TFIZ01:TRACKING IRAQI ASSETS IN JORDAN

S E C R E T AMMAN 002467 SIPDIS TREASURY FOR DAUFHAUSER/BFOX/BMURDEN/JZARATE/PASHIN NSC FOR JMYERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2008 TAGS: EFIN ETTC JO IZ UNSC SUBJECT: TFIZ01:TRACKING IRAQI ASSETS IN JORDAN REF: A. STATE 98752 ¶B. AMMAN 1914 Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm. Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (s) The GOJ has agreed to receive a small team of U.S. Treasury experts. Prime Minister Ali Abu Ragheb told the Ambassador on April 23 that Central Bank Governor Umayya Toukan would cooperate and work closely with the team to the extent consistent with Jordanian law. Abu Ragheb stressed that the visit would have to be very discreet and that there could be no publicity inside or outside of Jordan. ¶2. (s) Adding that he had consulted with Toukan (ECON/C had previously passed the contents of the request to Toukan),Abu Ragheb said there were portions of our request that they could certainly support. He thought, however, that it might not be possible to satisfy all of the expectations in reftel. In particular, the types of action against Iraqi front companies suggested in reftel might pose domestic legal complications. Interviews with non-GOJ officials might also be difficult to arrange. Nonetheless, Toukan and his associates would be ready to discuss these issues with the team. ¶3. (s) The embassy is likewise ready to work with a Treasury team. Please advise on expected arrival dates via a country clearance request. This request should also provide security level information for team members and fiscal data to cover the team's expenses (e.g., transportation, mobile phones). We can provide temporary office space to accomodate 2-3 people in the economic section. The Jordanian workweek is Sunday-Thursday. Please note that Sunday, April 27 is the local Easter holiday during which Jordanian offices and the embassy will be closed. GNEHM