Cablegate: Intelligence Director Comments On Iran-Syria

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DE RUEHAM #5492 2021133
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 211133Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2491
INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA IMMEDIATE 0441
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 3399
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS IMMEDIATE 3333
RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA IMMEDIATE 0559
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH IMMEDIATE 1619
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV IMMEDIATE 0079
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH IMMEDIATE 0721

S E C R E T AMMAN 005492

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2016
TAGS: PREL PARM ETTC IR SY SA IS LE JO
SUBJECT: INTELLIGENCE DIRECTOR COMMENTS ON IRAN-SYRIA
RESUPPLY FLIGHTS

REF: A. STATE 118622
B. STATE 119421
C. AMMAN 05447

Classified By: AMBASSADOR DAVID HALE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) and (D)

(S/NF) General Intelligence Director Muhammad Dhahabi told
Ambassador and acting SIRO chief on July 21 that the GOJ
received a request for overflight permission, and denied it.
He said Syrian authorities complained to him about the GOJ,s
refusal; Dhahabi claimed to have replied that Syrian behavior
that was threatening to the interests of Jordan and the
region, and that Syria's facilitation of Iranian support for
Hizballah should cease. He told the Ambassador he had
suggested to the King that the flight be shot down if it
violated Jordanian airspace; he said the King was reserved
about that idea and suggested it be forced to land instead.
Dhahabi viewed the overflight request as further evidence the
Iranians think they are on the offensive and can bully others
in the region.
Hale

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