Jordan has decided to allow the discreet stationing of U.S. troops on its soil to man air defenses, the launch of search-and-rescue missions from its airfields and the passage of allied planes across its airspace in any war with Iraq, according to Jordanian officials and diplomats.
In its Thursday edition, The Washington Post said, hoever, that Jordanian officials have said no invasion can originate from Jordan and that Washington has yet to make formal requests for cooperation in the event of hostilities. But in interviews, they said all assistance would be provided short of "the apparent physical presence of troops."
"Definitely, we will be helpful," said a senior Jordanian official, according to the newspaper. "But we cannot say bring 10,000 troops and march from Jordan to Iraq. That could be disastrous, and the Americans appreciate this."
A senior Jordanian official said his country expects the United States to deliver two, and possibly three, Patriot antimissile batteries to defend against any Iraqi attack. Although the deal has not been announced, the official said they would arrive within three weeks, the report added. (Albawaba.com)
