Western embassies close in Jordan
Countries cite reports of possible terrorist attacks, but Jordan slams decision.
The decision of the Canadian and Australian embassies in Jordan to close because of possible terrorist attacks, the day after the British Embassy did the same, brought a sharp rebuke from the Jordanian government Monday.
Petra, the Jordanian government news agency, reports that a government spokesman called the closing "
completely unwarranted."
"The concerned government departments were fully ready to cooperate and provide any precautionary measures required for the security of the British embassy or any other diplomatic mission but the British embassy decided to close down despite the fact they know how far Jordan cooperates with them and with any diplomatic mission," said the spokesperson in a statement to Petra. This decision "is completely unwarranted" and the justifications made [by] the British embassy were not based on real warrants, he added. The spokesperson confirmed Jordan's keenness on providing the necessary protection for all diplomatic missions in light of the continuous assessment made by the security apparatus, who have proved their competence and efficiency in handling security issues. The
BBC reports that Britain shut its embassy after receiving threats that indicated attacks against Westerners and Western targets seemed to be
in the final stages. In November of last year, terrorist attacks at three hotels in Amman killed almost 60 people. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, later claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The US Embassy in Amman remained open.
The Jordan Times reports that the British ambassador, Christopher Prentice, said the threat that precipitated the closing
came via the Internet. After the November bombings, Zarqawi's group posted statements online saying that there would be more attacks in the future, and warned Jordanians to stay away from Western targets like embassies, hotels, and tourist sites.
Since the attacks, security has been stepped up at the country's major institutions and leisure facilities, with metal detectors and security guards becoming a regular feature of life in the capital at the entrances to hotels, restaurants and shopping malls.
The
Associated Press reports that Britain did not warn its citizens against traveling to Jordan, but
updated the advice it had previously posted.
"If you are planning to travel to Jordan, you should take sensible precautions for your personal security arrangements throughout your visit," the advice warned. "Developments in the region could affect the security situation."
Bloomberg News reports that the Canadian and Australian government
posted similar warnings on their foreign affairs websites Sunday. "Travellers should exercise caution," the Canadian site said, as Jordan remains susceptible to "international terrorism."
Al Jazeera, the Arab-language satellite news network based in Qatar, reported Monday that the Jordanian parliament
approved two new security laws over the weekend. One of them would shield US citizens from war crimes prosecution in the International Criminal Court, and the other is aimed at fighting terrorist financing.
But it was the ICC waiver that provoked the most heated debate, the network reports, with many opposition MPs saying the only reason that Jordan signed it was that the US threatened to withhold aid if Jordan didn't support the US position. The Bush administration is vehemently opposed to the ICC.
Meanwhile, across the border in Iraq,
The New York Times reports, US officials have begun talks with Iraqi insurgents in a move to try to
isolate more radical groups like Zarqawi's. A Western diplomat told the paper that the US had opened "direct talks" with former and local guerrilla commanders. Communications with senior insurgent leaders were being conducted through intermediaries.
The Western diplomat said he did not harbor any illusions about securing the immediate surrender of the insurgent groups, or even a cease-fire, but he said he hoped to begin to persuade them that the new government, which is expected to contain a number Sunni leaders, is worthy of their support.
"There cannot be a legitimate resistance against a legitimate government," the diplomat said. "If we could reach an understanding, then they could take care of Zarqawi and the terrorists."
Finally,
United Press International reported Friday that
the US has established a regional security training center in Jordan. The International Police Academy has trained about 20,000 Iraqi police and special forces to far. It plans to train about 32,000 troops by 2007. Officials said Western countries, including the US, are looking at sending special operations units to the facility for training in Middle East operations.
Also...
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US troops seize award-winning Iraqi journalist (Guardian)
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Islam's fanatical 1 per cent (Jordan Times)
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Tom Regan
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