* We will have to wait and see what the official investigation into the cause of the bread riots in southern Jordan will uncover. Already the government has made charges that elements sympathetic to Iraq were indeed behind the initial spark that abused public feelings and sentiments in the wake of the government's decision to raise the price of bread.
But while law and order appear to have been restored in the south and those responsible for the destruction of property are being sought to stand trial, we should not forget that a political crisis still looms in the capital between the Lower House and the government.
With the dissolution of the extraordinary session of Parliament, the deputies have now lost their chance to bring pressure to bear on Prime Minister Abdel Karim Kabariti. If we still remember, the Lower House threw out of the window recommendations adopted by a special House committee to alter government policy on bread subsidies, in effect giving its blessing to the bread increase.
But the political crisis won't just go away for Mr Kabariti. What had started as a live and let live agreement between the cunning Mr Kabariti and the opposition deputies, including the Islamists-although most voted against him in the confidence session-has now turned into a live and let die vendetta.
With the 11 opposition parties choosing to close the door for any possible compromise, one can only expect the worst if and when Parliament meets for its next ordinary session. Mr Kabariti has stated that he does not wish to resign and that he was satisfied with his government's performance. Only God knows what the man is thinking about now, but he must feel frustrated and bitter about the way things have turned out. Instead of a white revolution he will now be remembered for the bread riots. His Camelot never saw the light of day. He now has to prepare for an ensuing confrontation and we hate to say it, but it looks as if the future of Jordanian democracy now hinges on the outcome of that confrontation.
This is the time when the wise leadership of His Majesty the King comes into play. He has set the rules and traditions for dialogue and shura. These traditions have not been adhered to in the latest crisis. Both sides may want to accept that there is a lesson to be taught here-that is if both sides wish to compromise!
* Among the casualties of the two-day riots in southern Jordan was the official government-run media. For the duration of the crisis, radio and television were absent from the center of events. Worried citizens had to turn to foreign media for up-to-date developments in the south while the official media limited its coverage to brief government statements and official reaction. While one would not have expected television and radio to sensationalize or incite, the least that the official media could have done was to keep citizens abreast with latest developments rather than allowing them to turn to Radio Monte Carlo, BBC Arabic Service or Radio Israel in Arabic.
The official media, like the government, was caught unaware and while many Jordanians saw scenes of the riots and destruction on neighboring TV stations or via satellite, Jordan Television took its time before showing scenes of the aftermath. Radio and TV also failed to convey to viewers what most had already known, that a political crisis was brewing with the opposition parties calling for the government's resignation.
Such lack of a clear editorial policy enhanced the sense of confusion that many felt in the wake of the crisis. The failure of the official media in keeping its viewers informed is classic in the Arab world where government-run media becomes claustrophobic in the midst of an internal crisis. Even Minister of Information Dr Marwan Muasher press conferences were not aired in full, leaving citizens to speculate.
Three days after the riots and the army's control of Kerak, JTV's News at Eight bulletin gave sketchy and ambiguous coverage of news failing to mention, for example, that the city was still under curfew.
Such a failure coincided with a new look for the eight o'clock news bulletin with new music signature and a background showing flickering TV screens and seemingly busy editors. Unfortunately, the quality of the newscast was no equal for the new flashy look.
The official media could have played a positive role in all this. It could have focused people's attention on the destruction that the rioters had inflicted on their city and on public property. It could have proved itself as a national media, a public trust, by going to the people and showing that what had taken place in Kerak and other cities in the south is not approved by the majority of Jordanians regardless of whether they support the government's actions or not. That is a democracy, the channels of communications, including those of radio and television, are open for constructive dialogue at all levels. It could have proved that Jordanians condemn acts of violence and destruction of public and private property and that what happened in Kerak and elsewhere is really the work of few inciters who were using a legitimate cause of grievance to their interests.