Washington Post: Jordan to permit US Army on its land, gets patriot batteries
Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 1/31/2003

The Washington Post reported yesterday that Jordan has taken a decision to permit the American army on its land in case of war against Iraq.

Meantime, diplomats in Amman said that Jordan will get three anti- missile Patriot missile batteries on February 6th in order to reinforce its defense in case of war against Iraq.

The Washington Post quoted a Jordanian official source as saying that members of the search-and-rescue forces of the American army will be permitted to make the preparations secretly in the kingdom's bases, and to start from there missions into Iraq. However, aid to be given by Jordan to the USA will be limited and will not include the possibility of invading Iraq via land from the Jordanian territories.

"Search-and-rescue missions would require the presence of U.S. Special Forces troops, along with helicopters and planes. One Jordanian official would not say whether the units' responsibilities could be broadened to include missions inside western Iraq. But he did not rule it out. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," he said the daily reported. "A diplomat said the number of such troops could be kept in the dozens," the Washington Post said.

Meanwhile, diplomats in Amman said the Patriot missiles will be deployed in the surrounding of the capital Amman and Irbid, 80 Km to the north of Amman. The source stressed that members of the Jordanian army started "training on the use of patriots with American military experts." Another diplomat said that other American military men will accompany the Patriots and will be stationed in the area where Patriot missiles will be deployed.

The diplomat commented that the Patriot batteries will "be returned to the USA by the end of the year at the end of the likely military operations against Iraq."

Previous Stories:
  King Abdullah hopes Iraq attack will be quick, with minimum pain   (1/27/2003)
  Abul Ragheb: Jordan will not take part in any military act against Iraq   (1/21/2003)
  Jordanian King is concerned over the Palestinian question; chances to avoid the war becomes little   (1/18/2003)

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