US embassy cable - 02AMMAN3130

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003130 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2012 
TAGS: PREL, ETTC, IZ, JO 
SUBJECT: IRAQ/UNSC SANCTIONS:  DEMARCHE ON ROYAL JORDANIAN 
FLIGHTS DELIVERED, MESSAGE HEARD 
 
REF: STATE 112154 
 
Classified By: A/DCM Doug Silliman for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D) 
 
1.  (C)  A/DCM covered ref points on Royal Jordanian airlines 
(RJ) flights to Baghdad June 11 with Ali al-Ayed, Personal 
Assistant to Foreign Minister Muasher.  A/DCM stressed that 
RJ has conducted 4-times-weekly flights to Baghdad since 
January, and 5-times-weekly flights since April, and that the 
frequency and regularity of the flights makes them appear to 
be regular commercial flights, not/not humanitarian flights. 
In addition, the recent circular diplomatic note from the 
Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad advertising the flights and 
offering diplomatic discounts raised particular concern in 
Washington.  A/DCM urged the GOJ restrict the frequency and 
regularity of RJ operations to and from Baghdad, end 
advertising and discounts, and ensure that all RJ flights are 
truly humanitarian and in keeping with UN sanctions. 
 
2.  (C)  Ayed took careful notes, and -- in the absence of 
FonMin Muasher -- promised to convey the demarche to the 
Acting FonMin.  He expected that the issue would go to the 
Prime Minister for a decision, and that GOJ officials would 
speak to RJ about its traffic to and from Baghdad. 
 
3.  (C)  COMMENT:  Ayed clearly understood the importance of 
the demarche, and was visibly disturbed when he heard that 
the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad had sent a circular note 
advertising the flights. 
Gnehm