Posted on 07/01/2004 9:26:15 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Jordan offers to send troops to Iraq
LONDON - Jordan's King Abdullah II said on Thursday that Jordan is willing to send troops to Iraq, potentially becoming the first Arab state to do so, if they are requested by the new Iraqi interim government.
He said in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corp television programme Newsnight: 'Now there is an Iraqi interim government and a fully independent process very soon in Iraq, I presume that if the Iraqis ask us for help directly it would be very difficult for us to say no.
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'Our message to the President or the Prime Minister, is tell us what you want, tell us how we can help and you have 110 per cent support from us.
'If we don't stand with them, if they fail, then we all pay the price.'
The statement marked a major shift in Jordan's policy since the US-led coalition handed power in Iraq over to Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's interim government. The king had initially refused to send troops.
He said he had not discussed the issue of sending troops with the new Iraqi government.
'I would feel that we are not the right people, but at the end of the day if there is something we can provide, a service to the future of Iraqis, then we'll definitely study that proposal,' he said in the interview conducted in London.
There was no immediate reaction to King Abdullah's comments, which will likely be welcomed by the US government. It was unclear if the Iraqis would take the kind up on his offer.
King Abdullah said: 'I feel optimistic we have strong, courageous leaders in Iraq ... these are good, top courageous people but the challenges that face them on security is going to be their major problem and they are going to need everybody's help.'
Iraq borders both Jordan, which maintains close relations with the United States, and Syria, which staunchly opposed the US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq. -- AP
This is very huge..
FYI
abdullah has "gotten it" for a long time.
Jordan has treaty and relationship with Israel that is actually been pretty stable. They also coordinate with Israel on security issues, and of course, WATER.
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