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| Middle East |
| Jordan foils plot to blow up hotel and poison water supply |
| 2003-04-02 |
| The Jordanian authorities have arrested four Iraqis in connection with a plot to bomb a hotel in Amman used by journalists and foreign diplomats, according to reports yesterday. There were also reports that Jordanian security forces managed to prevent another plot to poison the water supply of a base being used by US soldiers in the country. It was not clear how seriously the reports, which were attributed to "diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity", could be taken. The Jordanian government refused to comment other than to say there had been Iraqi attempts to "undermine Jordanian security". Lessee: two plus two equals ... The hotel involved in the first alleged incident appears to be the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Amman, although the reports did not name it. A small fire in the Hyatt last week was blamed on an electrical fault, but it is now suspected this may have been the incident in question. The hotel is packed with foreign journalists. Unnamed American "officials" are also reported to have stayed at the hotel in recent days. The second alleged incident apparently involved a plot to contaminate a water supply pumped from Zarqa, near Amman. Zarqa supplies several desert villages with water, and, it is believed, a military base at Khao which is being used by American soldiers. Unnamed sources said this incident was connected to the recent expulsion of five Iraqi diplomats from Jordan. At the time, it appeared more likely that the expulsion was in response to a request from the US to some 60 countries to expel Iraqi diplomats. The Iraqi government has recently made threatening noises towards Jordan, accusing the kingdom of assisting the US war effort. Maybe it was the Esquimaux. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #1 I was surprised that a mullah from Jordan "defended" America's side in the van shooting by saying he got his info inside Iraq. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-04-02 11:50:00 |