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Jordan to consider request to extend auspices
Jordanian King Abdallah would favorably consider an American request to extend the auspices of the monarchy over Iraq for a temporary period after the expected U.S.-led attack on Saddam Hussein's regime, if the Americans ask, according to senior political sources participating in the World Ecnomic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "Iraq? For me? Oh, you shouldn't have.." According to the estimates of sources in Davos involved in preparations for the war in Iraq, the realistic scenario is that commanders of Iraqi forces will surrender shortly after the U.S.-led attack begins and will come to American military headquarters waving white flags. Yup! The American government will select from among those commanders the leaders of the interim Iraqi government that will rule the country until a more permanent arrangement is found, the sources added. Sounds like the post-WWII German model. After an interim period of 2-3 years, they said, if the temporary regime in Iraq asks from the Jordanian monarchy to extend its auspices over Iraq, King Abdallah would likely consider the request favorably. Fat chance the Iraqis will ask Jordan to rule them. Who put forward this proposel, King Abdallah ? But Jordanian officials examining U.S. overtures on the matter made clear that Abdallah would need to carefully consider the repercussions such a move would have on Jordan's stability. King Abdallah said Monday that only "a miricle" could prevent a war in Iraq." The sources said that the widely held estimate in the international community is that Israel will try to stay outside the conflict with Iraq. But they believe that if Israel is attacked and its population is seriously harmed, there would probably be an Israeli military response. Probably? According to sources, immediately following the war in Iraq, international pressure will resume on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to reach a stage of preparing for the creation of an independent Palestinian state and a final peace agreement within three years, in accordance with the "road map" proposed by the Quartet - the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia. Immediately following the war in Iraq, there will be no Palestinian Authority Posted by: Steve 2003-01-27 |
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