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