Jordan, Yemen Offer Troops for Iraq in Major Policy Shift

NewsMax ^ | 7/3/04 | Carl Limbacher

[wagglebee]

AMMAN, Jordan - Jordan and Yemen offered troops to Iraq - a major policy shift that could be an attempt to encourage other Arab and Muslim nations to help the country's new U.S.-backed government restore security.

But the risks are considerable if Jordan and Yemen are seen taking up arms against the Iraqis, or if Iraq's neighbors, like Turkey and Iran, which already have influence or ambitions in that country, follow their lead and offer forces.

Iraq's new authorities have been opposed to neighboring states, particularly Iran, Turkey and Syria, sending in troops. But the offers from Iraq's western neighbor, Jordan, and Yemen will be welcome in the United States, which has led a coalition of 33 countries - none of them Arab - in trying to secure postwar Iraq. In Britain, Jordan's King Abdullah II said he was willing to send troops to Iraq. It was unclear what role Jordanian troops would serve, but Jordan has offered to train Iraqi soldiers and police in Jordan.

"I presume that if the Iraqis ask us for help directly, it would be very difficult for us to say no," Abdullah told the British Broadcasting Corp. on Thursday. "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 percent support from us."

Yemen announced Friday that it was willing to send peacekeepers to Iraq, but only if they were part of a U.N.-controlled force.

However, Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid Bayati told the BBC on Friday that the Jordanian proposal was likely to be rejected. Bayati said Iraq would be unlikely to accept troops from countries on its border because of concerns that they have interests in Iraq which could complicate the security situation.

It was unclear how Iraq would respond to the offer from Yemen. Jordanian political analyst Labib Kamhawi said Jordan, like other Arab states, initially refused to send troops to Iraq, but the U.S.-led coalition's transfer of sovereignty to Iraq's interim government "requires a local facade, which means that Arab and Muslim contribution is now a top priority."

Jordan is a moderate Arab state with strong ties to Washington. It also enjoyed close relations with Saddam Hussein's regime, which supplied oil for cash-strapped Jordan.

[wagglebee]

I guess the other Arabs are starting to understand what Bush meant when he said: "If you are not with us, you are against us." Maybe the French should take note.

[MikefromOhio]

France is withering on the vine....I was watching Bloomberg and their unemployment rate is something like 10 1/2% or so.....out of sight, hopefully eventually out of mind, especially if Germany decides to toss an Army or two around again....