Jordan refused its airspace and borders for US attack
Jordan, Politics, 2/2/1998

Jordan refused to allow its airspace to be used by any parties if the crisis between Iraq and the US escalates and Washington resorts to military action, an authorized governmental source reported.

"Jordan's, airspace and surface, are closed for all those sides who plan to launch attacks against each other across the Jordanian atmosphere and surface," the source, who preferred anonymity, said. Jordan's attitude is clear; it will not permit its air to be used by any airplanes, he added.

The Jordanian - Israeli peace accord did not include Jordanian responsibility concerning preventing air attacks against Israel via its airspace. But Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu two weeks ago stated that he feared "a military aggression against Israel from the East." Jordan's government has taken "immediate procedures" in case the military option is adopted, a governmental source reported.

He refused to reveal those measures.

Minister of Energy and the Mineral Wealth Mohammed Saleh al-Hourani headed a meeting attended by the secretary-general of the ministry, the director general of the Jordanian Oil Refinery Company and the director general of the National Oil Company.

The attendees discussed methods of providing the kingdom with oil derivatives from other Arab countries if Iraq is attacked.

The meeting considered several measures, but it has not made any decisions, the source added. There was a second meeting planned for today.

The meeting is expected to consider the quantity of oil to be imported into Jordan, he added. The prices were also be considered, he said.

Jordan imports 80,000 barrels of oil from Iraq per day.

Previous Stories:
  The fundamental problems facing the Arab states   (1/31/1998)
  Jordanian economy would face huge losses if US attacks Iraq   (1/31/1998)
  Gulf states wait and see as oil prices tumble   (1/31/1998)

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