(MENAFN- Jordan Times) Germany is seeking full immunity for the 250 military personnel projected to be deployed at Al Azraq Base; granting, or denying it, is more of an issue of policy than a legal matter.
Germany decided to withdraw its military people from Incirlik Airbase after disagreement with Ankara over visitation rights for the country's parliamentarians and other officials of the airbase in Turkey.
Berlin's decision to redeploy its airmen and military in Jordan is welcomed, seeing that bilateral relations are excellent and hosting German military personnel could only further bolster the ties.
On the other hand, granting immunity against all judicial or legal liability to the German services men and women, while in Jordan must not be based on the diplomatic immunity criterion, as suggested by Berlin.
The German military personnel would not be in the Kingdom as diplomats enjoying full diplomatic status, or, full immunity is only granted to foreigners domiciled in Jordan as diplomats, which will not be the case with the military stationed here.
Still, Germany's concern about its citizens deployed at the Jordanian airbase can be dealt with on the basis of a memorandum of understanding that would spell out the conditions under which German airmen and soldiers can be hosted in a manner acceptable to both sides.
There can be no doubt that the German military present in Jordan would be accorded full Jordanian hospitality and must not fear arbitrary persecution or criminal prosecution if they behave according to the law.
If a situation arises where a German military person deployed at the airbase in Jordan could face charges of wrongdoing, a certain policy decision will have to be taken.
However, one would be hasting to assume that there will be any reason to take criminal action against the German military personnel, normally disciplined and law abiding.
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