Amman will not allow any Iraqi refugees fleeing an eventual United States attack to enter its territory, Jordan’s Information Minister Mohammad Adwan told journalists on Wednesday.
"We are determined to protect our borders and we will act according to the circumstances every time, regarding humanitarian issues if that ever occurs," he said, according to AFP.
"We hope we can avoid any military strike against Iraq, but if it does happen Jordan will study all scenarios and all possibilities," he added, while saying he could not provide further details.
"Jordan is walking on a tight rope," Adwan said. "Iraq is a neighboring Arab country, we have brotherhood ties and geographical and commercial interests. At the same time we are an ally of the US, we have ties, very important commercial interests and political.
"To maintain this balance is very difficult. That is why we have been trying to play a constructive role in this Iraqi issue, that is why His Majesty (King Abdullah II) when he went to the US he was advising against the military strike."
According to Adwan, the US military maneuvers in Jordan had taken place and the troops involved had left Jordanian soil, adding, "There is nothing else planned."
"I think there is some more flexibility from Iraq about the acceptance for the return of the (weapons) inspectors," he said. "If Iraq allows the inspectors without any condition it will be very difficult to justify any military strike."
Referring to Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict across Jordan's western borders, Adwan said, "We are squeezed between two of the hottest most volatile conflicts, probably in the world.
"We try to play a constructive role in both these two conflicts. It is not easy for us to do so”. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
