US embassy cable - 03AMMAN1702

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TF1ZO1: AMMAN SITREP 4 (3/21 0800 LOCAL)

Identifier: 03AMMAN1702
Wikileaks: View 03AMMAN1702 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Amman
Created: 2003-03-21 05:52:00
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Tags: AEMR AMGT CASC CVIS IZ JO
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 001702 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2013 
TAGS: AEMR, AMGT, CASC, CVIS, IZ, JO 
SUBJECT: TF1ZO1: AMMAN SITREP 4 (3/21 0800 LOCAL) 
 
REF: A. FBIS GMP20030320000252 
     B. AMMAN 1701 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm, Reason 1.5 (b,d). 
 
---------------- 
General Overview 
---------------- 
 
1. (C)  UNHCR contacts report that oil tanker trucks coming 
in from Iraq to Jordan have stopped entirely as of 2130 local 
time March 20. 
 
--------------- 
Consular Issues 
--------------- 
 
2. (U)  No new developments since previous sitrep. 
 
---------------------- 
GOJ Actions/Statements 
---------------------- 
 
3. (U) Petra news agency reported an announcement by Interior 
Minister Qaftan al Majali that under current law, prior 
approval from the GOJ is required for all demonstrations and 
sit-ins.  He said violators would be prosecuted "firmly" to 
preserve public order (ref a). 
 
-------- 
Security 
-------- 
 
4. (C)  Local news reports highlighted student demonstrations 
at the University of Jordan in Amman and the Jordan Univerity 
of Science and Technology in Irbid on March 20.  PSD has not 
reported any confrontations resulting from the 
demonstrations.  Embassy sources have confirmed press reports 
that the GOJ has rounded up an indeterminate number of 
"Islamic activists" in anticipation of additional 
demonstrations in Amman and elsewhere following Friday 
prayers. 
 
--------------------------- 
Refugee/Humanitarian Issues 
--------------------------- 
 
5. (C)  UNHCR reports the Jordan-Iraq border remains open. 
Two new possible refugee cases, both Sudanese citizens 
seeking return to Sudan, have been identified.  GOJ 
Information Minister Mohammed Al Adwan denied press reports 
that the Jordan-Iraq border has been closed, but noted that 
the designation of the eastern desert as a closed military 
zone would restrict movements into and out of the area (ref 
b). 
 
----- 
Press 
----- 
 
6. (U)  No new developments since previous sitrep. 
 
GNEHM 

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