US embassy cable - 05AMMAN3151

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003151 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2010 
TAGS: PREL, CASC, CJAN, EFIN, PHUM, MARR, JO 
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER ON BILATERAL ISSUES 
 
1.  (C) During an introductory call on Foreign Minister 
Qasrawi on April 19, Charge reviewed important outstanding 
bilateral issues, emphasizing that they came in the context 
of our  overall excellent relationship.  Qasrawi had received 
a non-paper on these issues prior to the meeting, and in 
responding drew from a document prepared by his staff.  Key 
issues: 
 
--Article 98 Agreement.  Charge stressed the importance of 
rapid ratification by parliament, and drew Qasrawi's 
attention to the consequences of the Nethercutt amendment. 
Qasrawi responded that Jordan is committed to the text even 
without ratification, but planned to present the agreement to 
parliament along with the Rome Statute, which was put into 
force by a temporary law when parliament was not in session. 
(Charge also raised in his introductory call on the Prime 
Minister, who took note of the request.) 
 
--Anti-Money Laundering Law.  Qasrawi said the GOJ was 
committed to moving the draft law through both houses of 
parliament as soon as possible, and treated this matter with 
the utmost seriousness.  (Separately, in the past week Prime 
Minister Badran, Royal Court Minister Muasher, and Finance 
Minister Awadallah all pledged that the law would by royal 
decree be put on the agenda for the next emergency session of 
parliament, expected to convene no later than June 2005.) 
 
--Consular MOU.  Qasrawi said the U.S.-proposed bilateral MOU 
on child custody issues was the subject of study by an 
inter-ministerial committee, which will meet for a second 
time on April 28 to seek internal consensus on the document. 
(On April 18, Charge reviewed this issue with the new 
Interior Minister, who pledged his support.) 
 
--Terrorist Finance and Judicial Assistance.  Charge thanked 
Qasrawi for the formation of an inter-ministerial committee 
to enhance Jordanian review of requests for assistance. 
Qasrawi said the committee had concluded there should be no 
difficulties in cooperation on requests that are made in the 
context of implementing UNSCR 1267, but difficulties might 
arise if no such link is evident.  Charge and the Foreign 
Minister agreed to discuss in greater detail at a later date. 
 
 
--Extradition Treaty.  Charge described the anomalous 
situation of our bilateral extradition treaty, which we 
regard as being in force but which Jordanian courts have 
rejected absent ratification by parliament.  Qasrawi said 
developing a strategy for successful parliamentary 
ratification would need careful consideration, but promised 
to pursue the matter with cabinet colleagues. 
 
--Trafficking in Persons.  Charge stressed the importance of 
Jordan's agreement to the relevant UN convention and adoption 
of related legislation.  Qasrawi said the matter was under 
review. 
HALE