Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN1955
2003-04-02 05:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

TFIZO1: AMMAN SITREP 24 (4/02 1000 LOCAL)

Tags:  AEMR AMGT PREL ASEC CASC CVIS EFIN ETRD IZ JO 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001955 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2013
TAGS: AEMR AMGT PREL ASEC CASC CVIS EFIN ETRD IZ JO
SUBJECT: TFIZO1: AMMAN SITREP 24 (4/02 1000 LOCAL)


Classified By: DCM Gregory L. Berry for reasons 1.5 (B)(D).

----------------
General Overview
----------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001955

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2013
TAGS: AEMR AMGT PREL ASEC CASC CVIS EFIN ETRD IZ JO
SUBJECT: TFIZO1: AMMAN SITREP 24 (4/02 1000 LOCAL)


Classified By: DCM Gregory L. Berry for reasons 1.5 (B)(D).

--------------
General Overview
--------------


1. (C) The Embassy is operating on a normal schedule April

2. Consular services are open. Activities at the American
Language Center remain suspended, and there is only
restricted activity by FSN's at the Peace Corps office.
Movements of American staff remain restricted.

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Consular Issues
--------------


2. (U) Amcit freelance reporter Molly Bingham arrived in
Jordan late night April 1 following her release from Baghdad
by Iraqi authorities. Accompanying Bingham were Newsday
journalists Matthew McAllester and Moise Saman, Danish
reporter Johan Spanner, and Amcit peace activist Phillip
Latasa. Consular chief met the group upon their arrival in
Amman very early morning April 2. Despite being exhausted,
all were in good physical condition and required no immediate
medical attention.


3. (C) According to DAO contacts, a total of 26 people were
released by Iraqi authorities April 1, a mix of journalists,
activists and others, including the journalists listed above
and an unconfirmed number of other Amcits. These sources
tell DAO that Iraq plans to release another 12 detainees
April 2. Identities of the detainees is unknown.

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GOJ Actions/Statements
--------------


4. (U) GOJ news agency Petra reported the King's statement
made during an April meeting with ministers in which he
"voiced his approval of the measures that the government is
taking to deal with the difficult circumstances." In his
statement, the King commented on the ability of the
government to "meet the food needs of citizens," called for
"all concerned parties to guarantee the protection of Iraqi
citizens," and voiced "approval of the responsible reaction
that Jordanians showed" in their protests and demonstrations.
Separately, Petra also reported that, during a telephone
call with Canadian PM Chretien, the King expressed deep
concern about the suffering of the Iraqi people. He
reportedly called for "utmost efforts" to stop the war.

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Security
--------------


5. (U) No new issues.

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Economic and Trade Developments
--------------


6. (C) The cabinet met April 1 to form a special committee
of ministers with economic portfolios and led by Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Justice Faris Nabulsi. The special
committee will be tasked with studying the impact of the war
on Jordan's economy and making recommendations to the
government for managing any negative impacts.


7. (SBU) The government on April 1 authorized a transfer of
JD 5 million ($7.05 million) to Royal Jordanian Airlines to
offset extraordinary costs associated with the war.

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Refugee/Humanitarian Issues
--------------


8. (U) No new issues.

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Press
--------------

9. (U) No new issues.
GNEHM