JORDANIAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES UN CONVENTION FOR

UNCLAS AMMAN 000521 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN KTFN PGOV JO SUBJECT: JORDANIAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES UN CONVENTION FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM ¶1. In a January 8 session, the Jordanian Parliament ratified the UN Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. While the vote breakdown was not publicized, Post understands that it was by a wide margin. ¶2. The majority of objections were raised by Islamic Action Front (IAF) MPs who argued that there was no need for the Convention, since local laws are sufficient to deal with terrorism. Other objections included fear that ratifying the Convention will dry up sources for funds for charities and humanitarian organizations, that it is un-Islamic, and that it will target funds destined for Arab and Islamic "resistance in Palestine." Hale