TF1ZO1: AMMAN SITREP 4 (3/21 0800 LOCAL)

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 001702 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2013 TAGS: AEMR AMGT CASC CVIS IZ JO SUBJECT: TF1ZO1: AMMAN SITREP 4 (3/21 0800 LOCAL) REF: A. FBIS GMP20030320000252 ¶B. AMMAN 1701 Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm, Reason 1.5 (b,d). -------------- General Overview -------------- ¶1. (C) UNHCR contacts report that oil tanker trucks coming in from Iraq to Jordan have stopped entirely as of 2130 local time March 20. -------------- Consular Issues -------------- ¶2. (U) No new developments since previous sitrep. -------------- GOJ Actions/Statements -------------- ¶3. (U) Petra news agency reported an announcement by Interior Minister Qaftan al Majali that under current law, prior approval from the GOJ is required for all demonstrations and sit-ins. He said violators would be prosecuted "firmly" to preserve public order (ref a). -------------- Security -------------- ¶4. (C) Local news reports highlighted student demonstrations at the University of Jordan in Amman and the Jordan Univerity of Science and Technology in Irbid on March 20. PSD has not reported any confrontations resulting from the demonstrations. Embassy sources have confirmed press reports that the GOJ has rounded up an indeterminate number of "Islamic activists" in anticipation of additional demonstrations in Amman and elsewhere following Friday prayers. -------------- Refugee/Humanitarian Issues -------------- ¶5. (C) UNHCR reports the Jordan-Iraq border remains open. Two new possible refugee cases, both Sudanese citizens seeking return to Sudan, have been identified. GOJ Information Minister Mohammed Al Adwan denied press reports that the Jordan-Iraq border has been closed, but noted that the designation of the eastern desert as a closed military zone would restrict movements into and out of the area (ref b). -------------- Press -------------- ¶6. (U) No new developments since previous sitrep. GNEHM