GOJ CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IRAQI

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000320

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREF SMIG IZ JO
SUBJECT: GOJ CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IRAQI
MIGRANTS

REF: A. AMMAN 9012


B. AMMAN 0027

C. DAMASCUS 5369

Classified By: Ambassador David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. ( SBU ) GOJ spokesman Nasser Judeh, responding to a
question during his weekly press briefing, expressed support
for an international conference on the situation of Iraqis
who have moved to neighboring countries. (Note: Post
understands UNHCR working to organize such a conference in
Geneva during the coming month. End Note) Citing the "burden
on natural resources" presented by the movement of large
numbers of Iraqis to neighboring countries, Judeh stated the
conference should focus on financial assistance to host
countries. At the same time, he took pains to emphasize that
Iraqis are still "welcome" in Jordan. Estimates of the
number of Iraqis range from 500,000 (according to one
Jordanian Interior Ministry official) to 800,000 (ref B).
According to the Ministry of Interior, approximately 20,000
have registered for refugee status.


2. ( C ) The GOJ recognizes the need to examine the size and
nature of the Iraqi presence in Jordan as a basis for future
planning. Post understands the GOJ is currently considering
several options, including a government-led study that would
rely on NGOs for much of the actual data collection.


3. ( SBU ) On January 23, UNHCR concluded a three-day
training workshop with the GOJ to address the current needs
of refugees in Jordan. Attendees included representatives
from the Foreign and Interior Ministries, Public Security
Directorate, General Intelligence Department, and Border
Security officials.



Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/


HALE