SADDAM'S FAMILY IN JORDAN: UPDATE

S E C R E T AMMAN 006240 SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2025 TAGS: PTER MOPS PINR IZ JO SUBJECT: SADDAM'S FAMILY IN JORDAN: UPDATE REF: A. 04 AMMAN 03801 ¶B. 04 AMMAN 02069 ¶C. 04 AMMAN 01970 ¶D. 04 STATE 55050 ¶E. TD-314/46280-05 ¶F. TD-314/46286-05 ¶G. TD-314/46312-05 ¶H. TD-314/46263-05 Classified By: CDA DAVID HALE, REASONS 1.4 (B) & (C) ¶1. (C) Saddam's daughters Raghda and Rana took refuge in Amman in 2003 and still live in West Amman. (We understand another daughter, Hala, and Saddam's wife Sajida Khayrallah Tilfah reside chiefly in Doha.) ¶2. (S) In accordance with UNSCR 1483, paragraph 23(b),the names of the two Amman daughters were added to the UNSCR 1518 sanctions committee list in March 2004 (Ref D) requiring that all member states freeze the assets of those listed and return them to the Development Fund for Iraq. The Government of Jordan posed no objection to the 1518 listing (Ref C) and, at the USG's request (Refs B, C) investigated assets held by the two daughters preparatory to freezing them. Jordan's finance minister reported in May 2004 that no such accounts were found in Jordan (Ref A). ¶3. (C) Contacts in the GOJ have told us that Raghda and Rana, pleading poverty, have on occasion approached the palace for assistance, including money to send their children to private schools in Amman. The palace has probably granted some of these requests. ¶4. (S/NF) The Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate (GID) keeps a close watch on Saddam's family here. The King has assured Charge that the daughters are here only on condition that they avoid activities that could embarrass the GOJ. The GID keeps Amman RMAS regularly briefed on the family's activities (refs E through H). ¶5. (S/NF) We have from time to time heard accusations that the daughters are providing funding or other assistance to anti-coalition forces in Iraq. However, to date we have not been able to uncover any evidence in intelligence reporting, or from other sources, that would corroborate these claims. ¶6. (S) Comment: In post's assessment, the GOJ would expel Saddam's family from Jordan if the USG were to request it. However, we could well lose the close scrutiny and regular reporting on their activities we now enjoy from the Jordanians. HALE