Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02AMMAN5838
2002-10-08 11:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

PRIME MINISTER ABUL RAGHEB ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES,

Tags:  CJAN PHUM PREL US 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.
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 005838 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2012
TAGS: CJAN PHUM PREL US JO
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER ABUL RAGHEB ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES,
U.S. LEGAL ASSISTANCE REQUESTS

REF: A. STATE 162967

B. STATE 166372

C. AMMAN 5576

Classified By: Amb. Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D)

--------------------------------------
GOJ RESPONSIVE ON BANK RECORDS REQUEST
--------------------------------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 005838

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2012
TAGS: CJAN PHUM PREL US JO
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER ABUL RAGHEB ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES,
U.S. LEGAL ASSISTANCE REQUESTS

REF: A. STATE 162967

B. STATE 166372

C. AMMAN 5576

Classified By: Amb. Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D)

--------------
GOJ RESPONSIVE ON BANK RECORDS REQUEST
--------------


1. (C) The Ambassador and DCM spoke October 5 with Prime
Minister Ali Abul Ragheb about human rights and legal
assistance issues (other topics septels, notal). Abul Ragheb
mentioned that the Jordanian Ministry of Justice was
collecting the bank records requested by the U.S. Department
of Justice in the investigation of four U.S. criminal cases
(per refs a and b),and seemed to be confident that the
records would be made available. He commented that Jordan's
new counterterrorism legislation, passed after September 11,
had given the GOJ new legal authority to collect and pass on
the requested information to the U.S.

--------------
JORDAN SOCIETY FOR CITIZENS' RIGHTS
--------------


2. (C) The Ambassador asked Abul Ragheb about the status of
GOJ actions toward the Jordan Society for Citizens' Rights
(JSCR),a local human rights NGO that the GOJ has accused of
financial misdealing (ref c). The Ambassador commented that,
whatever the nature of the government's allegations against
the JSCR, the Interior Ministry's demand for further
information from the organization looked to those outside
Jordan and to the NGO community in Jordan like harassment.
He hoped that the GOJ could work out its problems with the
JSCR to avoid any closure.


3. (C) Abul Ragheb responded that the Interior Ministry had
sent similar letters to other NGOs and parties to make sure
they are in compliance with government financial disclosure
laws. (Note: No other NGO has told us that they have
received such a letter. End note.) He said that, although
he had no reason personally to believe that the JSCR had been
involved in financial improprieties, the fact that the group
had never filed required financial reports with the
government meant that the government also had no proof that
they collected and used funds according to the law. All
organizations, he insisted, including professional
organizations and unions, would have to comply with the law.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


4. (C) The positive response to our most recent legal
assistance requests is heartening. On the JSCR, we have laid
down a marker at a senior level that we value the
organization and its work. We will continue to encourage the
JSCR and the GOJ to work out a solution that leaves the JSCR
intact.
GNEHM