KING AND FM ON DISPLACED IRAQIS: A NATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000445 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA, S/I, PRM AND CA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER PREF CVIS IZ JO SUBJECT: KING AND FM ON DISPLACED IRAQIS: A NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERN REF: A. AMMAN 391 ¶B. AMMAN 385 ¶C. AMMAN 330 ¶D. AMMAN 320 ¶E. AMMAN 27 ¶F. AMMAN 6 ¶G. 06 AMMAN 9012 Classified By: Ambassador David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: King Abdullah and FM Khatib spoke recently of the movements of displaced Iraqis as a national security concern. If the USG seeks GOJ cooperation in addressing the issue of displaced Iraqis, we should factor in Jordanian sensitivity toward refugee flows, and be careful not to harm our other important equities in the relationship with Jordan. Jordanian authorities will continue to apply rigorous security screening measures at their borders, including screening standards that focus especially on unknown Iraqi males of military age. The U.S. interest in Jordanian stability and the security of American personnel and facilities in Jordan indicates we should support such rigor, and we have invested substantially in improving Jordanian security services' ability to do so. End summary. "Our security problems are coming from Iraq" -------------- ¶2. (C) At a briefing for G8 and EU Ambassadors January 29, King Abdullah was asked about Iraqis in Jordan (other topics septel). The King responded by pointing with pride to the presence of many Iraqis in Jordan's schools and clinics, but he admitted Jordan could not accommodate them all. He said that after the Norwegian NGO FAFO completes its assessment of Iraqis' numbers and needs in Jordan, "we will want to work with you," the international community, to further assist vulnerable Iraqis. ¶3. (C) "Keep in mind," he added, "the acute political sensitivity, and great nervousness in Jordan" on refugees. Jordanians would balk at the prospect of new, permanent foreign populations, he said, pointing out that the refugees of 1948 and 1967 are "still here today." ¶4. (C) The King voiced concern over security, noting that all recent terrorist activities in Jordan had been mounted by Iraqis who came across the border to conduct attacks. He said Jordanian intelligence was following "hit squads", directed by Iranians and Shia Iraqis, who were trying to track down Iraqis here and settle old scores. "Our security problems are coming from Iraq," he said. FM Warns of a Pull Effect -------------- ¶5. (C) During a separate session with the same Ambassadors, FM Khatib said "the social and financial state of most Iraqis here is not that of refugees. If we declare them to be refugees, we will attract Iraqis in even larger numbers." This would facilitate the departure from Iraq of large numbers of Sunnis, he added, which was in nobody's interest. A Signal on Iraqi Migrants -------------- ¶6. (C) The King says what most Jordanians are thinking when he likens potential Iraqi movements into Jordan to the refugee flows of 1948 and 1967 - and (clearly to Jordanians) by implication to the 1970 "Black September" civil war between Arafat-led refugees and the government. His remarks signal that the GOJ will react defensively to any push from outside to adjust its current posture on displaced Iraqis, unless it can be convinced that any new commitment is limited, finite, and does not require Jordan to accept additional security risks. ¶7. (C) As the USG reviews its position on Iraqis who have been associated with the USG, and on displaced Iraqis generally, post urges that Jordanian sensitivities be kept in mind. Options outside Jordan (including processing of migrants/refugees in secured areas of Iraq) should be explored thoroughly. ¶8. (C) If the USG needs to secure GOJ cooperation, post recommends any request should be for clearly defined numbers of individuals. In addition, we believe Jordan will not admit for refugee/migration processing Iraqis whose security background is not already cleared to a standard good enough for admission to the U.S. It is in the U.S. interest to support Jordanian officials in taking the steps they believe are necessary to maintain stability here and the security of U.S. personnel and facilities in Jordan. Rigorous screening at the Iraqi border, including of unknown military age Iraqi males, is part of that effort. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ HALE