Jordan Rejects US Invasion Plan (Iraq)

The Telegraph (Uk) ^ | 7-11-2002 | Toby Harnden

[blam]

Jordan rejects US invasion plan

By Toby Harnden in Washington
(Filed: 11/07/2002)

Jordan yesterday rejected American suggestions that it could be used as a base for an invasion of Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein.

Mohammad Affash Adwan, the information minister, said: "We will not allow our land and our skies to be used as a launching pad for any foreign troops to mount an attack on Iraq.

"Jordan rejects the principle of interfering in the internal affairs of any brotherly Arab country under any justification. We are against any strike against Iraq and we believe that the Iraqi problem can only be resolved through dialogue between Iraq and the United Nations."

However, the Bush administration remained confident that Jordan could be persuaded to participate.

The use of Jordan, where the population is mainly Palestinian, could be crucial in protecting Israel against missile attack from Iraq. King Abdullah of Jordan is to meet President George W Bush in Washington this month.

[LibWhacker]

However, the Bush administration remained confident that Jordan could be persuaded to participate.

Me too -- when Dubya looks Abdullah square in the eye and says, "We're not asking, pal. We're telling. Stand aside or we'll roll over you like a 60-ton Abrams tank over a bag of doughnuts."