FORMER IRAQI NUCLEAR SCIENTIST AL-KHAFAJI BEGINS

S E C R E T STATE 123272

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2033
TAGS: PARM IZ PREL
SUBJECT: FORMER IRAQI NUCLEAR SCIENTIST AL-KHAFAJI BEGINS
FELLOWSHIP IN JORDAN

REF: A. STATE 84768

B. BAGHDAD 2537

Classified By: ISN/CTR Director MATTHIAS MITMAN
Reasons: 1.4 (b) & (d)


1. (S//NF) Summary: Iraqi former WMD scientist Salih Majid
Hamid al-Khafaji, a U.S.-educated nuclear engineer, arrived
in Jordan on October 8, 2008 for a one-year fellowship
sponsored by the Department of State's Iraq Scientist
Engagement Program (ISEP). In April 2008, al-Khafaji stated
his desire to flee from Iraq to Syria after he was
purportedly kidnapped and subsequently freed after a ransom
was paid. Al-Khafaji was then offered relocation to Jordan
following the U.S. interagency agreed temporary relocation
process for at-risk Iraqi WMD experts. This cable serves as
notification of case status; there is no action requested of
post at this time. End Summary.


2. (S//NF) Salih Majid Hamid al-Khafaji, a former scientist
in Saddam's nuclear weapons program, was relocated to Jordan
for a temporary fellowship at the Jordan University of
Science and Technology (JUST). In April 2008, Representative
David Hobson brought al-Khafaji's case to the attention of
National SECURITY COUNCIL STAFF and the Department of State.
After reviewing his case and in light of a Proliferation Risk
Assessment provided by CIA's Weapons Intelligence,
Nonproliferation, and Arms Control Center (CIA/WINPAC),as
well as his stated desire to move from Iraq to Syria, the
U.S. interagency concurred in State's decision to offer
al-Khafaji a temporary relocation fellowship through ISEP to
prevent the proliferation of his skills.


3. (S//NF) The Proliferation Risk Assessment prepared by
CIA/WINPAC on al-Khafaji states, "We judge based on his past
association with Iraq's nuclear weapons program that Dr.
al-Khafaji may have had skills that could be attractive to
state and non-state actors seeking Weapons of Mass
Destruction (WMD) capabilities, but we have no insights into
his current skills or capabilities." According to
al-Khafaji's curriculum vitae, his work for Saddam's nuclear
weapons program included research into device design and
uranium enrichment.


4. (S//NF) The Jordan University of Science and Technology is
now hosting al-Khafaji at its campus in Irbid for one year as
a visiting fellow. The Department's ISN/CTR office has
informed Congressman Hobson's office that al-Khafaji, his
wife, and two children have been relocated temporarily to
Jordan.
RICE