Jordan Times
Monday, January 26, 1998
Rashid denies Jordan requested assistance from
Scotland Yard in Rabia investigation
By Tareq Ayyoub
AMMAN - Minister of Interior Nathir Rashid on Sunday dismissed
news reports that Jordan sought the assistance of Scotland Yard
in the investigation to unveil the identity of those responsible
for the mass murder of six Iraqis in Amman including Iraq's
charge d'affaires and his wife.
"This information is not true. We did not request any
assistance from any party in our investigation," Mr. Rashid
told the Jordan Times, adding that the investigation was being
carried out only by Jordanian security officials.
The minister was responding to reports which appeared in the
press and a statement made by a British embassy official in Amman
on Sunday.
"The government of Jordan has called for help from the
Scotland Yard to supply Jordan with information but we do not
know what is the nature of this information demanded by the
government," the embassy official, who asked not to be
identified, had said.
However, the Jordanian request does not include sending British
experts to assist Jordanian security in their hunt for the
attackers, the British official added.
Among the victims of the Jan. 16 slayings was the Iraqi diplomat
Hikmat Hajo, Namir Ochi, a brother of the Iraqi billionaire Nazmi
Ochi who carries a British citizenship, and his friend Sami
George who owns the house where the murder took place.
Two other Iraqis, the Egyptian guard of the house and one of his
relatives were among those killed in the attack.
Mr. Rashid did not confirm or deny that those who committed the
crime had left the country or still here.
"But I believe that we will have good news [about possible
arrests] after Eid Al Fitr," Mr. Rashid said. The minister
did not elaborate.