US embassy cable - 03AMMAN1955

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001955 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2013 
TAGS: AEMR, AMGT, PREL, ASEC, CASC, CVIS, EFIN, ETRD, IZ, JO 
SUBJECT: TFIZO1: AMMAN SITREP 24 (4/02 1000 LOCAL) 
 
 
Classified By: DCM Gregory L. Berry for reasons 1.5 (B)(D). 
 
---------------- 
General Overview 
---------------- 
 
1. (C)  The Embassy is operating on a normal schedule April 
2.  Consular services are open.  Activities at the American 
Language Center remain suspended, and there is only 
restricted activity by FSN's at the Peace Corps office. 
Movements of American staff remain restricted. 
 
--------------- 
Consular Issues 
--------------- 
 
2. (U)  Amcit freelance reporter Molly Bingham arrived in 
Jordan late night April 1 following her release from Baghdad 
by Iraqi authorities.  Accompanying Bingham were Newsday 
journalists Matthew McAllester and Moise Saman, Danish 
reporter Johan Spanner, and Amcit peace activist Phillip 
Latasa.  Consular chief met the group upon their arrival in 
Amman very early morning April 2.  Despite being exhausted, 
all were in good physical condition and required no immediate 
medical attention. 
 
3. (C)  According to DAO contacts, a total of 26 people were 
released by Iraqi authorities April 1, a mix of journalists, 
activists and others, including the journalists listed above 
and an unconfirmed number of other Amcits.  These sources 
tell DAO that Iraq plans to release another 12 detainees 
April 2.  Identities of the detainees is unknown. 
 
---------------------- 
GOJ Actions/Statements 
---------------------- 
 
4. (U)  GOJ news agency Petra reported the King's statement 
made during an April  meeting with ministers in which he 
"voiced his approval of the measures that the government is 
taking to deal with the difficult circumstances."  In his 
statement, the King commented on the ability of the 
government to "meet the food needs of citizens," called for 
"all concerned parties to guarantee the protection of Iraqi 
citizens," and voiced "approval of the responsible reaction 
that Jordanians showed" in their protests and demonstrations. 
 Separately, Petra also reported that, during a telephone 
call with Canadian PM Chretien, the King expressed deep 
concern about the suffering of the Iraqi people.  He 
reportedly called for "utmost efforts" to stop the war. 
 
-------- 
Security 
-------- 
 
5. (U)  No new issues. 
 
------------------------------- 
Economic and Trade Developments 
------------------------------- 
 
6. (C)  The cabinet met April 1 to form a special committee 
of ministers with economic portfolios and led by Deputy Prime 
Minister and Minister of Justice Faris Nabulsi.  The special 
committee will be tasked with studying the impact of the war 
on Jordan's economy and making recommendations to the 
government for managing any negative impacts. 
 
7. (SBU)  The government on April 1 authorized a transfer of 
JD 5 million ($7.05 million) to Royal Jordanian Airlines to 
offset extraordinary costs associated with the war. 
 
--------------------------- 
Refugee/Humanitarian Issues 
--------------------------- 
 
8. (U)  No new issues. 
 
----- 
Press 
----- 
9. (U)  No new issues. 
GNEHM