Jordan to let US troops use bases for war on Iraq

The Times (U.K.) ^ | 07/11/2002 | Richard Beestonn and Rana Sabbagh

[Pokey78]

JORDAN has agreed to allow US troops to use bases on its soil in preparation for a possible American military attack against Iraq.

That may be just the first step towards a deeper involvement for Jordan, which is not only one of America’s strongest Arab allies but also strategically located between Iraq and Israel. Comparisons are being made with Pakistan, which allowed US special forces to operate from its territory but denied their existence.

King Abdullah has been assured by Washington that no action will be taken this year, but Administration officials have hinted heavily that an offensive could be launched early next year.

Despite stringent denials by the Jordanian authorities that US forces will be permitted to use their territory for future operations against Baghdad, Western diplomats have told The Times that King Abdullah has consented to a limited US presence involved in defensive and humanitarian operations.

“Jordan wants to remain firmly on the fence in any conflict between America and Iraq,” one diplomat said. “But that is looking increasingly difficult. It has agreed to allow a US-manned radar station and American search and rescue teams to operate out of the country to pick up US pilots.”

The Pentagon has reportedly planned a three-pronged attack on Iraq from Turkey in the north, Kuwait in the south and Jordan in the west.

Refurbishment of the Muwafaq Salti Air Force Base in Azraq, 40 miles northeast of the capital Amman, and the nearby Mafraq Air Force Base, has been going on for months.

The bases would be ideally situated for future special forces operations against Iraq to eliminate the threat from Scud missiles aimed at Israel.

King Abdullah, who is due to hold talks with President Bush this month, will have to balance strong anti-American feeling in his country against his vital links with the West.

The US is an important aid donor to Jordan, and Washington’s annual military and economic assistance is expected to increase by $100 million (£64 million) to $325 million this year.

Diplomats said Washington recently approved the sale to Jordan of a state-of-the-art radar system capable of monitoring all Iraqi military moves.

But any imminent attack on Iraq could have catastrophic economic consequences for its smaller neighbour. Iraq was Jordan’s largest foreign trade partner last year, importing Jordanian goods worth about £500 million.

Resource-poor Jordan also receives its full daily needs of 90,000 barrels of Iraqi oil at preferential prices under a deal approved by the United Nations.

[demlosers]

Five posts is this: Title: Jordan rejects US invasion plan

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

So whom is right?

[AmericanInTokyo]

When did this article appear? Isn't the Times a daily?

[demlosers]

correction:
Five posts down is this: Title: Jordan rejects US invasion plan

[Pokey78]

Tomorrow's edition (07/11). My finger slipped.

[Pokey78]

I've asked admin to change the date.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Jordan to let US troops use bases for war on Iraq

Or

Jordan Rejects US Invasion Plan (Iraq)

The Deceit to Prosper Tour continues...

[Pokey78]

Thank you!

[RCW2001]

Jordan Times

'Jordan will not help US in Iraq campaign'
AMMAN (R) — The government has stressed Jordan would not allow US troops to be stationed on its territory to mount any attack on Iraq. “Jordan rejects the principle of interfering in the internal affairs of its brothers under any justification,” Minister of State for Political Affairs and Minister of Information and government spokesperson Mohammad Adwan told Jordan-based foreign correspondents on Monday night. “We refuse to be a launching-pad or arena for any act against our brotherly state Iraq or to use our soil and airspace to attain this objective,” Adwan said. He was responding to foreign newspaper reports that Washington already has troops in Jordanian bases as part of secret military plans to attack Baghdad. US President George W. Bush on Monday opened wide the door to possible military action against Iraq, saying the United States would use all tools available to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher called in Iraqi Ambassador Sabah Yassin on Sunday to assure him the Kingdom respected Iraq's sovereignty. Adwan said His Majesty King Abdullah had warned Bush and other world leaders in recent visits of the consequences for regional stability in case of an attack on Iraq. Wednesday, July 10, 2002

[Libertarianize the GOP]

fyi

[justshe]

Looks like The Times--YES (UK) and The Telegraph--NO (UK) are having their own little war, doesn't it?

Gives you SUCH faith in the press! Not.

[Torie]

The Western diplomats that told The Times that should be ferret out and cashiered. That this leaked out is a disgrace.

[Torie]

Yep, that is what they have to say publically. This leak may curdle the milk, or cream, or whatever it is.

[jwalsh07]

I will get back to you on the Dachle/Bush/SEC deal as soon as I have given it the thought it deserves.

One point of agreement though is that options should most definitely be expensed IMHO.

[RightWhale]

any imminent attack on Iraq could have catastrophic economic consequences for its smaller neighbour

If it's economic concerns, Jordan shouldn't worry. With Iraq finally joining the modern world the whole region has a good chance of economic development and improvement. The post-Saddam Iraq should have even more trade ties with Jordan.

[Torie]

Well one problem with options, is that the amount of the expense varies with the Scholes/Black option formula calculation of their value, which changes as the stock price and volatility varies. To include them on the balance sheet will cause more volatility in earnings. I am not sure of the answer on this one, but it should all be disclosed in footnotes. A LOT more should be disclosed than is currently in financial statement footnotes, and anything that has a substantive economic impact should be put there even if somehow GAAP, which also needs an overhaul, doesn't rope it in. The footnotes should be listed in order of importance, and highly material ones put in bold and large print. The balance sheet line items potentially impacted by the material footnotes should have a CAUTION notation.

[Arkinsaw]

If it's economic concerns, Jordan shouldn't worry. With Iraq finally joining the modern world the whole region has a good chance of economic development and improvement. The post-Saddam Iraq should have even more trade ties with Jordan.

Provided that Saddam does not burn down the house when he goes, which in my opinion, is mighty likely.

[RightWhale]

It might be prudent to assume he will torch his own oilfields as a final gesture. Maybe some other general destruction as well. Iraq will be an investment center for reconstruction and new construction. Let's see how the management of such funds will be, might be interesting.

[Arkinsaw]

I would bet that he would do more than that. If Saddam does all that he is capable of then the reconstruction of Iraq might be a mighty big job.

[blam]

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Jordan Rejects US Invasion Plan