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Jordanians Protest Powell Tour
by Tareq Ayyoub
AMMAN, Feb 24 (IslamOnline) - Jordanian Professional Unions members and political activists on Saturday staged a rally to protest the upcoming visit of U.S. Secretary of States Colin Powell, and to call for immediate lifting of U.N. sanctions against Iraq.
At least 1000 participants took part in a peaceful one-hour rally, which started from the Professional Unions premises in Shmeisani to the nearby U.N. headquarters.
During the protest, activists chanted anti-U.S.-Israel slogans and carried Jordanian, Palestinian and Iraqi flags, as well pictures of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
"Jordanian People denounce the visit of the criminal Colin Powell," read one banner. "Down to the U.S.-Zionist Aggression" and "Stop Sanctions Against Iraq" read other banners.
Participants also lashed out at U.S. President George W. Bush and urged Arab leaders to support the Iraqi people against what was described as "U.S. aggression against Iraq."
"Listen Bush: two things we will not abandon, Saddam Hussein and Iraq," yelled one of the participants.
"Maybe [the] U.S. and U.K. have 'smart sanctions' against Iraq, but certainly they have dumb politicians in London and Washington," said Tareq Tahboub, chairman of the Jordanian Medical Association.
Tahboub was referring to news reports about U.S. plans to replace 11-year-old sanctions against Iraq with what reports describe as "smart sanctions".
"Our message to Colin Powell is that sanctions should be ended and Iraqi people should have their freedom," said Mijhim Khreisah, secretary general of the Nahdah Party.
At the end of the rally, representatives of the gathering submitted a memo to a U.N. official after which participants dispersed peacefully with no arrests made.
The protest was the first in the region to protest Powell's visit, which started Saturday.
Many took the Jordanian government's decision to allow the rally a "surprise" amid mounting government criticism towards professional involvement in political activities.
Meanwhile, Powell is expected to visit Egypt, Israel, Palestinian Self-rule areas, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Syria during his tour.
U.S. officials said that Powell's trip to the region is aimed at massing support for U.S. policy against Iraq, which many believe is declining following the February 16th joint U.S. and British air strikes against Iraq, which left two people killed and over 20 injured.
Powell is expected to arrive in Jordan later Saturday in a short visit where he will meet with King Abdullah.
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