Jordan Times
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Jordan, Iraq to enhance security
AMMAN (JT) — Jordan and Iraq agreed Wednesday to
set up a committee to enhance security between the two neighbours and exchange
intelligence on terrorism and organised crime.
The agreement was reached during talks between Interior Minister Eid Fayez and
his Iraqi counterpart Jawad Bolani, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
Jordan, meanwhile, said it would examine a draft memorandum of understanding on
security issues presented yesterday by Iraq, according to Petra.
Agence France-Presse on Wednesday quoted Iraqi Ambassador Saad Jassem Hayani as
saying that the two countries were to sign an agreement to fight terrorism.
“They have set up three committees, which are discussing security cooperation to
fight terrorism, the extradition of suspects wanted in both countries as well as
measures at border posts,” Hayani told AFP.
“A joint statement will be issued at the end of the talks to define the
mechanism of security cooperation between Jordan and Iraq.”
Bolani arrived in Jordan late Tuesday along with Minister of National Security
Shirwan Waeli and around 30 officials, according to Al Rai newspaper.
Al Rai quoted Fayez as saying that the discussions were also to focus on the
situation of Iraqis who have fled to Jordan since the start of the US-led war in
2003.
Jordan says around half a million Iraqis have taken refuge in the Kingdom,
although unofficial estimates puts their number at some 800,000.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maliki told a Baghdad news conference earlier this
month that his government will dispatch delegations to neighbouring countries to
organise a regional conference to combat terrorism.
He said he hoped the conference could be held in Iraq and that this would be
based on the findings of the various delegations sent to each of Iraq’s
neighbouring countries.
He also announced plans to convene a national reconciliation conference with all
political parties in Iraq later this month to “agree on a charter of honour to
end the bloodshed of Iraqis and sectarian conflict”.
In October 2005, Jordan and Iraq signed an accord to strengthen border security
in the fight as part of efforts to stamp out terrorism and organised crime.