IRAQ/UNSC SANCTIONS: DEMARCHE ON ROYAL JORDANIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003130 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2012 TAGS: PREL ETTC IZ JO SUBJECT: IRAQ/UNSC SANCTIONS: DEMARCHE ON ROYAL JORDANIAN FLIGHTS DELIVERED, MESSAGE HEARD REF: STATE 112154 Classified By: A/DCM Doug Silliman for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) A/DCM covered ref points on Royal Jordanian airlines (RJ) flights to Baghdad June 11 with Ali al-Ayed, Personal Assistant to Foreign Minister Muasher. A/DCM stressed that RJ has conducted 4-times-weekly flights to Baghdad since January, and 5-times-weekly flights since April, and that the frequency and regularity of the flights makes them appear to be regular commercial flights, not/not humanitarian flights. In addition, the recent circular diplomatic note from the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad advertising the flights and offering diplomatic discounts raised particular concern in Washington. A/DCM urged the GOJ restrict the frequency and regularity of RJ operations to and from Baghdad, end advertising and discounts, and ensure that all RJ flights are truly humanitarian and in keeping with UN sanctions. ¶2. (C) Ayed took careful notes, and -- in the absence of FonMin Muasher -- promised to convey the demarche to the Acting FonMin. He expected that the issue would go to the Prime Minister for a decision, and that GOJ officials would speak to RJ about its traffic to and from Baghdad. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: Ayed clearly understood the importance of the demarche, and was visibly disturbed when he heard that the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad had sent a circular note advertising the flights. Gnehm