Jordan has told the United States it is "concerned" the US navy will intercept shipments arriving or leaving its southern port in a search for illegal Iraqi petrol deliveries, a government source said Saturday.
"Jordan was informed by international shipping companies that American forces command told them they intended to restart inspection operations of cargo arriving or leaving Aqaba", the source told AFP.
The source added that Amman had contacted Washington "to communicate in advance its concern" about the move and to "confirm the absence of any illegal shipments through Aqaba".
The United States has not informed Jordan it intends to intercept shipments, the same source also said, adding, "Jordan respects the international sanctions imposed by the United Nations on Iraq."
During the 1991 Gulf War following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait the previous year, US warships intercepted cargo shipments arriving or leaving Jordan's only Red Sea port in a bid to ensure Baghdad was not exporting oil in violation of a United Nations embargo. Interceptions ceased in the year 1994.
The reports of renewed US inspections come at a time when Washington has said it is determined to oust the regime of Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. Jordan has said several times it is opposed to any US strike on its neighbor.
Under a six-year-old exemption from the UN embargo, Iraq is allowed to export up to 2.1 million barrels per day of oil under UN supervision to fund imports of essential goods. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
