Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN6414
2003-10-07 07:17:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

JORDAN-IRAQ: POLICE TRAINING, DEBT, CHALABI,

Tags:  PREL MARR IS IZ JO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 006414 

SIPDIS

NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2013
TAGS: PREL MARR IS IZ JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN-IRAQ: POLICE TRAINING, DEBT, CHALABI,
EMBASSY SECURITY IN BAGHDAD

Classified By: Amb. Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (b)(d)

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SUMMARY
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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 006414

SIPDIS

NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2013
TAGS: PREL MARR IS IZ JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN-IRAQ: POLICE TRAINING, DEBT, CHALABI,
EMBASSY SECURITY IN BAGHDAD

Classified By: Amb. Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (b)(d)

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SUMMARY
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1. (S) Foreign Minister Muasher said October 5 that Jordan
will continue its pragmatic, cooperative relationship with
the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) and will send a ministerial
representative to the Madrid donors' meeting. However, he
expressed concern that an escalating war of words with IGC
member Ahmed Chalabi could negatively affect Jordan-Iraq
relations, and asked for the U.S. to intervene with Chalabi
and explain the importance of Jordan for Iraq and the U.S.
Muasher said he wants to return the Jordanian Charge to
Baghdad, and will send in a security team soon to examine
options for a new chancery. He asked for CPA assistance and
greater security protection for the new facility. END
SUMMARY.

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JORDAN WANTS TO TALK TRADE, DEBT
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2. (S) The Ambassador met with Foreign Minister Marwan
Muasher October 5 (other topics septels, notal). Muasher's
Office Director Ali al-Ayed and PolCouns sat in. The
Ambassador noted that the GOJ and CPA were near agreement on
a memorandum to provide police training in Jordan for as many
as 30,000 Iraqi police cadets, and outlined U.S. plans to
accomplish the training. He mentioned that plans were also
under way for Jordan to facilitate similar training for the
new Iraqi Army.


3. (C) Muasher said the GOJ will maintain its policy of
dealing pragmatically and productively with the CPA and IGC.
In this context, Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb wants to make
contact with members of the IGC or interim Iraqi ministers to
discuss trade and debt issues. He said Iraqi interim Foreign
Minister Hoshyar Zebari had told him on the margins of the
UNGA last week that the IGC is ready to discuss these issues.
Muasher said that Jordan would be represented by either
Finance Minister Michel Marto or Planning Minister Bassam
Awadallah at the upcoming Madrid donors' meeting, where
Jordan would be willing to brief on its plans to support
Iraqi police training.

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"WE'RE WITH THE GOVERNING COUNCIL, EXCEPT ONE GUY"
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4. (S) Muasher next asked the Ambassador how Jordan should
handle the presence of INC leader Ahmed Chalabi on the IGC.
Although Jordan cannot drop its bank fraud charges against
Chalabi, the GOJ wants to put the public sniping with Chalabi
"behind us" and does not want it to affect Jordan's
relationship with Iraq. Unfortunately, he continued, Chalabi
has people throughout the Iraqi government -- including in
ministries of great importance to Jordan, like Health.
Muasher expressed apprehension that Chalabi may instruct his
supporters not to deal with Jordan, to the detriment of both
countries. Muasher asked that the U.S. try to convince
Chalabi of the importance of Jordan's relationship with Iraq
and the U.S. "Jordan is your friend and ally," he argued,
"and Chalabi needs to know that."

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BAD SECURITY HINDERING RETURN OF EMBASSY STAFF TO BAGHDAD
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5. (S) Muasher said that, given the breadth and growing
depth of Jordan's relations with the new Iraqi government, he
needs to return his charge d'affaires to Baghdad as soon as
possible. However, the current embassy facility -- the
former Ambassador's residence -- is unsafe and inappropriate
for use as a chancery. He said he would send a team from the
MFA and General Intelligence Directorate (GID) to Baghdad in
the near future to locate and rent a more appropriate
facility. Jordan is willing to provide "ten or twenty guys"
to provide some of the security at a new embassy building,
but "I can't send tanks and rocket launchers." Given
Jordan's growing importance in Iraq and the August bombing of
its Embassy, "I can't see why you can't provide us more
security. With our actions (in support of Iraq and the
coalition),we are developing real enemies there."


6. (S/NF) The Jordanian Charge in Baghdad, Dimae Haddad
(currently visiting Amman),confirmed to PolCouns October 6
that he plans to return to Baghdad on October 12 with an
interagency committee to provide Muasher with recommendations
on possible new embassy sites. He hopes to work with CPA,
the Iraqi police, and ORCA Baghdad on this project.

COMMENT
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7. (S) Given the growing involvement of Jordan in support
of the coalition, CPA, and the IGC, we encourage CPA to work
with the Jordanians to secure a new embassy site when they
locate one.


8. (U) CPA Baghdad minimize considered.

Visit Embassy Amman's classified website at

http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/

or access the site through the State Department's SIPRNET
home page.
GNEHM