A border crossing opened between Iraq and Syria for trade

One member of the former Iraqi opposition in exile Mashaan al-Jabbouri and the leaders of the Iraqi al-Watan ( homeland) party yesterday opened one border crossing between Syria and Iraq for "trade and commodity."

Al-Jabbouri said from Damascus he had come to the Syrian capital on Saturday through this crossing. No information was given from the Syrian authorities on reopening al-Yarubeyah crossing the "Farthest from the Syrian capital, for traders." This was since Syria's announcement on April 21 of the need that Iraqis have to get an entry visa to its lands. A measure which was not the case under the toppled regime of Saddam Hussein.

Al-Jabbouri, whose party was represented in four members at the municipal council in al-Musil elected on May 5th said "our Syrian brothers responded to our request to continue relations between the Iraqi and Syrian people and agreed to open this crossing for traders and commodities." He explained the "Iraqi trader has to get from the specialized Iraqi sides a document stating that his travel to Syria is for trade."

Al-Jabbouri stressed that the " American military ruler for north-west Iraq Gen. David Batrous issued a written decision to open Rabe'a crossing at the Iraqi side facing al-Yarubeyah crossing for the same purpose."