Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=03/23/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=JORDAN/IRAQ DIPLOMATS (S-O)

NUMBER=2-301157

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=AMMAN, JORDAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Jordan has expelled five Iraqi diplomats. The move comes after Washington asked 60 nations to close down Iraqi diplomatic operations. VOA Correspondent Laurie Kassman has more from Amman.

TEXT: Iraq's commercial attaché, cultural attaché and three consular section officials have left for home. A press spokesman at the embassy says the Jordanian government expelled the five diplomats. He did not say why.

A day earlier Jordan's foreign minister said his government had not received a U-S request to close down Iraqi diplomatic operations in Jordan. He said Jordan is a sovereign nation and would make decisions independently of other nations.

On Friday, the U-S administration asked some 60 countries to dismiss Iraqi diplomats in anticipation of a new government being formed, after the U-S led war in Iraq is over. Several Arab states who oppose the war said they would not heed Washington's call.

Jordan is trying to keep a neutral stance on the sidelines of the war across its border. But the government has allowed a few thousand American troops to operate in the country, as the foreign minister describes it, for defensive measures only. (Signed)

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