TFIZO1: AMMAN SITREP 37 (4/16 1600 LOCAL)

1. (C) Embassy staff are allowed greater freedom of movement
although restrictions are still in place.



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Consular Issues


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2. (SBU) On April 16 ICRC contacted Embassy to report an
AMCIT in Baghdad had approached their office there with a
request that he be returned to the US. He also requested the
same assistance for his wife and daughter, who are not
AMCITS, and he claimed he has filed immigration petitions for
his wife and daughter in Amman. We are in the process of
verification.



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GOJ Actions/Statements


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3. (C) Nothing new to report.



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Security


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4. (U) Situation remains stable; no new developments to
report.



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Economic and Trade Developments


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5. (U) Nothing new to report.



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Refugee/Humanitarian Issues


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6. (C) UNHCR reported April 16 that 220 persons currently are
being held in "no-man's land" at the Jordan-Iraq border. Six
Syrians reportedly arrived the night of April 15/16. In an
April 16 telcon, the Ambassador urged Minister of State
Shaher Bak to allow these groups to remain in "no-man's land"
until an appropriate solution can be found and reminded the
GOJ of its obligation to grant temporary admission and
protection to all legitimate asylum seekers. He also urged
the GOJ to allow seven Iraqis and four Palestinians to move
from "no-man's land" into the Ruweished camps, as had been
pledged to UNHCR on April 15. Bak said the GOJ would allow
the 200-plus Iranians to remain in "no-man's land" until a
solution could be found and had directed GOJ authorities to
assist in the construction of additional humanitarian
infrastructure in "no-man's land." Bak also promised to look
into the case of the seven Iraqis and four Palestinians.



7. (SBU) IOM reports that increasing numbers of TCNs are
entering Jordan: 75 on April 15 and 65 by 12:00 pm today.
Recent TCN arrivals report that Iraqis in Baghdad are
threatening foreign workers and pressuring them to leave,
telling them that they were guests of Saddam and no longer
are welcome in Baghdad. IOM expects TCN arrivals to increase
still further and is increasing staff at the border and
Ruweished.



8. (C) According to PLO Refugee Affairs Rep Mohammed Abu
Bakr, 60-70 Palestinian families were expelled from their
homes in Baghdad on April 14. They reportedly have gathered
at a park. It is unclear whether they were expelled by
returning landlords or for political reasons. (Long-term
Palestinian residents of Iraq are viewed by some Iraqis as
supporters of the Saddam regime and hence are vulnerable to
political reprisals.) We have alerted the ICRC of this
matter.


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Press


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9. (U) Media reaction on Syria-USG "standoff" indicates some
editorial writers believe the USG is "bluffing." (reftel).
GNEHM