Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN7830
2003-12-02 16:49:00
SECRET
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

JORDAN: FOLLOWUP WITH PM ON FROZEN ASSETS ISSUE

Tags:  ETTC EFIN PREL 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.

021649Z Dec 03
S E C R E T AMMAN 007830 

SIPDIS

TREASURY FOR DAS ZARATE
TREASURY FOR OASIA -- MILLS, NUGENT, DEMOPULOS
NSC FOR KIFAYAT
CPA FOR WOLFE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2008
TAGS: ETTC EFIN PREL JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: FOLLOWUP WITH PM ON FROZEN ASSETS ISSUE

REF: AMMAN 7691

Classified By: David Hale, Charge d'affaires, a.i. Reasons 1.5 b and d
.

S E C R E T AMMAN 007830

SIPDIS

TREASURY FOR DAS ZARATE
TREASURY FOR OASIA -- MILLS, NUGENT, DEMOPULOS
NSC FOR KIFAYAT
CPA FOR WOLFE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2008
TAGS: ETTC EFIN PREL JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: FOLLOWUP WITH PM ON FROZEN ASSETS ISSUE

REF: AMMAN 7691

Classified By: David Hale, Charge d'affaires, a.i. Reasons 1.5 b and d
.


1. (S) Charge and ECON/C called on Prime Minister Fayez
December 2 to follow-up on the discussion of Iraq assets
issues during A/S Burns visit (septel). Adding a new
element, the PM said that the GOJ "technical committee"
evaluating Jordanian trade claims against Iraq now hoped to
finish its work in "about one month." At that time, Fayez
said, the entire amount remaining not subject to (accepted)
claims would be transferred to the Development Fund for Iraq.
In the meantime, Fayez said another $35 million would be
transferred to the DFI within two weeks "as a sign of
goodwill." Asked about the prior commitment to transfer $150
million quickly, the PM reiterated that the full amount not
subject to accepted claims would be transferred in about a
month. Asked by the Charge if Iraqis could participate in
the evaluation of the claims, the PM said that would not be a
problem. The Charge said he would pursue this with Finance
Minister Abu Hammour.

2 (S) The Prime Minister said that it was very important
that the issue of the $1.3 billion in Central Bank claims be
addressed. He looked forward to receiving a USG team
empowered to discuss this issue. He added that he would
welcome Iraqi participation in this team.


3. (S) The Charge asked for additional GOJ assistance to
the Treasury team currently in Amman tracking Iraqi assets.
In particular, the Charge transmitted the team's request for
information on international wire transfers into and out of
Iraqi accounts and provided a list of additional accounts on
which the team would like transaction and wire transfer
information. The Prime Minister replied that he had thought
that former Prime Minister Abul Ragheb had made it clear to
U.S. officials in Washington in August that bank secrecy laws
prevented any further Jordanian assistance on these "private"
accounts, and that the matter was closed. The Charge and
ECON/C explained that we were only interested in accounts
that had already been identified by the GOJ and on which the
GOJ had already provided information. Fayez said he would
discuss the issue with Abul Ragheb and get back to us. (We
left an aide-memoire detailing the request.)


4. (S) Comment: The Prime Minister appeared confused on
all the issues discussed, and muddied them. We will try to
make progress with Deputy Prime Minister Halaiqa and Finance
Minister Abu Hammour. It could also be useful if U.S.
officials find an appropriate opportunity to raise these
issues -- particularly the request for assistance in tracking
assets -- with Jordanian ministers in Washington this week.
We look forward to receiving a U.S. team to discuss the $1.3
billion issue, and agree that Iraqi participation could be
useful.
HALE