IRAQI ASSETS FOLLOW-UP

S E C R E T AMMAN 003060 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2024 TAGS: EFIN IZ JO PREL SUBJECT: IRAQI ASSETS FOLLOW-UP REF: A. AMMAN 01970 ¶B. STATE 78081 ¶C. AMMAN 02189 ¶D. SCHEDLBAUER E-MAIL 4/4/04 Classified By: CDA DAVID M. HALE FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D). (S/NF) We understand from ref D that there is the possibility of a visit by an IRS team to look at the underlying financial records for the accounts of the companies involved in the purchase of Iraqi goods subject to claims (Ref A). IRS teams have visited Jordan previously to review specific accounts connected with Rafidain Bank, with no opposition from the government. However, given Jordan's bank secrecy laws, we doubt the IRS would be given access to all banks with accounts belonging to companies with claims. Nonetheless, if instructed we could ask Jordanian authorities for permission. HALE