Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN2204
2003-04-10 15:45:00
SECRET
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

TFIZO1: AMMAN SITREP 33 (4/10 1845 LOCAL)

Tags:  AEMR AMGT PREL ASEC CASC CVIS EFIN ETRD IZ JO 
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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 002204 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2013
TAGS: AEMR AMGT PREL ASEC CASC CVIS EFIN ETRD IZ JO
SUBJECT: TFIZO1: AMMAN SITREP 33 (4/10 1845 LOCAL)

REF: (A) FBIS GMP20030409000226

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

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

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 002204

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2013
TAGS: AEMR AMGT PREL ASEC CASC CVIS EFIN ETRD IZ JO
SUBJECT: TFIZO1: AMMAN SITREP 33 (4/10 1845 LOCAL)

REF: (A) FBIS GMP20030409000226

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

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


1. (C) Most Jordanians are still sorting through the complex
emotions unleashed by the events of the past 24 hours in
Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq. Many appear in a state of
shock that Saddam's rule collapsed so quickly, depressed that
"once again the Arabs have lost," and uncomfortable with the
sight of American troops occupying a historic Arab capital.
Generally, however, they are relieved -- relieved that their
worst nightmares about the war's impact on Jordan failed to
occur and relieved that the human suffering of Iraqis appears
close to an end. Most continue to remain deeply skeptical of
U.S. motives and fear that Israel will use these events to
its advantage against the Palestinians. It is clear that
many are struggling to reconcile their disappointment and
shock with the undeniable scenes of joy in Baghdad.


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


2. (U) See para 11 below.

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


3. (U) In an April 9 letter addressed to PM Ali Abul Ragheb,
King Abdullah directed the GOJ to "take all necessary
measures to launch a national campaign to extend humanitarian
aid and secure essential medical and food supplies to the
Iraqi people." (Jordan Times April 10)


4. (U) Minister of Information Mohammad al-Adwan stated April
9 that Jordan would not "interfere in the issue of
determining the future government of Iraq. The future and
destiny of Iraq should be in the hands of its people. Jordan
will under no circumstances accept division of Iraq." (Jordan
Times, April 10)


5. (U) Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher, Minister of Energy
and Mineral Resources Mohammed Batayneh, and Minister of
Information Adwan April 9 all categorically denied rumors

that Jordanian and Israeli officials will meet to discuss the
possibility of restarting an old oil pipeline linking Iraq to
the Israeli port of Haifa through Jordan. Adwan stated that
"no contacts have been made with anyone regarding such an
issue." Batayneh characterized the rumors as "groundless and
totally untrue." (Jordan Times April 10). FM Muasher echoed
these statements in an April 9 interview on Al-Jazeera and
added that "any improvement in relations with Israel is
contingent on how the Israeli government is responsive with
the Middle East peace efforts." (ref A)
--------------
Security
--------------


6. (C) The investigation into the April 8 shooting incident
involving an Embassy TDYer continues (septel). This evening
two public gatherings in Amman are planned in response to the
Jordanian journalist killed in Iraq. As of 1500 local, the
PSD has not yet confirmed whether any demonstrations or
gatherings are expected for this weekend.

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


7. (U) No new issues.

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


8. (S) The Jordan-Iraq border remains open. CENTCOM sources
report that Iraqi officials have abandoned their border
posting, leaving the Iraqi side of the Karameh border
crossing unstaffed and vacant. One report said the Iraqi
border officials reportedly joined the 100-plus car convoy of
journalists headed east on Hwy 10; but in fact that convoy
decided to remain near the border overnight. CENTCOM
elements indicate that U.S. forces are moving to control the
now abandoned Iraqi border checkpoints with Jordan (Karameh)
and Syria (near the Syrian town of at-Tanf).


9. (SBU) IOM reports that 11 TCNs crossed the border into
Jordan on April 9. No TCNs or Iraqi refugees have crossed
into Jordan today. IOM is repatriating 38 Moroccans, 14
Somalis and 3 Iraqis with Egyptian travel documents later
today. The total TCN transit camp population hovers around
200, comprised of Somali and Sudanese nationals who do not
want to be repatriated, 24 undocumented Palestinians and six
Iraqi refugees. The Jordan Red Crescent agreed to house the
Iraqi refugees indefinitely, as it would not be
cost-effective for UNHCR to open its camp for only six
refugees. IOM is in the process of scaling down its TCN
transit operations and will leave only 1 international and 8
locally hired employees in Ruwaished.


10. (SBU) UNHCR and IOM hope to convince the Government of
Jordan to allow the 24 Palestinians to join relatives in
Amman, provided those relatives provide letters of guarantee.
They are meeting with the GOJ later this afternoon to
discuss the issue.

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


11. (SBU) A large convoy of journalists, including Amcits, is
crossing into Iraq from Jordan today. The convoy, estimated
at between 75 and 120 vehicles, was at the border at
approximately 1330 local. It was expected to break up into
multiple convoys once having crossed into Iraq. Embassy
Amman and CENTCOM Public Affairs liaison have continued to
urge strongly against travel into what remains an active
battle area. We have told all who will listen that there can
be no guarantee of security offered by Coalition military
forces. The Government of Jordan has come under intense
pressure from the journalists to allow passage, and we
understand they are processing the group slowly through the
border. We have informed CENTCOM of the issue. We do not
have a complete list of who is in this group of journalists.
According to CBS, Dan Rather is among them. Rather is
determined, apparently, to reach Baghdad tonight. Others
simply want to get inside Iraq so that they can file
datelines from inside Iraqi territory. The Consular Section
is prepared to assist any Amcit journalists who may encounter
problems and return to Jordan. We will continue to follow
this situation closely and will provide updates to the CMS
Task Force via e-mail as they become available.

GNEHM