Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08AMMAN3366
2008-12-23 11:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
ACTING A/S WITTEN ENCOURAGES JORDAN TO GRANT IRAQI
how-toVZCZCXRO3444 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHAM #3366 3581119 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 231119Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4015 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003366
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PRM, NEA/I, AND NEA/ELA, GENEVA FOR RMA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2018
TAGS: PREF PREL EAID JO
SUBJECT: ACTING A/S WITTEN ENCOURAGES JORDAN TO GRANT IRAQI
REFUGEES ACCESS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 b and d
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003366
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PRM, NEA/I, AND NEA/ELA, GENEVA FOR RMA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2018
TAGS: PREF PREL EAID JO
SUBJECT: ACTING A/S WITTEN ENCOURAGES JORDAN TO GRANT IRAQI
REFUGEES ACCESS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (SBU) In his meeting with Foreign Minister Salah Al Bashir
on November 19, PRM Acting A/S Witten raised the issue of
increased residence and employment rights for Iraqis in
Jordan. Witten told the FM that the USG wanted to see Iraqis
have access to residence status, work permits, and vocational
training in Jordan. The FM listened to Witten's points
without interruption, and responded that he knew these things
were USG concerns. He explained the GOJ position that Iraqis
seeking refuge in Jordan could not work legally, adding that
this was not his area of responsibility.
2. (SBU) Acting A/S Witten also raised the possibility of
processing Palestinian refugees from Iraq through Jordan for
resettlement in the U.S. The Minister at first reacted
negatively, saying, "Who would be responsible for them if
they did not return to their camp?" He then moderated his
initial reaction when Witten explained that, while details of
such a proposal were still being worked out, the refugees
would be brought to Amman in small groups for processing.
More details on this subject to follow septel.
3. (C) Comment: Post continues to raise this issue with the
GOJ. The Ambassador broached the subjects of vocational
education and the right to work with the PM on December 20.
Details of that meeting will be reported septel. End comment.
4. (U) This message has been coordinated with Acting A/S
Witten.
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
Beecroft
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PRM, NEA/I, AND NEA/ELA, GENEVA FOR RMA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2018
TAGS: PREF PREL EAID JO
SUBJECT: ACTING A/S WITTEN ENCOURAGES JORDAN TO GRANT IRAQI
REFUGEES ACCESS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (SBU) In his meeting with Foreign Minister Salah Al Bashir
on November 19, PRM Acting A/S Witten raised the issue of
increased residence and employment rights for Iraqis in
Jordan. Witten told the FM that the USG wanted to see Iraqis
have access to residence status, work permits, and vocational
training in Jordan. The FM listened to Witten's points
without interruption, and responded that he knew these things
were USG concerns. He explained the GOJ position that Iraqis
seeking refuge in Jordan could not work legally, adding that
this was not his area of responsibility.
2. (SBU) Acting A/S Witten also raised the possibility of
processing Palestinian refugees from Iraq through Jordan for
resettlement in the U.S. The Minister at first reacted
negatively, saying, "Who would be responsible for them if
they did not return to their camp?" He then moderated his
initial reaction when Witten explained that, while details of
such a proposal were still being worked out, the refugees
would be brought to Amman in small groups for processing.
More details on this subject to follow septel.
3. (C) Comment: Post continues to raise this issue with the
GOJ. The Ambassador broached the subjects of vocational
education and the right to work with the PM on December 20.
Details of that meeting will be reported septel. End comment.
4. (U) This message has been coordinated with Acting A/S
Witten.
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
Beecroft