US embassy cable - 02AMMAN5838

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 005838 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2012 
TAGS: CJAN, PHUM, PREL, US, JO 
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER ABUL RAGHEB ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES, 
U.S. LEGAL ASSISTANCE REQUESTS 
 
REF: A. STATE 162967 
     B. STATE 166372 
     C. AMMAN 5576 
 
Classified By: Amb. Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D) 
 
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GOJ RESPONSIVE ON BANK RECORDS REQUEST 
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1.  (C)  The Ambassador and DCM spoke October 5 with Prime 
Minister Ali Abul Ragheb about human rights and legal 
assistance issues (other topics septels, notal).  Abul Ragheb 
mentioned that the Jordanian Ministry of Justice was 
collecting the bank records requested by the U.S. Department 
of Justice in the investigation of four U.S. criminal cases 
(per refs a and b), and seemed to be confident that the 
records would be made available.  He commented that Jordan's 
new counterterrorism legislation, passed after September 11, 
had given the GOJ new legal authority to collect and pass on 
the requested information to the U.S. 
 
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JORDAN SOCIETY FOR CITIZENS' RIGHTS 
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2.  (C)  The Ambassador asked Abul Ragheb about the status of 
GOJ actions toward the Jordan Society for Citizens' Rights 
(JSCR), a local human rights NGO that the GOJ has accused of 
financial misdealing (ref c).  The Ambassador commented that, 
whatever the nature of the government's allegations against 
the JSCR, the Interior Ministry's demand for further 
information from the organization looked to those outside 
Jordan and to the NGO community in Jordan like harassment. 
He hoped that the GOJ could work out its problems with the 
JSCR to avoid any closure. 
 
3.  (C)  Abul Ragheb responded that the Interior Ministry had 
sent similar letters to other NGOs and parties to make sure 
they are in compliance with government financial disclosure 
laws.  (Note:  No other NGO has told us that they have 
received such a letter.  End note.)  He said that, although 
he had no reason personally to believe that the JSCR had been 
involved in financial improprieties, the fact that the group 
had never filed required financial reports with the 
government meant that the government also had no proof that 
they collected and used funds according to the law.  All 
organizations, he insisted, including professional 
organizations and unions, would have to comply with the law. 
 
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COMMENT 
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4.  (C)  The positive response to our most recent legal 
assistance requests is heartening.  On the JSCR, we have laid 
down a marker at a senior level that we value the 
organization and its work.  We will continue to encourage the 
JSCR and the GOJ to work out a solution that leaves the JSCR 
intact. 
GNEHM