BAGHDAD, 22 August 2005 — Iraq yesterday called on neighboring Jordan to extradite members of Saddam Hussein’s former regime it accused of fomenting “terrorism” on its soil.

It also claimed that the United Arab Emirates and Syria as well as Jordan were being used by groups backing the deadly insurgency and said it was seeking counterterrorism accords with the three states.

“We are sorry to say that until now, a high number of the figures of the regime and those who supervise terrorist groups are based in Jordan,” government spokesman Leith Kubba charged. “We hope to have an agreement with Jordan to combat terrorism, and to chase and extradite wanted people,” he said.

Kubba said Iraqis had warned that the violence engulfing their country would reach its neighbors, referring to the triple rocket attack on US warships on Friday in Jordan’s Red Sea resort of Aqaba.

“We sympathize with Jordan... but we have always warned that the flames of terrorism in Iraq, which many ignored or sympathized with... would not be confined to Iraq and would move to other countries,” he said.

“It is in the interest of all to work on putting out this fire (of insurgency) before it stretches to their countries,” he said.

“There are three countries where many Iraqi organizations operate, appearing to be political, but in fact supporting terrorism... We hope to reach agreements with these countries.” He named the three as the UAE, Syria and Jordan.

“There are activities that support terrorism — sometimes through media — and originate in these countries,” he added.

Kubba criticized Jordan also for allowing members of Saddam’s family who fled to Amman following the ousting of his regime in April 2003, to conduct political activities which he said were hostile to Iraq.

“The family of Saddam is there with a huge wealth. (Jordanian) law is allowing them to support political activities. They are attempting to revive the Baath party. This is unacceptable and hostile from an Iraqi viewpoint,” he said. Kubba said Iraq was holding around 280 foreigners, mainly Arabs but also including a Briton, for alleged involvement in attacks. Those detained were mostly Egyptians, Syrians and Sudanese, along with a smaller number of Saudis, Jordanians, Iranians and north Africans, four Turks and a Briton, he said.

Kubba said the trial of Saddam Hussein, who is being investigated on possible charges of crimes against humanity and genocide, would begin within six weeks — a timeframe in line with recent indications from the tribunal.