US embassy cable - 05AMMAN6240

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Identifier:	05AMMAN6240
Wikileaks:	View 05AMMAN6240 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Amman
Created:	2005-08-03 14:35:00
Classification:	SECRET//NOFORN
Tags:	PTER MOPS PINR IZ JO
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

S E C R E T AMMAN 006240 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2025 
TAGS: PTER, MOPS, PINR, IZ, JO 
SUBJECT: SADDAM'S FAMILY IN JORDAN: UPDATE 
 
REF: A. 04 AMMAN 03801 
     B. 04 AMMAN 02069 
     C. 04 AMMAN 01970 
     D. 04 STATE 55050 
     E. TD-314/46280-05 
     F. TD-314/46286-05 
     G. TD-314/46312-05 
     H. TD-314/46263-05 
 
Classified By: CDA DAVID HALE, REASONS 1.4 (B) & (C) 
 
1. (C) Saddam's daughters Raghda and Rana took refuge in 
Amman in 2003 and still live in West Amman.  (We understand 
another daughter, Hala, and Saddam's wife Sajida Khayrallah 
Tilfah reside chiefly in Doha.) 
 
2. (S) In accordance with UNSCR 1483, paragraph 23(b), the 
names of the two Amman daughters were added to the UNSCR 1518 
sanctions committee list in March 2004 (Ref D) requiring that 
all member states freeze the assets of those listed and 
return them to the Development Fund for Iraq.  The Government 
of Jordan posed no objection to the 1518 listing (Ref C) and, 
at the USG's request (Refs B, C) investigated assets held by 
the two daughters preparatory to freezing them.  Jordan's 
finance minister reported in May 2004 that no such accounts 
were found in Jordan (Ref A). 
 
3. (C) Contacts in the GOJ have told us that Raghda and Rana, 
pleading poverty, have on occasion approached the palace for 
assistance, including money to send their children to private 
schools in Amman.  The palace has probably granted some of 
these requests. 
 
4. (S/NF) The Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate 
(GID) keeps a close watch on Saddam's family here.  The King 
has assured Charge that the daughters are here only on 
condition that they avoid activities that could embarrass the 
GOJ.  The GID keeps Amman RMAS regularly briefed on the 
family's activities (refs E through H). 
 
5. (S/NF) We have from time to time heard accusations that 
the daughters are providing funding or other assistance to 
anti-coalition forces in Iraq.  However, to date we have not 
been able to uncover any evidence in intelligence reporting, 
or from other sources, that would corroborate these claims. 
 
6. (S) Comment:  In post's assessment, the GOJ would expel 
Saddam's family from Jordan if the USG were to request it. 
However, we could well lose the close scrutiny and regular 
reporting on their activities we now enjoy from the 
Jordanians. 
HALE