GOJ REQUESTS EXPEDITED DISBURSEMENT OF BILATERAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 001932

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA AND NEA/ELA
STATE PASS USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2019
TAGS: EAID PREL ECON PGOV EFIN JO
SUBJECT: GOJ REQUESTS EXPEDITED DISBURSEMENT OF BILATERAL
ASSISTANCE

REF: AMMAN 1646

Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d)


1. (C) The Jordanian Ministry of Planning and International
Cooperation (MOPIC) has requested that the cash transfer from
USAID scheduled for the end of September be expedited to the
beginning of the month to help the GOJ meet its August
payroll. MOPIC officials have repeatedly contacted the USAID
mission to ask that disbursement be expedited. The GOJ has
not yet met the bilaterally negotiated 17 Conditions
Precedents (CPs) necessary for the transfer, and it will be
nearly impossible for it to do so by early September.
Furthermore, receipt of the funding is dependent on the
completion of the interagency terrorism risk assessment
process that is still underway in Washington.


2. (C) Comment: Requests for expedited funds are common from
the GOJ and have occurred before almost every previous cash
transfer. While the GOJ certainly faces serious budget
shortfalls it is also possible that there are other
motivations for wanting the funds sooner (reftel). Among the
possible reasons are speculation that a cabinet shake-up
might be in the works, another common occurrence in Jordan at
this time of year and incentive for the current cabinet to
demonstrate its tenure was successful and go out on a high
note; an absence of grants from neighboring Arab countries,
donations that usually help to offset shortfalls, and the end
of Ramadan when bonuses are issued to the military whose well
being contributes to political stability. End Comment.


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Beecroft