UNMIK: JORDAN AWAITS INVESTIGATION RESULTS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 006211 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2014 TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC PTER KCRM YI KPKO JO UNMIK SUBJECT: UNMIK: JORDAN AWAITS INVESTIGATION RESULTS, PONDERS POLICE UNIT LEADERSHIP CHANGE REF: USUN 1685 Classified By: CDA David Hale for reasons 1.5 (b) (d) ¶1. (C) Charge discussed the status of Jordanian police units in Kosovo July 22 with Samir Rifai, Minister of the Royal Court to King Abdullah. Charge expressed serious USG concern over the apparent pattern of improper and violent behavior of Jordanian police personnel in UNMIK. Even if the UN report does not indicate sufficient evidence to support criminal charges against any Jordanian police officers, the conduct of the Jordanian officers has been below Jordan's usual high standard, and is a serious problem that the GOJ must address. He again asked that Jordan repatriate the personnel. ¶2. (C) Rifai said that Jordan takes its role in international peacekeeping and police operations very seriously. Jordan understands that there have been problems in Kosovo, but does not want to repatriate the police forces before it sees the results of the UN's investigation. The King, the government, and the Public Security Directorate (PSD - national police) are seized with the issue and will deal with it seriously and properly. King Abdullah, Rifai commented, was upset by the latest incident and, apart from the results of the investigation, is replacing the police unit's leadership. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: The Jordanians do not yet appear prepared to voluntarily repatriate their police forces from UNMIK short of a serious indictment in the UN report. We will continue to express our concerns to senior GOJ officials and press for serious action to address the problems. Jordan's UN PermRep, Prince Zeid, will remain in Amman through the week of July 25 and Charge will reinforce U.S. concerns with him directly. 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. HALE