US embassy cable - 02AMMAN6309

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 006309 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2007 
TAGS: ASEC, PTER, PREL, JO 
SUBJECT: ASSASSINATION OF U.S. DIPLOMAT IN AMMAN: STATUS AS 
OF NOON LOCAL 10/29 
 
REF: (A) AMMAN 6282 (B) AMMAN 6265 (C) AMMAN 6261 
 
Classified By: DCM Gregory L. Berry.  Reasons 1.5 (b,d). 
 
1. (C) Twenty four hours after the brutal murder of USAID 
employee Larry Foley, the GOJ continues to provide excellent 
cooperation in the investigation of the attack and in 
implementing new security measures to protect the American 
community.  At the political level, numerous senior GOJ 
officials (the King, PM, FM, Minister of Interior, Minister 
of Planning, and others) have made public statements strongly 
condemning the attack, reaffirming Jordan's close 
relationship with the U.S., and vowing to do all they can to 
find the perpetrator(s) and bring him/them to justice. 
Jordan's largest opposition party -- The Islamic Action Front 
-- also condemned the attack stating "our condemnation of 
U.S. policies does not mean that we sanction murder."  A 
common theme in today's press and in conversations with 
contacts has been that this was an attack as much on Jordan 
as it was on the U.S., and that it was intended to sow 
instability in the Kingdom.  Alongside this as well have been 
expressions of shame and anger that Jordan's tradition of 
gracious hospitality to guests has been assaulted. 
 
2. (C) Investigation: Both the GID and PSD continue to work 
the case hard and are devoting extensive resources to finding 
the perpetrators.  A two-person DS Protective Intelligence 
Investigative (PII) team is scheduled to arrive in Amman from 
Washington this evening (10/29) to assist in the 
investigation.  The London-based Arabic-language daily 
"al-Quds al-Arabi" reported on 10/29 that it had received a 
statement from a group called "Shurafa al-Urdun" (Honorables 
or Nobles of Jordan) claiming responsibility for the attack. 
The same group had claimed responsibility for the murder of 
an Israeli businessman in Amman in August 2001. 
 
3. (SBU) Security: The RSO is working with the Jordanian 
security services on providing increased security in our 
residential areas.  Police worked with RSO staff throughout 
Tuesday night (10/28-10/29) identifying residences and 
preparing plans on how best to provide a higher level of 
security.  Police coverage will consist of a combination of 
marked and unmarked units, static positions, and foot patrols 
which will work in the close vicinity of all Embassy 
residences.  The Embassy mobile patrols will continue their 
24-hour checks of residences.  Two Regional RSO TDYers are 
scheduled to arrive in Amman on 10/29 to assist in 
implementing our increased security posture. 
 
4. (C) King Abdullah's Condolence Call to Virginia Foley and 
Embassy Memorial Service:  The King is scheduled to come to 
the Ambassador's residence early afternoon of October 29 to 
personally convey his condolences to Virginia Foley.  At 1400 
local time October 29 the Embassy will hold a memorial 
service for Larry Foley at which Ambassador Gnehm and USAID 
Jordan Director Toni Christiansen-Wagner will speak.  All 
employees and American family members have been invited to 
attend. 
 
5. (C) Arrangements for Return to U.S.:  NEA A/S Burns is 
scheduled to arrive in Amman the evening of October 29 from 
Manama via milair.  Also arriving this evening is AID Deputy 
Administrator Fred Schieck.  Separate milair is scheduled to 
arrive in Amman on Wednesday morning October 30 to transport 
Virginia Foley, the remains of Larry Foley, NEA A/S Burns, 
USAID Deputy Administrator Schieck, and accompanying USAID 
and DOS staff to Andrews AFB.  Departure from Amman is 
tentatively scheduled for 1400 on October 30. 
 
GNEHM