Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04AMMAN2579
2004-04-04 13:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
JORDANIAN FINANCE MINISTER ON WANING ASSISTANCE
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 002579
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2024
TAGS: EFIN EPET JO PREL
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN FINANCE MINISTER ON WANING ASSISTANCE
FROM ARAB NEIGHBORS
Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm. Reasons 1.5 (B,D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 002579
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2024
TAGS: EFIN EPET JO PREL
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN FINANCE MINISTER ON WANING ASSISTANCE
FROM ARAB NEIGHBORS
Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm. Reasons 1.5 (B,D).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Jordan's Finance Minister revealed that
although Saudi Arabia had ended its oil donations to Jordan
as of April 1, Jordan had received and expected to continue
to receive further financial support from the United Arab
Emirates and Kuwait. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) In an April 1 meeting with the Ambassador and
Ecouns, Jordan's Finance Minister Mohammad Abu Hammour
revealed the latest on the aid it had been receiving from
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE in the year following the
fall of the Saddam Hussein regime. According to Abu Hammour,
during the first six months of the post-war period, Kuwait
had provided Jordan US$50 million in aid. Abu Hammour said
that the Kuwaiti Prime Minister had said that after
disbursing this allotment for the first six months, they
could then discuss what would happen for the following
six-month period. Nevertheless, Abu Hammour is expecting a
cash transfer from the Kuwaitis in early May for US$55-60
million more, depending on the price of oil at that time.
3. (C) In the case of Saudi Arabia, the Jordanian
government had asked the Saudis for continuation of its oil
assistance. Abu Hammour said he had been sending a letter to
them each month for some time requesting the continuation of
the 50,000 barrels/day shipments. However, he had recently
received a letter from the Saudis stating that, as of April
1, any oil they sent to Jordan must be paid for.
4. (C) In the case of the UAE, Jordan has so far received
US$37 million in assistance and expects to receive another
$70 million over the coming months.
5. (C) COMMENT: Abu Hammour was clearly disappointed with
the Saudi position and concern about the cost of oil is a
common refrain heard in government and business circles in
Amman. If oil prices continue at this level, he may be
forced to consider raising fuel prices again as soon as this
summer. (Septel will report on the rise in fuel charges
which began April 3 as well as on other recent Finance
Ministry successes.) END COMMENT.
GNEHM
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2024
TAGS: EFIN EPET JO PREL
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN FINANCE MINISTER ON WANING ASSISTANCE
FROM ARAB NEIGHBORS
Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm. Reasons 1.5 (B,D).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Jordan's Finance Minister revealed that
although Saudi Arabia had ended its oil donations to Jordan
as of April 1, Jordan had received and expected to continue
to receive further financial support from the United Arab
Emirates and Kuwait. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) In an April 1 meeting with the Ambassador and
Ecouns, Jordan's Finance Minister Mohammad Abu Hammour
revealed the latest on the aid it had been receiving from
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE in the year following the
fall of the Saddam Hussein regime. According to Abu Hammour,
during the first six months of the post-war period, Kuwait
had provided Jordan US$50 million in aid. Abu Hammour said
that the Kuwaiti Prime Minister had said that after
disbursing this allotment for the first six months, they
could then discuss what would happen for the following
six-month period. Nevertheless, Abu Hammour is expecting a
cash transfer from the Kuwaitis in early May for US$55-60
million more, depending on the price of oil at that time.
3. (C) In the case of Saudi Arabia, the Jordanian
government had asked the Saudis for continuation of its oil
assistance. Abu Hammour said he had been sending a letter to
them each month for some time requesting the continuation of
the 50,000 barrels/day shipments. However, he had recently
received a letter from the Saudis stating that, as of April
1, any oil they sent to Jordan must be paid for.
4. (C) In the case of the UAE, Jordan has so far received
US$37 million in assistance and expects to receive another
$70 million over the coming months.
5. (C) COMMENT: Abu Hammour was clearly disappointed with
the Saudi position and concern about the cost of oil is a
common refrain heard in government and business circles in
Amman. If oil prices continue at this level, he may be
forced to consider raising fuel prices again as soon as this
summer. (Septel will report on the rise in fuel charges
which began April 3 as well as on other recent Finance
Ministry successes.) END COMMENT.
GNEHM