Jordan admits to hosting U.S. troops

Feb 25, 2003 - CBC

AMMAN, JORDAN - Jordan has admitted it will allow U.S. troops to be stationed within its borders during an American-led invasion of Iraq.

It is the first time the Jordanian government admitted to helping the Americans. For weeks, it has denied reports it will assist the U.S. war effort.

Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abu al-Rahgeb told Arab television the government has agreed to host several hundred U.S. soldiers.

People in Amman say large numbers of Americans began to arrive at a nearby airbase two months ago.

Public sentiment in Jordan is antiwar and anti-American, but the government has told its people the troops are there to protect Jordan, not to participate in a war against Iraq.

"To be on the side of the Americans is not popular at all with the population. The people here feel the Americans are going to attack Iraq for two reasons: oil and to protect Israel," said Mustapha Harmeneh, director of Jordan's University's Centre for Strategic Studies.

The U.S. troops will service and operate AWAC spy planes and operate three Patriot antimissile batteries.

Washington is promised financial incentives to Jordan in exchange for its compliance, just as it's doing in Turkey.

The U.S. has hinted it may double its aid to Jordan to $1.5 billion after the war is over.
 

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/02/25/jordan030225