Posted on 05/19/2005 10:02:45 AM PDT by jmc1969
BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Jordan's King Abdullah revealed Thursday that Iraq's former Baath regime had refused to deport Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, blamed for ongoing terrorism in Iraq.
Speaking in an interview with Saudi daily al-Hayat, Abdullah said Zarqawi, a Jordanian, is well entrenched in Iraq and that "he and terrorists like him thrive in such places where security and stability are non-existent."
Abdullah said Jordan was the first target for Zarqawi before he found safe haven in Iraq.
"Since Zarqawi entered Iraq before the fall of the former regime we have been trying to have him deported back to Jordan for trial, but our efforts were in vain," Abdullah added.
(Excerpt) Read more at wpherald.com ...
They can have his corpse...
Is it just me or does jordan seem like the LEAST crazy muslim country there?
Jordan is one of the more calmer Muslim countries, imho.
King Abdullah spent a lot of time in the USA as a youngster. His mother is british or American I think. Syria could be much the same way if Assad weren't a coward.
This is probably true, but Abdullah must admit that sometimes a kick in the butt (Iraq) helps to hurry it along.
While I strongly doubt the Syrian government is working with Zarqawi...I can see how a naive bunch of Syrian politicans can think they are totally clean and believe that they have absolute control of their country. This character is walking around in Syria...safe and sound...and he will continue to do so. I seriously that we will ever be able to track him down or take him from within Syria. And the interesting thing is that Saudi Arabia and Syria are currently at odds over various things. Whoever is the enemy of Saudri Arabia...might actually a friend of the US...simply my honest observation.
Though, he won't always remain in Syria (like a cockroach, it isn't in his nature) - Obviously are best bet is to get him once he filters back into Iraq -
But, we'll get'em. One of these days.
Perhaps a little matter of not being able to find him and not having him in custody is the problem?
Just a thought.
Jordan's stability can be attributed to the close relationshio its royal family has enjoyed with Great Britain in the post-colonial era. King Abdullah, in fact, is British on his mother's side -- and his upbringing is clearly evident in his British accent.
I agree with King Abdullah on that point. In fact, his comment is quite fascinating in that it is identical to what some literary giants from the American South (William Faulkner and Walker Percy, in particular) have said about the Civil War and Reconstruction eras in the 19th century. Both of these gentlemen have made a compelling case that blacks in the United States would have been far better off in the 20th century if the Civil War hadn't been fought in the 19th.
His mother is British; his step-mom is American.
I also agree with him ... my point was simply that I doubt we would be hearing any talk about reform if Iraq had not been confronted.
Odd that this story comes out the same day as his demand for Israel to pull out of the West Bank or risk their peace process.
You're probably right, but keep in mind that some of these democratic movements in the Middle East date back to before the Iraq war -- especially in Jordan itself, which has been undergoing some fundamental changes in its government structure for years.
After all, Zarqawi is RELIGIOUS and Saddam was SECULAR!
So why would he have protected him? There's no way. Therefore, this must be untrue.
No doubt Z was plotting from afar against the Jordanian establishment prior to Saddam's demise. He probably still is, but not as effectively. Hey, how about all those spec ops troops being cross trained between Jordan and Iraq of late? Hmmmmm .... "wanted, dead or alive ...." ;)
King Hussein.
He was the reason.
He was a reformed man.
I was sad when he died.
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