Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02AMMAN3010
2002-06-09 06:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

JORDAN: TREASURY QUESTIONS ON TERRORISM FINANCE

Tags:  ETTC EFIN PTER KVPR CVIS JO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 003010 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

TREASURY FOR FINCEN -- AHMED ALBASHARI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC EFIN PTER KVPR CVIS JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: TREASURY QUESTIONS ON TERRORISM FINANCE

REF: STATE 61381

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 003010

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

TREASURY FOR FINCEN -- AHMED ALBASHARI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC EFIN PTER KVPR CVIS JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: TREASURY QUESTIONS ON TERRORISM FINANCE

REF: STATE 61381


1. (sbu) In a conversation with Econ Chief, Malakh Ghanem,
a senior official in the Central Bank of Jordan banking
supervision department (effectively the deputy),and her
staff provided orally the following answers to the questions
in reftel. The CBJ's answers were developed in consultation
with CBJ legal staff. The CBJ is happy to address any
additional questions, which they suggested be transmitted to
them by the embassy in order to ensure proper coordination
within the Jordanian government. CBJ staff is also
interested in educational and training opportunities on
terrorism finance issues. Since Jordan does not currently
have a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) or the equivalent,
they would appreciate information on establishing such a unit
and on participation in the Egmont Group. (The CBJ is
planning to send a representative to an upcoming
DS/ATA-sponsored course on legislation related to terrorism.)


2. (sbu) The following answers are keyed to reftel
questions.

(1) The CBJ has issued freeze orders for all thirteen lists
issued under EO 13224. Freeze orders are issued via
circulars that are delivered by the CBJ to Jordanian
financial institutions on the same day as the embassy
provides notification of the USG action.

(2) No. However, under Jordan's anti-moneylaundering
regulations, financial institutions are required to notify
the central bank of suspicious transactions. This occurs
periodically, but none of those transactions have been
terrorism-linked.

(3) No names were excluded.

(4) Penalties are addressed in Article 88 of the Banking Law
(law number 28 of 2000). They include 1) addressing a
written warning, 2) instructing a bank to submit a
satisfactory program of measures to eliminate the violation
and rectify the situation, 3) instructing the bank to cease
certain activities, or forbidding the bank to distribute
dividends, 4) imposing a fine on the bank not to exceed JD
100,000 (usd 140,000),5) instructing the bank to temporarily
suspend from service any administrator, other than a member
of its board of directors, or to dismiss such administrator,
depending on the gravity of the violation, 6) removing the
chairman or any member of the board of directors of the bank,
7) dissolving the board of directors of the bank and placing
the bank under the management of the central bank for a
period not to exceed twelve months. The governor may extend
the period for up to twelve additional months, and 8)
revoking the license of the bank.

(5) No.

(6) Yes. Under Article 93 of the Banking Law, financial
institutions should provide full account information,
including name of holder, balance, source of funds and any
other relevant information.

(7) Article 93 freeze orders apply for 30 days and can be
extended.

(8) No.

(9) Terrorism related assets have not been identified or
frozen by the CBJ.

(10) Same day (regarding information received from the USG).

(11) Same day.

(12) Assets of Jordanian nationals and residents as well as
foreign nationals can be frozen under Jordanian law.

(13) There have been no legal challenges. Challenges would
be through the judicial system.

(14) Additional evidence can be used to defend against a
challenge. The Jordanian legal system can protect sensitive
information.

(15) Details of terrorism-related arrests have been reported
through separate channels.

(16) Post will forward copies of the banking law articles 88
and 93 (in English),as well as copies of anti-money
laundering regulations (Arabic),and amendments to the penal
code criminalizing terrorist related activities, including
financing (Arabic),to Ahmed Albashari at FINCEN.
Gnehm