Posted on 01/27/2003 9:02:39 AM PST by Daniel Boone
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=256691&contrassID=1&subContrassID=0&sbSubContrassID=0 (FAIR USE APPLICATION APPLIES) Jordan to consider request to extend auspices over Iraq
By Ora Coren, Ha'aretz Correspondent
DAVOS, Switzerland - 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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Abdallah does not say this unless he is absolutely, 100% certain that Saddam Hussein is walking dead. You do not set yourself up to take Saddam Hussein's place as ruler of Iraq, and live. Not unless Saddam is dead, and soon. Abdallah just made himself a marked man, and he knows it. This took real guts. Wise Arabs will look at that and say, "He knows something we don't. Saddam Hussein is dead." |
And has been for months, yes. That's why Jordan took the unprecedented step this year of sealing its border to Palestinians making pilgramage to Saudi Arabia—there's something going on in eastern Jordan that Abdullah doesn't want Iraq's PLO friends to see. There ain't gonna be any SCUDs hitting Tel Aviv this time around...
Agreed, Nick. This is a monster.
Abdullah has been told that the operation will occur. Abdullah also has been told that Jordan and his crown will play a central role in reconstruction. This is the only reason he did stick his neck out, as you so insightfully observed.
Notice how the hated Al-Saud's are being neatly shunted aside?
The Hashemites and the Al Saud clans hate each other, ever since the Americans helped the Al Saud run the British-backed Hashemites out of Mecca and Medina. In addition, Abdullah is, by tradition, a direct descendant of the Prophet, so it's not like he has no standing.
Something else you should know, if you don't already. Back in the fall, when the Iraqi opposition caucused in London, the Jordanian Crown Prince, the King's uncle, visited the assembly and "consulted" with the INA.
Something to consider, as if something like this has been planned for some time.
Be Seeing You,
Chris
I agree, Seccy. HM wouldn't go this far publicly unless he knew. What will be interesting in all this will be how the Hashemites deal with the House of Al Saud now. No love lost there, that's for sure! Heute Bagdad, Morgens Mekka? If a United Hasemite Kingdom is proclaimed, it might assume a role similar to that of the pre-War Ottoman Empire: a guarantor of relative stabilty within a context of Arab unity. It will be interesting to see how their neighbors respond -- Israel, Iran, and Egypt especially. (Syria and the Saudis will be very careful not to rock the boat lest they find themselves similarly "liberated"; the Gulf small fry will ride into Bagdad with our boys; Turkey's response will hinge on the resolution of the Kurdish Question.)
Of course the big question mark is Arafat and the gang. Might the Israelis and the new Hashemite kingdom mark off a patch of land for the Pallies?
Time will tell. We are looking at a fundamental rearrangement of the Middle East map -- the most signficant change of affairs in the region since 1917. May God guide us as we sail into unknown waters!
Ah yes, the Al Sauds do hate the Hashemites and ran them out of Saudi Arabia where they had long been the *keepers* of Muslim holy places in Mecca and Medina. The name "Hashemite" comes from Hashem, great-grandfather of Mohammed and they claim their descent through his daughter, Fatima's, line.
[Jordanian BS propaganda alert] "King Abdullah II's great- great-grandfather, Al-Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca and King of the Arabs (later he also became known as King of the Hijaz), led the liberation of Arab lands from their domination by the Ottoman Turks. After freeing the lands of Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Syria and the Hijaz, Sharif Hussein’s son Abdullah assumed the throne of Transjordan and his second son Faisal assumed the throne of Syria and later Iraq. The Emirate of Transjordan was founded on April 11, 1921, and became the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan upon formal independence from Britain in 1946."
Abdullah I was a terribly ambitious man and was assassinated in 195l. His son Talal, was literally mad, and was quickly deposed in favor of his son Hussein. The al Sauds hate the Hashemites and giving that ever-ambitious clan part of Iraq is one hell of an "up yours" to the Saudis.
Says who?
This whole Iraq thing's just being driven by big oil & big map anyway.
From King Abdullah hopes Iraq attack will be quick, with minimum pain
The Jordanian King Abdullah II stressed that it is too late to reach a political solution to the Iraqi crisis, while his prime minister Ali Abul Ragheb remarked that Jordan may try to intercept any Iraqi Skud missiles fired against Israel in case an American war against Iraq is launched.
To my knowledge, Jordan doesn't have the independent capability to intercept scuds.
That is quite interesting. And Jordan can merely say that Iraq is prohibited from possessing Scuds and it is doing its part to enforce UN resolutions.
Daniel 8:8-9 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. And out of one of them came forth a little horn*, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
It is a weak state surrounded by stronger neighbours. To the west is Israel, to the north Syria, to the east Iraq, to the south Saudi Arabia. Jordan has throughout its history been caught in the political crossfire of a turbulent region. <<<
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1639573.stm
The little horn of Ammon.
*Alexander
with the horns of Ammon
coin of Lysimachus, c.29
Alexander spent his last years in Babylon where he organised his immense
empire, and where he made plans to conquer the Arabic peninsula. <<<
http://monolith.dnsalias.org/~marsares/history/hellen/journey.html
Pope Pius VI, Pourquoi Notre Voix, 17 July 1793
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
This is huge.