An important event – King Hussein’s Birthday

He was a real Eastern sovereign and a Westernman to the backbone at the same time.  He studied in Great Britain, loved discos and French wine.  He was desperately courageous and calm looking dangers in the face.  He was attempted on his life more than 20 times!  In 1953 Syrians made an attempt to shoot his plane down.  In 1960 the bomb aimed at the King killed the Prime Minister.  Poisoned food was slipped onto his table, acid – into nasal drops.  There were too many attempts.

He was also a superman.  He was great at shooting, swimming, flying fighters, passenger liners, driving cars, yachts…

Besides, the King knew the worth of beau geste.  Once he bumped into Israelis in one of the Parisian pubs and left them his autograph on…the bottle of Martini.

It is worth to note that King Hussein titled one of his books as “My Job is to be King”.  He had every reason for such a title:  he was the first among Arab monarchs to keep the reins of power for so long.  Also, it is hard to find another such leader whose life was as rich in dramatic events as King Hussein’s life.

A soldier and a politician, an aristocrat and a man of modesty – he could easily wear a tuxedo and a khaki shirt.  He was a king to everybody’s taste.

Keeping to the balanced policy in foreign affairs, King Hussein became one of the most experienced and influential leaders in Middle East.  “The King of Jordan is a politician of world-wide renown”, said Margaret Thatcher. Late King of Morocco Hasan II used to express his admiration for ‘King Hussein’s self-sacrifice for the love of his people’ and for ‘his faithfulness to his principles and political creed’.