Jordan: Iraqi crisis needs to be defused quickly
Jordan-Iraq, International, 2/16/1998

King Hussein of Jordan received the Iraqi minister of foreign affairs, Mohammed Said al-Sahaf Sunday evening.They discussed the crisis between the Iraqi government and the UN Security Council and the developments related to it.

The king reviewed with the Iraqi foreign minister the initiatives on the table to solve the crisis via diplomatic efforts. King Hussein was informed by the Iraqi minister about the nature of those initiatives and Saddam Hussein's attitude towards them.

The king confirmed the necessity of containing the crisis and avoiding Iraq and the region the disastrous consequences of such a war that would increase the suffering of the Iraqi people, "it will not bring about but more catastrophe for the region." the king said. "Iraq must comply fully with the UN Security Council resolutions" to avoid suffering the disastrous consequences of the expected military strike, he added.

The crisis should be dealt with wisely and seriously, he said, "The current chance to solve the crisis peacefully must not be exhausted."

Sahaf announced that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will arrive in Baghdad on Wednesday within the diplomatic efforts.

King Hussein on Sunday spoke on the telephone with Annan on the Iraqi crisis and the efforts underway to contain it and to spare Iraq a military strike. The king said the people of the region are waiting for Annan's forthcoming visit to the region and its expected results to arrive at a diplomatic settlement for the crisis.

For his part, Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan who met with Sahaf separately said "The international community should do more to find a diplomatic resolution for the Iraqi crisis with the UN," adding that "Little time remains to defuse the crisis," he reiterated.

"There are no more than a few days remaining to realize a peaceful resolution via political methods," Crown Prince Hassan stated.

"There has been international sympathy for Iraqi people," Hassan commenting about the ban on demonstration since last Friday in Amman. Jordan banned demonstration last week to avoid public disorder, as many demonstrations in support of Iraq were expected.

The Iraqi foreign minister reviewed the Russian initiative that he described as suiting Iraq's demands and maintains their dignity and sovereignty. "Iraq will continue to work to get a diplomatic resolution," he said. The Russian proposal calls for opening all Iraqi sites for inspection, but puts a time limit on finishing the inspection work. The US has rejected this proposal so far.

Meanwhile, Jordanian Minister of Interior Nathir Rashid denied reports that Jordan has begun preparations near its borders with Iraq to receive thousands of Iraqi refugees who might try to flee the expected US air strikes against Iraq.

"The movement of trucks and civilians on Iraqi-Jordanian borders is very normal," the Jordanian minister said. "Trucks and people are easily crossing border lines between both countries," he confirmed.

Jordan had officially announced that that it would not receive refugees from Iraq and it would be forced to build up camps on its borders in coordination with international non-governmental organizations [NGOs].

Previous Stories:
  Iraq's Sahaf reiterates Iraqi inspection proposal   (2/14/1998)
  Diplomats in Russia - France - China on Iraq   (2/14/1998)
  King Hussein discusses Iraqi crisis with Egyptian, Syrian and Turkish presidents   (2/14/1998)

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