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