May 1, 2006 11:04 pm US/Central
Daley Learns From Jordan's Tight Security
by Jay Levine
AMMAN, Jordan (CBS) ―
Mayor Daley is on a fact-finding mission to help keep Chicago safe from terrorists.
As CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports, Mayor Daley and the Chicago delegation are being applauded for helping build bridges of understanding with Jordan.
Mayor Daley and the Chicago delegation are being applauded for helping build bridges of understanding. They're also being welcomed by Jordanians anxious to reciprocate.
Traditional Jordanian folk dancers welcomed Daley to a reception hosted by the mayor of Amman Monday night. There were speeches, toasts and an exchange of gifts.
Amman's mayor is referred to as "your Excellency." There was no such title for Daley, but he did get an "abaya," the Arabic robe signifying age, wisdom, and respect. He seemed delighted.
Earlier Monday night, during the call to prayer, Daley visited the huge mosque dedicated to Jordan's first king and heard of the post-911 declaration made here by moderate Arab rulers denouncing terrorism by Muslim extremists.
It didn't stop terrorists from striking here last November, at three western hotels, but the reaction was much like ours.
"In many ways, their response was similar to what happened in America after Sept. 11. They united behind their leadership," said David Hale, U.S. Ambassador to Jordan.
David Hale is a state department veteran. This is his second term here. He welcomed the Chicago delegation and what they were doing here.
"I think we've all learned since Sept. 11 that the health and stability of this part of the world immediately impacts the health and stability of our part of the world," Hale said. "And so again, that why it's so nice to have from the heartland of America and from Chicago a mayor and a leadership that's reaching out to this part of the world."
Despite having to travel by tightly guarded motorcade, Daley experienced tight security at all western hotels. He also visited an embassy that's a virtual fortress. But the mayor understood.
"In this part of the world, especially today, Jordan has been dealing with this issue because there are so many borders," Daley said. They have to deal with the issue completely different."
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