Jordan Times
Sunday, March 20, 2005
No negative stand
against Shiites, Khader reiterates
By Alia Shukri Hamzeh
AMMAN — The government on Saturday reiterated that Jordan's ties with Iraq “was never based on a certain group or race,” stressing that the Kingdom has always dealt with Shiites there with respect.
“Jordan has no negative position or stand against
the Shiites. We have always respected the will of the Iraqi people in choosing
their own leadership and future and will continue to do so,” Government
Spokesperson Asma Khader told reporters during a press conference. Khader, also
the minister of culture, said Iraq's stability was within the Kingdom's interest
and that Jordan has been very clear in condemning acts of violence disrupting
the conflict-torn country's efforts to restore security.
She was responding to Iraqi Shiites protests in Baghdad, demanding an apology by
the Kingdom for the alleged involvement of a Jordanian in a suicide bombing that
killed 118 in Hilla.
The demonstrators reportedly burned Israeli and Jordanian flags and raised the
Iraqi flag over the Jordanian embassy. Khader said the Jordanian flag was a
national symbol and that any attack against it affronts Jordanians.
“Jordan strongly condemns any attack against the Iraqi people, in particular the
hideous crime of Hilla which killed scores of innocent people,” Khader said,
adding that the investigation into the attack has not shown any proof or
information that it was carried out by a Jordanian.