Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JERUSALEM1145
2006-03-21 14:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
RAISING ISSUE OF 89 PALESTINIANS ON THE
how-toVZCZCXRO6667 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHJM #1145 0801435 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211435Z MAR 06 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 0041 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1017 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 6390 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 1160 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001145
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MUSTAFA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2016
TAGS: PREF KPAL PHUM PINS KCRS MOPS IZ PA JO
SUBJECT: RAISING ISSUE OF 89 PALESTINIANS ON THE
JORDAN-IRAQ BORDER
REF: A. BAGHDAD 918
B. AMMAN 2046
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001145
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MUSTAFA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2016
TAGS: PREF KPAL PHUM PINS KCRS MOPS IZ PA JO
SUBJECT: RAISING ISSUE OF 89 PALESTINIANS ON THE
JORDAN-IRAQ BORDER
REF: A. BAGHDAD 918
B. AMMAN 2046
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) In connection with ref (a),Con Gen Pol specialist
contacted Azzam Ahmad, head of the Fatah PLC faction and
former PLO ambassador to Baghdad. Post stressed the need for
the PA to do everything possible to keep other Palestinians
from leaving Baghdad for Jordan and indicated that we are in
contact with US authorities in Iraq regarding the plight of
Palestinians in Baghdad. (Note: The options for these
Palestinians are limited. In addition to concerns raised by
the GOJ (ref (b)),it is also highly unlikely that the GOI
would permit them to enter into the West Bank or Gaza. End
note.)
2. (C) Ahmad said that the Palestinian community in Iraq
believes strongly that Iraqi security forces in the MOI and
MOD are behind the recent killings of Palestinians. Despite
the Jordanian refusal to allow entry, Ahmad said that the
desire of Palestinians to move is increasing. He is in
contact with Palestinian representatives in Baghdad and is
urging calm; however, given the recent rise in tensions and
killings, Ahmad says that his efforts have been fruitless.
3. (C) Ahmad said that, based on his experience in Iraq, he
does not believe the situation will improve and thinks it
would be better for Palestinians to leave the country. Until
that time, Ahmad said he would request that US troops - and
not Iraqi troops - patrol the Palestinian neighborhood of
al-Baladiyat. Ahmad said that, in past flare-ups, the
presence of US troops has prevented reprisals. He also asked
that the US Embassy in Baghdad push Iraqi MOI officials to
"stop reprisals." Ahmad said he would work to continue to
prevent Palestinians from heading to the borders, but said it
would be difficult if the reprisal attacks continue.
4. (C) Polchief is due to meet with Ahmad on March 23 to
discuss this and other topics. Any additional information
that Embassy Baghdad can provide on the situation or planning
efforts would be appreciated.
WALLES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MUSTAFA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2016
TAGS: PREF KPAL PHUM PINS KCRS MOPS IZ PA JO
SUBJECT: RAISING ISSUE OF 89 PALESTINIANS ON THE
JORDAN-IRAQ BORDER
REF: A. BAGHDAD 918
B. AMMAN 2046
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) In connection with ref (a),Con Gen Pol specialist
contacted Azzam Ahmad, head of the Fatah PLC faction and
former PLO ambassador to Baghdad. Post stressed the need for
the PA to do everything possible to keep other Palestinians
from leaving Baghdad for Jordan and indicated that we are in
contact with US authorities in Iraq regarding the plight of
Palestinians in Baghdad. (Note: The options for these
Palestinians are limited. In addition to concerns raised by
the GOJ (ref (b)),it is also highly unlikely that the GOI
would permit them to enter into the West Bank or Gaza. End
note.)
2. (C) Ahmad said that the Palestinian community in Iraq
believes strongly that Iraqi security forces in the MOI and
MOD are behind the recent killings of Palestinians. Despite
the Jordanian refusal to allow entry, Ahmad said that the
desire of Palestinians to move is increasing. He is in
contact with Palestinian representatives in Baghdad and is
urging calm; however, given the recent rise in tensions and
killings, Ahmad says that his efforts have been fruitless.
3. (C) Ahmad said that, based on his experience in Iraq, he
does not believe the situation will improve and thinks it
would be better for Palestinians to leave the country. Until
that time, Ahmad said he would request that US troops - and
not Iraqi troops - patrol the Palestinian neighborhood of
al-Baladiyat. Ahmad said that, in past flare-ups, the
presence of US troops has prevented reprisals. He also asked
that the US Embassy in Baghdad push Iraqi MOI officials to
"stop reprisals." Ahmad said he would work to continue to
prevent Palestinians from heading to the borders, but said it
would be difficult if the reprisal attacks continue.
4. (C) Polchief is due to meet with Ahmad on March 23 to
discuss this and other topics. Any additional information
that Embassy Baghdad can provide on the situation or planning
efforts would be appreciated.
WALLES