JORDAN BRIEFED ON ESTABLISHING A U.S. MISSION IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003305 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/29/2014 TAGS: PREL AMGT IZ US JO SUBJECT: JORDAN BRIEFED ON ESTABLISHING A U.S. MISSION IN BAGHDAD REF: STATE 89241 Classified By: DCM David M. Hale for reasons 1.5 (b) (d) ¶1. (C) Per ref, PolCouns on April 26 briefed Ali al-Ayed, Foreign Minister Muasher's Private Office Director, and Manar Dabbas, Private Office U.S. Action Officer, on the establishment of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Ayed and Dabbas took extensive notes and said they would brief the Minister. ¶2. (C) In a separate conversation April 22, MFA Secretary General Omar Rifai told the DCM that the GOJ intended to upgrade its representation in Baghdad from charge to Ambassador at some point after the June 30 transfer of power, but had neither a nominee nor a firm date at this point. He noted that, given the August 2003 bombing of the old Jordanian Chancery building in western Baghdad, the GOJ is having trouble identifying and renting an appropriate new property. Landlords are afraid that the Jordanian Embassy will remain a target and do not want to risk an attack on their property. Ali al-Ayed told PolCouns that Jordan had identified a couple of acceptable properties, but that U.S. corporate contractors and easily outbid the GOJ for the leases. ¶3. (U) CPA Baghdad minimize considered. Visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ or access the site through the State Department's SIPRNET home page. GNEHM