ABSTRACT
The very convening of the summit was an important boost for Jordanian prestige and an indication of King Husayn's much improved status in the Arab world. Jordan did seem to be making certain inroads in the West Bank and Gaza. These, however, did not have a lasting effect and were swept away by the Palestinian uprising that broke out in December. During 1987 Jordan continued to contend with recession, which had been induced mainly by the economic slump in the Arab oil-producing countries and the subsequent sharp decline in Arab aid. Economic growth rates had dropped sharply in the early 1980s. Maintaining the country's economic equilibrium with much reduced levels of Arab aid led not only to increased borrowing but also to diminishing reserves of foreign currency. The government took measures to reduce the numbers of university graduates, particularly in medicine and engineering.
