Iraq requests explanation from Jordan about opposition conference

The Iraqi government announced yesterday that it expects an explanation from the Jordanian authorities about its decision to host the Iraqi opposition conference last week, Jordan’s Al-Ghad newspaper reported.

A senior Jordanian diplomat said that Jordan will make no further comments on the issue and suffices with the government’s remarks two days ago about calling its ambassador in Baghdad to Amman for consultations.

The Iraqi foreign Ministry quoted a government statement on its website saying it expects an explanation from the Jordanian authorities to justify this position, which comes against Jordan’s confirmation of its commitment to perpetuate the relationship with Iraq and non-interference in its internal affairs.

Meanwhile, the Jordanian source told the newspaper yesterday, that “if Jordan receives a formal request for clarification from Iraq, it will deal with it according to diplomatic norms.”

An Iraqi Foreign Ministry statement said: “The Iraqi government received with extreme astonishment the news of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s hosting a conference attended by figures and groups who are involved with the killing of Iraqis and who are seeking to undermine the political process and the democratic achievements made ​​by all components of the Iraqi people.

“Allowing such conferences to be held in Amman is an interference in the internal Iraqi affairs and a violation of the diplomatic norms and contradicts the international positions of the United Nations, the League of the Arab States, the European Union, the permanent members of the Security Council, and international public opinion in support of the political process and the democratic transitions in Iraq.”

The statement concluded: “The Iraqi government, after summoning its ambassador to Jordan, and before taking further decisions, expects an explanation from the Jordanian authorities to justify this position, which comes against the confirmations of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s commitment to perpetuate the relationship with Iraq and non-interference in its internal affairs.”