the launch over forty years ago of our National Television Station R.T.E. It was further strengthened in more recent years by the very successful visit to Ireland by their Majesties, King Abdullah and Queen Rania. But of course it is in and through the daily lives of the Irish Community here in Jordan that Ireland is primarily showcased to the Jordanian people. Here in the company of those men, women and children who are such effective ambassadors for Ireland and in the company of Ireland’s many friends here, I thank you for weaving such strong and enduring relationships. They enable me to come here as a virtual stranger and yet feel completely at home. Treaties, declarations and documents can define relationships between states but it is people who make and live out the friendships between countries. You open up the story of Ireland to Jordan and the story of Jordan to Ireland, promoting respectful cultural curiosity as well as cordial business and political links - all of which conduce to a peaceful, global human family at ease with diversity.
No one single reason brought the Irish to Jordan. Some of you, among them friends of mine, married into Jordanian families. Others came to further business interests or to pursue careers here in a wide variety of spheres. It has given all the Irish delegation great pride, in the various meetings and conversations these past few days to hear how greatly valued and cherished is your contribution to Jordanian life. On Tuesday last, I visited the King Hussein Cancer Centre and I know how much your support and generosity – the funds raised at last year’s St Patrick’s Day Ball - have meant to those who struggle for a quality of life and often pray for a miracle. Sometimes the miracle is simply that strangers care about one another and across the world the Irish are legendary for their love of company, their love of life and their goodness to those in need. And so it is too in Jordan.
When you come here again – to this very room - in a month’s time to celebrate our National Day your fun and camaraderie will also be raising funds for the Families and Friends Society of Persons with Disabilities. I am delighted to know you are hoping to develop a longer-term relationship between that Society and Enable Ireland – which does such valuable work at home for those who suffer intellectual disability.
I want to also acknowledge the outstanding work of Margaret, Marina, Helen, Patricia and Lylah in their support for the Society for the Physically Disadvantaged and the great encouragement you all give in organising and supporting the Irish Stand at the Christmas Bazaar – a wonderful occasion to bring a taste of Ireland to Jordan.
The commitment and dedication of our terrific Honorary Consul in Amman, Ramsey Khoury is legendary and I thank both Ramsey and his delightful wife Lisa for their generous dedication and their professionalism from which both Ireland and Jordan benefits greatly. I know that working closely with Ramsey and others is the Chairman of the Jordanian Irish Business Council – Dr. Sámi Gammouh. Dr. Sámi is a person who is always optimistic and cheerful – possibly because he is now a ‘former’ Finance Minister – and he has brought both enthusiasm and experience to the important work of the Council. I wish him every success in organising the first ever Jordanian business delegation to Ireland in May.
I have spent the last three days travelling across Jordan, tracing the footprints of its ancient past through the most spectacular landscapes. I will long recall visiting Mount Nebo and looking to the distant towers of the City of Jerusalem; of going to the Jordan River and standing at the site identified as the birthplace of Christianity. I visited the Dead Sea and reflected on a region that yearns for peace. I listened to the call to prayer from the Mosques across this land and I sat with Muslim leaders - and the representatives of other faiths – and we discussed the values that unite us. I flew over Wadi Rum and in the tranquillity and vastness of what is now a protected National Park, I remembered the fascinating Lawrence of Arabia – whose family came from Westmeath – and the gifted Irishman Peter O’Toole who gave us such a memorable performance in the film made by David Lean – of Irish heritage. I will take away so many rich memories of these days – of experiencing the old and the new – ancient Petra and modern Aqaba, such very different images of a truly wonderful and dynamic country. But above all else I will take away – and I will always cherish - the unforgettable experience of meeting the Jordanian people whose hospitality and generosity have given us such rewarding and deeply enriching days in our lives.
On behalf of Martin and myself and the entire delegation I thank each person who has contributed to the success of this State Visit – the General Manager and the staff at this hotel which has been our home for the last three days - the superb staff at the Protocol Department at the Royal Palace – the many officials from across the Jordanian Public Service and within the Municipality of the City of Amman – the Members of the Jordanian Parliament and their Officials – and the Prime Minister of Jordan and so many of his Cabinet colleagues who were generous with their time and ever gracious in extending constant courtesies to myself and the Irish Delegation, including the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform – Mr. Michael McDowell – and the Minister for Trade and Commerce – Mr. Michael Ahern.
Words of special heartfelt thanks must be addressed to two inspirational people – Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania whose hospitality and graciousness has made this visit so easy and so memorable. I look forward to welcoming them back to Ireland on a State Visit at the earliest opportunity.
Gurb fada buan sibh’s go raibh míle maith agaibh. Thank You.