Jordanian ties with Iraq in trouble
Jordan-Iraq, Politics, 12/15/1997

Following the execution of four Jordanians by Iraq, King Hussein of Jordan continued his criticism of Iraq's President Saddam Hussein.

Addressing newly elected members of parliament at his Royal Court, King Hussein hit at Baghdad, saying that the Iraqi people have been suffering under sanctions for the last seven years because of the policy followed up in Iraq.

The king, in his speech, said that Iraq is "held in place by the corpses of its people." King Hussein added that Jordan, "doesn't accept bargaining when it comes to the lives of its citizens that we value so highly." He said that "if the Iraqi regime should cut its oil to be imported into Jordan, we will find other sources." Iraq is the one supplier source of oil to Jordan which imports 70 thousand barrels a day at reduced price.

The King made a comparison between two Jordanians who fought for Iraq during the Iraq-Iran war, 1980-1988, and have just been freed by Iranians after they remained in Iranian Jails for 16 years and the other four Jordanian citizens being executed by Iraq.

"It is ironic that Iran releases two Jordanians who fought for Iraq, while Iraq, itself, has chosen to execute four Jordanians," the king said. It is "a vile and odious crime" describing the execution of his subjects for smuggling car parts.

King Hussein expressed his anxiety for the fifth person sentenced to death by Iraq.

Jordanian parliamentary sources stated that Baghdad has refused a demand from the government to set free some other 140 Jordanians detained in Iraqi jails and to amend the death penalty passed by an Iraqi court on Ammar Shihab-U-Ddin on the same basis.

During their attendance at the Organization of Islamic Conference summit held in Tehran of Iran, the sources said," Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan appealed to Iraqi Vice President Taha Jazrawi to commute the last of his subjects sentence," and requested that the 140 Jordanian detainees in Iraq to be released.

The same sources added that they were jailed because of "minor crimes". The Iraqi act sparked a diplomatic crisis with Jordan. On Wednesday, Jordan decided to expel seven Iraqi diplomats off its soil and to recall its charge d'affairs in Baghdad.

Jordanian Interior Minister Nazir Rashid announced that the government is awaiting Iraq to free the 140 prisoners whom, the minister said, Iraqis promised to release. "Contacts are currently underway with Baghdad concerning the implementation of the promise," he said.

Previous Stories:
  Jordan - Iraq   (12/13/1997)
  Iraqi - Jordanian execution   (12/12/1997)
  Jordan studies its need for Iraqi oil   (12/10/1997)

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