Iraq accuses Jordan of harbouring Saddam campaigners

The Iraqi government today criticised Jordan for allegedly allowing Saddam Hussein’s family to fund a network seeking to destabilise Iraq.

“It is regrettable to say that until now there are big numbers of elements, not only former regime elements, but supervisors of some terrorist groups who are in Jordan,” government spokesman Laith Kubba told reporters.

Kubba cited Saddam’s relatives who live in Jordan, where they have “huge amounts of money” to “support…efforts to revive Baath Party organisations.”

Kubba did not specify individual family members, but Saddam’s two oldest daughters live in the Jordanian capital Amman.

Relations between Jordan and Iraq have been strained since the collapse of Saddam’s regime in 2003 over various issues. However, it appeared Kubba’s statements were aimed in part at deflecting criticism from Jordan about the possible involvement of Iraqis in subversive operations in Jordan.

Jordanian police have detained an undetermined number of Iraqis as well as other foreign Arab suspects in the Friday rocket attack that barely missed a US warship in Aqaba.

“We don’t want Jordan to harm a quarter of a million Iraqis (living in Jordan) because of one Iraqi” involved in Friday’s attack, Kubba said.

There was no immediate comment from the Jordanian government, which has been seeking to improve relations with its eastern neighbour – once its closest trading partner and only supplier of oil.