Arab states can't accept US bases in Iraq
Regional-Iraq, Politics, 4/22/2003

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said the Arab countries could not accept establishment of permanent American bases in Iraq.

In a joint press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Masher, the Arab League chief said the Arab countries would discuss and consult on reports purporting that the United States intends to set up four permanent military bases in Iraq.

He said consultations among the Arab countries must yield a unified Arab stance towards the American plan.

Moussa called for withdrawal of American and British troops from Iraq and forming an Iraqi government chosen by the Iraqi people as soon as possible.

Moussa said the aim of his Arab tour which would also take him to Syria was to discuss developments of the Iraqi crisis and future of the joint Arab action.

Asked about accusations that the Arab League stood hand-tied during the Iraqi crisis, Moussa said the Security Council which was entrusted with realizing peace failed to prevent war.

Queried by MENA correspondent in Amman on his intention to step down, moussa said it is important now to overcome the challenges the Arab nation is facing.

Meanwhile, Muasher called for differentiation between recognizing and dealing with the administration which will run Iraq.

He stressed the importance of dealing with any new administration in Iraq to protect the interests of the Jordanian ad Iraqi peoples.

The Jordanian Foreign Minister called for accelerating formation of an elected government in Iraq to ensure withdrawal of all American troops from the Iraqi territories.

On the presence of American bases in Iraq, Muasher said his country rejects setting up such bases in Iraq. He said he did not discus with Moussa the issue of sending Arab troops to Iraq.

Previous Stories:
  Meeting of foreign ministers of countries neighboring Iraq in Riyadh   (4/19/2003)
  Arab League will not deal with a non-Iraqi administration   (4/18/2003)
  UNESCO sets up fund to protect Iraqi cultural legacy   (4/18/2003)

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