RAISING ISSUE OF 89 PALESTINIANS ON THE

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