Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04AMMAN2751
2004-04-12 14:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

IRAQ CONSUL AGAIN ISSUING INTERIM TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Tags:  IZ PREL JO 
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121418Z Apr 04
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 002751 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2014
TAGS: IZ PREL JO
SUBJECT: IRAQ CONSUL AGAIN ISSUING INTERIM TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
(ITD)

REF: AMMAN 01469

Classified By: Classified by DCM David Hale for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)

-----------
Summary
------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 002751

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2014
TAGS: IZ PREL JO
SUBJECT: IRAQ CONSUL AGAIN ISSUING INTERIM TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
(ITD)

REF: AMMAN 01469

Classified By: Classified by DCM David Hale for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) Iraq Consul Ahmad Jirallah Al-Dabbagh informed ConsOff
on April 1, 2004 that the Iraq Mission in Amman is back to
issuing Interim Travel Documents (ITD) to its citizens. As
of April 5, 2004, the Iraq Mission has issued a total of 377
ITDs. The Iraq Mission does not issue ITDs to those in
possession of expired passports extended by the Ministry of
Interior in Baghdad despite the fact that they are not
recognized by the U.S. as valid for travel. The Mission
determines identity and citizenship based on the presentation
of the old Civil Affairs identification card or the Iraq
Nationality/Citizenship Certificate--without one of the two
documents, no ITD is issued.

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ITD numbers
--------------


2. (C) Contrary to earlier reports (See Reftel) of an order
to stop ITD issuance, Iraq Consul Jirallah Al-Dabbagh told
ConsOff on April 1, 2004 that he is providing Interim Travel
Documents (ITD) to Iraqi citizens. He believes that the
majority of Iraqis who receive the ITD have been residing
illegally in Jordan and want to return to Iraq. He opined
that most either destroyed or discarded their passports for
the purpose of hiding their nationality and to avoid
deportation if caught. As of April 5, 2004, the Mission had
issued a cumulative total of 377 ITDs. The Mission does not
issue ITDs to Iraqis in possession of passports extended by
the Ministry of Interior in Baghdad despite the fact that
they are not recognized by the U.S. as valid for travel.

--------------
Establishing Identity and Citizenship
--------------


3. (C) Identity and citizenship are established by presenting
either the old Civil Affairs I.D. card or Certificate of
Nationality/Citizenship. Dabbagh said the Mission does not
issue ITDs to those without either of the two documents.
Dabbagh maintains a handwritten logbook that provides the
name, address, DPOB, I.D. card or certificate number, ITD
number and one photograph for each ITD recipient. The
Mission provides the individual with the original signed ITD,
maintains one copy at the Mission for records and sends one
to the Iraq MFA in Baghdad. The Mission sends ITDs to the
MFA every three to four days in batches.

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Comment
--------------


4. (C) In special circumstances the Mission will issue an ITD
to an individual in possession of a MOI-extended passport.
Upon request from Embassy Amman to support the CPA's mission
in Iraq, Dabbagh recently issued an ITD to an Iraqi in
possession of an MOI-extended passport for the purposes of
U.S. visa issuance. He did so only after speaking directly
with Consular section staff.


5. (U) CPA Baghdad minimize considered.

Visit Embassy Amman's classified website
athttp://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/
or access the site through the State Department's SIPRNET
home page.
Gnehm



GNEHM