Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06AMMAN8429
2006-11-14 16:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
FOLLOW-UP ON DEMARCHE ON DEBT RELIEF FOR IRAQ
how-toVZCZCXYZ0021 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAM #8429 3181600 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141600Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5580 INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008429
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2021
TAGS: ECON EFIN IZ JO
SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP ON DEMARCHE ON DEBT RELIEF FOR IRAQ
REF: AMMAN 8363
Classified By: Ambassador David Hale, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008429
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2021
TAGS: ECON EFIN IZ JO
SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP ON DEMARCHE ON DEBT RELIEF FOR IRAQ
REF: AMMAN 8363
Classified By: Ambassador David Hale, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) As reported in reftel, the Ambassador followed up
earlier demarches on Iraqi debt relief in a meeting with
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ziad Fariz on
November 13. According to Fariz, he had "gotten nowhere" in
his discussions on the Jordanian claims on Iraq left over
from the pre-2003 Iraq-Jordan trade protocol. Fariz said the
Iraqis continued to insist on Paris Club treatment -
forgiveness of 80% of the claim. However, Fariz said that
Jordan does not have the financial resources to make that
commitment. Fariz asked whether the Ambassador could help
with the Iraqis. The Ambassador demurred, noting we supported
Iraq's position and also viewed the debt as subject to the
Paris Club; and he also said that such a move could open the
floodgates for countries unwilling or unable to follow the
Paris Club agreement guidelines on Iraqi debt forgiveness.
2. (C) Contrary to early reports to the contrary, Fariz said
that the oil deal with Iraq (Amman 7668 and previous) was not
tied to a drawdown of the trade protocol account.
HALE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2021
TAGS: ECON EFIN IZ JO
SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP ON DEMARCHE ON DEBT RELIEF FOR IRAQ
REF: AMMAN 8363
Classified By: Ambassador David Hale, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) As reported in reftel, the Ambassador followed up
earlier demarches on Iraqi debt relief in a meeting with
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ziad Fariz on
November 13. According to Fariz, he had "gotten nowhere" in
his discussions on the Jordanian claims on Iraq left over
from the pre-2003 Iraq-Jordan trade protocol. Fariz said the
Iraqis continued to insist on Paris Club treatment -
forgiveness of 80% of the claim. However, Fariz said that
Jordan does not have the financial resources to make that
commitment. Fariz asked whether the Ambassador could help
with the Iraqis. The Ambassador demurred, noting we supported
Iraq's position and also viewed the debt as subject to the
Paris Club; and he also said that such a move could open the
floodgates for countries unwilling or unable to follow the
Paris Club agreement guidelines on Iraqi debt forgiveness.
2. (C) Contrary to early reports to the contrary, Fariz said
that the oil deal with Iraq (Amman 7668 and previous) was not
tied to a drawdown of the trade protocol account.
HALE