Jordan breaks ranks for US-occupied Iraq

[Aidoneus]

Jordan breaks ranks for US-occupied Iraq
Wednesday 01 October 2003, 11:13 Makka Time, 8:13 GMT

Jordan has earned praise from America after becoming the first Arab state to offer direct help to US-occupied Iraq.

King Abd Allah's country has pledged to train Iraqi soldiers and police, the first such promise for post-war Iraq from an Arab or Muslim state.

Despite pressure and the lure of incentives all Muslim and Arab nations have so far resisted efforts to give direct help to occupied Iraq.

Although some Arab and Muslim companies will regard the offer as a craven act, America has heaped praise on Jordan for its "excellent contribution" to stabilisation and reconstruction efforts.

--snip--

http://english.aljazeera.net/Articles/News/GlobalNews/Jordan+breaks+ranks+for+US-occupied+Iraq.htm

[dbt]

1. God Save The King

How is this going to play among Muslim countries?

:scared:
dbt

[ablbodyed]

4. How is it going to play in Jordan?.....

The majority of Jordan's population is Palestinian, andeven more scary, far more that 50% is under the age of 20. We all know how easy it is to co-opt youth into radical position. The Jordanians have to be VERY careful. It's a brave, though foolish move by the King. I met King Hussein when I was at Georgetown (same time as Bill!!!)

[saigon68]

5. He's apparently easy to bribe

Saw him on TV wearing jeans, riding a Harley. Typical spoiled rich brat. The forces of time and people's hated some day will consume him, like a leaf in the fire.

[sistersofmercy]

7. Queen Rania, his wife, is Palestinian.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Jordan is not sending troops to Iraq

Jordan's plan is to have Iraqi policemen brought to the Kingdom to undergo training before returning them to Iraq.

[Aidoneus]

3. that is true

perhaps to take them into Maan for the same sort of humanitarian techniques the King's security forces have..

it's a baby step for the King to take (there are worse things he could do to endorse the occupation), but one that probably won't be received well.

[cap]

6. a word on the king's behalf...

a large portion of the Jordanian economy is dependent on trade with Iraq. If Jordan doesn't do what BushCo wants they will get hammered big time. He's forced into this.