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        US Peace Corps Withdraws from Jordan, Cites Regional Instability

   by VOA News

   The [1]U.S. Peace Corps program is pulling dozens of volunteers out of
   Jordan and temporarily shuttering its services in the country, citing
   the "current regional environment."

   The agency said Saturday it was withdrawing 37 youth development
   workers from the country, suspending the program that was established
   in 1997.

   The [2]announcement came after the U.S. Embassy in Jordan warned in
   February of potential threats against "high-end malls" in the capital,
   Amman.

   ''Jordan has long been perceived as an island of relative stability in
   a turbulent region, a country that offers shelter to war refugees from
   neighboring countries. Harm to that image could pose a growing threat
   to important branches of Jordan's economy, including tourism and
   related businesses.

   Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed al-Momani declined to comment
   Sunday on the decision by the Peace Corps, which was posted on the
   agency's website over the weekend.

   Mustafa Hamarneh, a member of Jordan's parliament, said there is a
   sense among Jordanians that U.S. officials are exaggerating the
   possible risk of attacks on foreigners in Jordan.

   "Malls are full, markets are full," he said. "There is no general sense
   in this country that we are in danger."

   Maintaining Jordan's image as a stable country is critical for the
   economy, he said.

   Jordan, which shares borders with Syria and Iraq where the Islamic
   State group has gained territory in the past year, is a member of the
   U.S.-led international coalition conducting air raids against the
   militants.

   Some material for this report came from AP.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [3]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-peace-corps-withdraws-from-jordan-
   amid-regional-instatbility/2672093.html

References

   1. http://www.peacecorps.gov/
   2. http://www.peacecorps.gov/media/forpress/press/2514/
   3. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-peace-corps-withdraws-from-jordan-amid-regional-instatbility/2672093.html