OFFICIAL/INFORMAL FOR DCM AMBASSADOR JAMES JEFFREY

UNCLAS AMMAN 005430 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FROM DAVID HALE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EINV EFIN JO IZ SUBJECT: OFFICIAL/INFORMAL FOR DCM AMBASSADOR JAMES JEFFREY ¶1. (SBU) Post personnel have recently been in contact with a Jordanian conference organizer who has expressed his readiness to organize a conference focusing on investing opportunities in both Iraq and Jordan. The conference, tentatively planned to be held in Amman and dated October 5-7, would be the first to focus primarily upon portfolio/capital investment opportunities in both countries (previous conferences have focused primarily upon contracting and foreign direct investment opportunities). We feel that such a conference would be of substantial benefit to the economies of both Jordan and Iraq in giving fund managers a greater comfort level with the regulatory structures and true level of risk in both countries. An informal sounding of American fund managers has indicated a high level of interest in such a conference among this target group. ¶2. (SBU) Although the proposed conference will likely happen with or without us, we feel that the potential benefits for USG interests warrant Post's support in facilitating the conference's success. We remain aware that for such efforts to be a success, we will need to cooperate closely with Embassy Baghdad. For this reason, we would appreciate Embassy Baghdad's help in designating a point of contact with whom we may deal on issues relating to this conference. If Embassy Baghdad is supportive, we can provide a draft, joint cable from Embassy Amman and Embassy Baghdad, announcing the upcoming conference and soliciting U.S. agencies' support. ¶3. (SBU) Points of contact on this issue in Embassy Amman will be Laurie Farris (laurie.farris@mail.doc.gov),CAPT Caroline Pogge (caroline.pogge@us.army.mil),and James Flowers (FlowersJH@state.gov). ¶4. (SBU) We welcome the opening of Embassy Baghdad and see our cooperation on this issue as the beginning of what we hope will be a close post-to-post relationship. GNEHM