US embassy cable - 04AMMAN3305

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003305 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/29/2014 
TAGS: PREL, AMGT, IZ, US, JO 
SUBJECT: JORDAN BRIEFED ON ESTABLISHING A U.S. MISSION IN 
BAGHDAD 
 
REF: STATE 89241 
 
Classified By: DCM David M. Hale for reasons 1.5 (b) (d) 
 
1.  (C)  Per ref, PolCouns on April 26 briefed Ali al-Ayed, 
Foreign Minister Muasher's Private Office Director, and Manar 
Dabbas, Private Office U.S. Action Officer, on the 
establishment of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.  Ayed and 
Dabbas took extensive notes and said they would brief the 
Minister. 
 
2.  (C)  In a separate conversation April 22, MFA Secretary 
General Omar Rifai told the DCM that the GOJ intended to 
upgrade its representation in Baghdad from charge to 
Ambassador at some point after the June 30 transfer of power, 
but had neither a nominee nor a firm date at this point.  He 
noted that, given the August 2003 bombing of the old 
Jordanian Chancery building in western Baghdad, the GOJ is 
having trouble identifying and renting an appropriate new 
property.  Landlords are afraid that the Jordanian Embassy 
will remain a target and do not want to risk an attack on 
their property.  Ali al-Ayed told PolCouns that Jordan had 
identified a couple of acceptable properties, but that U.S. 
corporate contractors and easily outbid the GOJ for the 
leases. 
 
3.  (U)  CPA Baghdad minimize considered. 
 
Visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at 
 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ 
 
or access the site through the State Department's SIPRNET 
home page. 
GNEHM