JORDAN: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON INTERNATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 001379 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR PM/PPA DAVID FORAN DEPARTMENT FOR IO/UNP JOSEPH FITZGERALD E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019 TAGS: EWWT MARR PGOV PHSA PHUM PREL JO SUBJECT: JORDAN: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON INTERNATIONAL PIRACY TRIBUNAL INITIALLY POSITIVE REF: STATE 58579 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Lawrence Mandel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) POL Off delivered reftel demarche on June 16 to Samer Naber, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),emphasizing U.S. opposition to the formation of an international tribunal to prosecute suspected pirates and soliciting the Jordanian view on the subject. Although not familiar with the issue himself, Naber said he believed that national prosecution of crimes of piracy was a better approach and indicated the GOJ would likely support the U.S. position following a review of the non-paper provided. He asked what the MFA could do to assist. ¶2. (C) Naber agreed to circulate the non-paper with the MFA legal department, the Ministry of Justice, and the Jordanian missions to the United Nations and the International Law Commission. He promised to provide a clearer view of the Jordanian position within two weeks, which will be reported septel. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman Beecroft