AMMAN — Aid from Saudi Arabia and the United States comprised much
of Jordan's 2007 budget.
Officials said close to 15 percent of Jordan's $6 billion budget
comprised of Saudi and U.S. aid. The Saudis were the largest provider of aid
to the Hashemite kingdom.
In a budget released by parliament on Jan. 21, Saudi aid was reported at
$560.5 million. U.S. aid was set at about $250 million, Middle East Newsline reported.
This was the first report of Saudi aid to Jordan. The State Department
has reported increasing annual military and civilian aid to Amman.
Jordan and Saudi Arabia restored relations in wake of the death of
Jordan's King Hussein in 1999. Riyad cut aid and reduced relations with
Amman in wake of the 1990 Iraqi occupation of Kuwait. Jordan was regarded as
a leading ally of Iraq.
The latest $6.1 billion budget, approved by a wide margin, marked an
increase of $1.1 billion over that in 2006. The budget envisions a 380
million dinar, or $535.2 million deficit, or 3.4 percent of the Gross
Domestic Product. In 2006, the deficit was $633.8 million.
Parliament demanded an increase in salaries and pensions, particularly
to members of the military and police. Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit pledged
to restructure wages and suspend plans to raise fuel prices.