JORDANIAN SUPPORT FOR THE IRAQI ASSET HUNT

1. (S/NF) Expressing appreciation for Jordan's cooperation
in tracking Iraqi assets, the Charge explained to Prime
Minister Ali Abul Ragheb August 28 that the investigation had
reached a stage where more specific information was needed
about individual accounts, companies and methods. He pressed
the Prime Minister to authorize continued discrete
cooperation between U.S. investigators and Jordanian
officials in the areas identified in reftel.



2. (S/NF) Abul Ragheb said he would consult with his
ministers on a response. In general, however, he thought it
was best to "let the past be the past." It was futile, he
said, to put too much energy into this effort since Iraqi
businessmen and their Jordanian henchmen had been very clever
in disguising their transactions. The pending request for
detailed information on companies was particularly difficult,
he said, because companies mentioned were Jordanian firms
that did legitimate business in Jordan -- whatever else they
might have been involved in -- and were protected by
Jordanian bank secrecy. The Charge stressed our interest in
recovering stolen assets, not investigating possible past
sanctions violations.



3. (S/NF) Abul Ragheb added that the Iraqi General Council
delegation that visited Amman earlier in the week (septel)
had raised with him their interest in the quick return of
Iraqi assets frozen by Jordan. Abul Ragheb said that this
was one of a number of financial and trade issues, including
the Central Bank of Jordan claims on Iraq and the status of
pending deliveries under the bilateral trade protocol, that
needed to be discussed between the two countries.



4. (S/NF) Comment: As the PM's unforthcoming response
suggests, we are not confident in quick progress on this
issue. We will also raise the request in intelligence
channels. Planned U.S.-Jordanian meetings in Washington next
month, including the King's visit, would be other
opportunities to drive home our points. Although he is not
personally involved in the issue, Planning Minister
Awadallah's September 4 meeting with Treasury U/S Taylor
would be a chance for Treasury to press a senior Jordanian
who is close to the King.
HALE