ASSASSINATION OF U.S. DIPLOMAT IN AMMAN: STATUS AS

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 006309

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2007
TAGS: ASEC PTER PREL JO
SUBJECT: ASSASSINATION OF U.S. DIPLOMAT IN AMMAN: STATUS AS
OF NOON LOCAL 10/29

REF: (A) AMMAN 6282 (B) AMMAN 6265 (C) AMMAN 6261

Classified By: DCM Gregory L. Berry. Reasons 1.5 (b,d).


1. (C) Twenty four hours after the brutal murder of USAID
employee Larry Foley, the GOJ continues to provide excellent
cooperation in the investigation of the attack and in
implementing new security measures to protect the American
community. At the political level, numerous senior GOJ
officials (the King, PM, FM, Minister of Interior, Minister
of Planning, and others) have made public statements strongly
condemning the attack, reaffirming Jordan's close
relationship with the U.S., and vowing to do all they can to
find the perpetrator(s) and bring him/them to justice.
Jordan's largest opposition party -- The Islamic Action Front
-- also condemned the attack stating "our condemnation of
U.S. policies does not mean that we sanction murder." A
common theme in today's press and in conversations with
contacts has been that this was an attack as much on Jordan
as it was on the U.S., and that it was intended to sow
instability in the Kingdom. Alongside this as well have been
expressions of shame and anger that Jordan's tradition of
gracious hospitality to guests has been assaulted.


2. (C) Investigation: Both the GID and PSD continue to work
the case hard and are devoting extensive resources to finding
the perpetrators. A two-person DS Protective Intelligence
Investigative (PII) team is scheduled to arrive in Amman from
Washington this evening (10/29) to assist in the
investigation. The London-based Arabic-language daily
"al-Quds al-Arabi" reported on 10/29 that it had received a
statement from a group called "Shurafa al-Urdun" (Honorables
or Nobles of Jordan) claiming responsibility for the attack.
The same group had claimed responsibility for the murder of
an Israeli businessman in Amman in August 2001.


3. (SBU) Security: The RSO is working with the Jordanian
security services on providing increased security in our
residential areas. Police worked with RSO staff throughout
Tuesday night (10/28-10/29) identifying residences and
preparing plans on how best to provide a higher level of
security. Police coverage will consist of a combination of
marked and unmarked units, static positions, and foot patrols
which will work in the close vicinity of all Embassy
residences. The Embassy mobile patrols will continue their
24-hour checks of residences. Two Regional RSO TDYers are
scheduled to arrive in Amman on 10/29 to assist in
implementing our increased security posture.


4. (C) King Abdullah's Condolence Call to Virginia Foley and
Embassy Memorial Service: The King is scheduled to come to
the Ambassador's residence early afternoon of October 29 to
personally convey his condolences to Virginia Foley. At 1400
local time October 29 the Embassy will hold a memorial
service for Larry Foley at which Ambassador Gnehm and USAID
Jordan Director Toni Christiansen-Wagner will speak. All
employees and American family members have been invited to
attend.


5. (C) Arrangements for Return to U.S.: NEA A/S Burns is
scheduled to arrive in Amman the evening of October 29 from
Manama via milair. Also arriving this evening is AID Deputy
Administrator Fred Schieck. Separate milair is scheduled to
arrive in Amman on Wednesday morning October 30 to transport
Virginia Foley, the remains of Larry Foley, NEA A/S Burns,
USAID Deputy Administrator Schieck, and accompanying USAID
and DOS staff to Andrews AFB. Departure from Amman is
tentatively scheduled for 1400 on October 30.

GNEHM