Iraq yesterday called on neighboring Jordan to extradite members of Saddam Husseinâs former regime it accused of fomenting âterrorismâ on its soil. It also claimed that the United Arab Emirates and Syria as well as Jordan were being used by groups backing the deadly insurgency and said it was seeking counterterrorism accords with the three states. âWe are sorry to say that until now, a high number of the figures of the regime and those who supervise terrorist groups are based in Jordan,â government spokesman Leith Kubba charged. âWe hope to have an agreement with Jordan to combat terrorism, and to chase and extradite wanted people,â he said.Kubba said Iraqis had warned that the violence engulfing their country would reach its neighbors, referring to the triple rocket attack on US warships on Friday in Jordanâs Red Sea resort of Aqaba. âWe sympathize with Jordan... but we have always warned that the flames of terrorism in Iraq, which many ignored or sympathized with... would not be confined to Iraq and would move to other countries,â he said. âIt is in the interest of all to work on putting out this fire (of insurgency) before it stretches to their countries,â he said.
âThere are three countries where many Iraqi organizations operate, appearing to be political, but in fact supporting terrorism... We hope to reach agreements with these countries.â He named the three as the UAE, Syria and Jordan. âThere are activities that support terrorism â sometimes through media â and originate in these countries,â he added.