Cablegate: Jordan Transfers $100 Million to Dfi

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

081839Z Jan 04

UNCLAS AMMAN 000203

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

CPA FOR OLIN WETHINGTON/JOHN VARDAMON
NSC FOR ADNAN KIFAYAT
TREASURY FOR ZARATE, WALLWORK
TREASURY FOR DEMOPULOS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ETTC IZ JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN TRANSFERS $100 MILLION TO DFI

REF: 03 AMMAN 8205

1. (SBU) Minister of Finance Muhammad Abu Hammour confirmed
to the Ambassador January 8 that he had that day transferred
$100 million from Iraqi accounts frozen in Jordan to the
Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) account at the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York. This brings the total transferred
to $135 million since December. Abu Hammour has also
reiterated in recent conversations that he planned to
transfer another sizable sum before the end of January.

2. (SBU) The Minister noted that they were still waiting
for a team from Iraq. They were proceeding with their
coordination with Rafidain Bank on claims that actually
involve that bank, which, he said was the largest number.
Banking laws prohibited their sharing documents related to
claims in other banks, hence the importance of the Iraqi
team's arrival as quickly as possible. (Comment: A letter
from the Iraqi Finance Minister delegating Rafidain to look
at the others is also required.)

3. (SBU) Ambassador's Comment: The GOJ is meeting its
commitments to transfer considerable funds to the DFI; and we
will continue to follow-up. It is, however, incumbent that
the Iraqi team come soon. That was our part of the
understanding that we have with the Jordanians.
GNEHM

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