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

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. -------------- 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. -------------- 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. -------------- Security -------------- ¶5. (U) No new issues. -------------- 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. -------------- Refugee/Humanitarian Issues -------------- ¶8. (U) No new issues. -------------- Press -------------- ¶9. (U) No new issues. GNEHM