IRAQ SANCTIONS IMPLEMENTATION UNDER JORDANIAN LAW

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 002775

SIPDIS

FOR L/UNA AND EB/ESC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2013
TAGS: PREL IZ JO UNSC
SUBJECT: IRAQ SANCTIONS IMPLEMENTATION UNDER JORDANIAN LAW

REF: STATE 123640

Classified By: A/DCM Doug Silliman, reasons 1.5 (b,d)


1. (c) Embassy has consulted with Trade Ministry and
Foreign Ministry officials to obtain answers to reftel
questions regarding sanctions implementation. Answers keyed
to reftel questions:

-- UNSCR 661 was implemented in Jordan by Prime Ministerial
decree. Within the context of the sanctions regime, Jordan
has maintained a trade relationship with Iraq throughout the
sanctions period. Jordan has exported to Iraq since 1991
through the OFF program, through small-scale private
sector-to-private sector trade (primarily in agricultural
products and detergents),and through a bilateral oil and
trade protocol under which Jordan imported free and
subsidized oil from Iraq in return for a similar value of
commercial goods. Jordan also imported small volumes of
agricultural products (primarily barley) from private
traders, and imported sulfur on a government-to-government
basis during the sanctions period. The U.N. "took note" of
the oil and trade protocols in its resolutions establishing
sanctions on Iraq.

-- Domestic measures to implement sanctions resolutions
consist of the aforementioned Prime Ministerial decree, and
could be reversed relatively easily. The PM would issue a
decree voiding trade restrictions. Such decrees implementing
UNSCR's are normal procedure for the GOJ, and would likely be
issued in a matter of days at most, according to our contacts.

-- Since a decree was needed to operationalize the UNSCR
imposing sanctions, a second decree would be necessary to
operationalize any new UNSCR lifting sanctions - the
resolution would not in itself be sufficient to begin
large-scale imports of Iraqi products. However, in light of
past behavior noted above, import of Iraqi goods prior to
issuance of such a decree would probably be tolerated.

-- As noted above, a decree reversing sanctions could be
issued "virtually overnight" if the cabinet so chose.

-- Not applicable.
GNEHM