AFTER THE BOMBING, JORDAN REQUESTS U.S. PROTECTION

S E C R E T AMMAN 005041 SIPDIS CENTCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2013 TAGS: PREL MOPS PTER IZ US JO SUBJECT: AFTER THE BOMBING, JORDAN REQUESTS U.S. PROTECTION FOR ITS RELOCATED MISSION IN BAGHDAD REF: AMMAN 5006 Classified By: PolCouns Doug Silliman for reasons 1.5 (B)(D) -------------- -------------- GOJ REQUESTS USG SECURITY FOR NEW BAGHDAD MISSION -------------- -------------- ¶1. (S) Ali al-Ayed, Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher's Private Office Director, told PolCouns August 10 that, despite the August 7 bombing of the Jordanian Embassy building in Baghdad (ref),Jordan wishes to maintain a diplomatic and security presence in Baghdad. Al-Ayed said Jordan hopes to move its operations from the ruined chancery into the current Ambassador's residence. In light of the "obviously high risk" to Jordanian personnel in Baghdad, al-Ayed said the GOJ is formally requesting USG security protection for the relocated Jordanian mission. ¶2. (S) Al-Ayed said that the USG's agreement (or refusal) to provide "sufficient and complete security" for the relocated chancery in Baghdad would weigh heavily in Jordan's decision to maintain its presence, and the level of activity and visibility of that presence. Al-Ayed said the GOJ has indications the Jordanian presence in Iraq is already being targeted for a second attack. "We can't let this happen again. We don't want to pack it in and let the terrorists win." -------------- SECURITY AT THE ALTERNATE CHANCERY SITE -------------- ¶3. (C) Al-Ayed said the old Jordanian Ambassador's residence is located in a quiet part of the al-Mansour neighborhood of Baghdad, and that several other diplomatic properties are located on the same block: the Moroccan Embassy, the Libyan Embassy, and the Libyan Ambassador's residence. The residence is a large house that has a 25 meter setback from the street in front. He said that the GOJ would take some measures to increase physical security at the site, e.g. by installing jersey barriers. However, he asked for USG assistance in providing "a more visible deterrent" to new attacks, such as drop bars on the street or permanent static U.S. military positions in the neighborhood. "After the bombing, we are a special case, and we need (the USG's) help." -------------- ONE JORDANIAN DIES IN BOMBING -------------- ¶4. (C) Al-Ayed mentioned that the GOJ has determined that one of those killed in the August 7 blast was a Jordanian citizen resident in Iraq. The Jordanian, he said, had apparently been standing in line for consular services outside the Embassy at the time of the bombing. No Jordanian government employees had been killed, although some had been injured, including one security officer whose leg had been crushed in the explosion. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (C) Given the helpful role Jordan wishes to play in rebuilding Iraq, we should do what we can on the security front to encourage an active Jordanian presence in Baghdad. ¶6. (U) CPA Baghdad minimize considered. HALE