AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, Amman :The US president, George W Bush, pledged American readiness to stand by leaders committed to reform, in a message addressed Sunday to a two-day conference in Jordan on good government in the Arab world.

‘Nations that choose the path of reform are taking steps towards greater independence, greater wealth and greater hopes for the citizens,’ Bush said in the message read out in the presence of Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

‘The United States is committed to helping nations that embrace clear standards of economic, political and social reform. The United States stands with those leaders who are committed to reform and change,’ he said.

The US under secretary for international affairs, John Taylor, who read out the message, said good governance must be home-grown and linked to economic growth.

‘Only when the push for reform comes from within does reform have a chance of succeeding,’ Taylor said.

Last week Bush, who has been pressing for reform in the region, triggered rage and annoyance for warning Iran and Syria that they must embrace democracy and chiding Egypt and Saudi Arabia for not doing enough.

The conference ‘Good Governance For Development in the Arab Countries’ is a joint initiative by Jordan and the UN Development Programme in cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The forum is being attended by representatives from 16 Arab nations, Arab League chief Amr Mussa and Western officials, including the Canadian foreign minister, Pierre Pettigrew.

Organisers said the meeting seeks to adopt a three-year plan to implement reforms in the judiciary, civil society, media, civil service, e-government, public service and public finance.

Canada’s top diplomat told the conference that his country was willing to work with countries seeking its help.

Pettigrew, on a regional tour of the Middle East, applauded last month’s Palestinian leadership election and Iraq’s landmark legislative vote.

Canada would donate 500,000 dollars ‘to support the development of trained, professional media in Iraq and other countries in the region,’ he said.

Officials from around 20 Middle Eastern and North African countries met in Morocco in December to hammer out a US plan for reform in the Arab world.