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