AMMAN, Jordan, July 6 (UPI) -- Jordanian political activists and union leaders started a signature campaign Tuesday to oppose the possible deployment of troops to neighboring Iraq.
The petition said that its signatories, from various political and social groups in Jordan, "note that the Jordanian government continues to defy Jordanian public opinion and ignore constitutional and democratic norms by adopting policies that contradict the views of the public on Iraq."
It expressed concern about the government's support of the U.S. political scheme in Iraq and the Iraqi interim government, which Jordan recognized despite public opposition.
King Abdullah said in London last week that his country would be willing to send troops to Iraq as part of a multinational force to help restore security and stability there.
But Foreign Minister Marwan al-Muashar denied any plans to send troops, saying the monarch meant merely to support Iraq's bid to return to normalcy.
The petition stressed that sending Jordanian troops to Iraq "would tarnish the image and reputation of the Jordanian army and place the lives of troops and officers in danger."
It also warned that such a move would divide Jordanian society and plunge the country into political and security troubles.
