Jordan, Yemen conditionally offer troops to Iraq

[RonOnGuitar]

TiawanNews.Com:



Jordan, Yemen conditionally offer troops to Iraq



2004-07-04 / Associated Press /

Jordan and Yemen conditionally offered sending soldiers to fellow Arab state Iraq, marking a major policy shift that could be an attempt to encourage other Arabs and Muslims to help the war-ravaged country's new U.S.-backed government restore security.



But the risks are considerable if Jordan and Yemen are seen taking up arms against fellow Arabs, the Iraqis, or if Iraq's neighbors, like Turkey and Iran, who already have influence or ambitions in that country, follow their lead and offer forces.



While Iraq's new authorities have been opposed to neighboring states, particularly Iran, Turkey and Syria, sending forces into their country, the offers from Iraq's western neighbor, Jordan, plus Yemen will be welcome in the United States, which has led a coalition of 33 countries - none of them Arab - in trying to bring security to unstable postwar Iraq.



The initial response from the Iraqi government was lukewarm.



In Britain on Thursday, Jordan's King Abdullah II said he was willing to send to troops to Iraq, potentially becoming the first Arab state to do so. It was unclear what role Jordanian troops would serve, but Jordan has offered to train Iraqi soldiers and police in Jordan.



"I presume that if the Iraqis ask us for help directly, it would be very difficult for us to say no," Abdullah told The British Broadcasting Corp. "Our message to the president or the prime minister is: Tell us what you want. Tell us how we can help, and you have 110 percent support from us."



On Friday, Yemen also announced it was willing to send peacekeepers to Iraq, but only if they formed part of a U.N.-controlled force.



The U.N. Security Council on June 8 adopted a resolution authorizing the multinational force in Iraq to remain and provide security. It also paves the way for other countries to join if they choose.



Iraq Iraq's foreign minister gave a lukewarm response yesterday to offers by some Arab countries to send troops here, saying Iraq would consider help from Arab troops if they come from countries that don't border Iraq and work under U.N. auspices.



Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari's comments came after Jordan's King Abdullah said he would be willing to send troops if the new interim government in Baghdad requests them.



Bahrain also offered naval forces. Yemen offered help in a U.N. mission, provided all coalition forces withdraw from Iraq.



"These countries can support United Nations operations and play a central and effective role" in support of the United Nations, Zebari said during a news conference with Romanian Foreign Minster Mircea Geoana.



Zebari reiterated the position of the now defunct Governing Council, which had ruled out troops from neighboring countries, such as Turkey and Iran, for fear they could wield too much influence in Iraq.



"The general framework is the contribution of Arab forces in peacekeeping (operations), but from non-neighboring countries," he said.