Cablegate: Jordan Asks for Usg Support On Oios Audit Issue At

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

UNCLAS AMMAN 002793

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KUNC PREL IZ JO UNSC ERIN
SUBJECT: JORDAN ASKS FOR USG SUPPORT ON OIOS AUDIT ISSUE AT
JUNE 4 UNCC GC MEETING

REF: A. GENEVA 1706
B. GENEVA 1919

1. (U) This is an action request for the Department. See
paras 3-4 below.

2. (U) Acting Foreign Minister Shaher Bak asked the
Ambassador and PolCouns May 29 for USG support for Jordan's
position in the upcoming June 4 meeting of the Governing
Council (GC) of the UN Compensation Commission (UNCC). Bak
explained that the June 4 meeting would discuss an audit by
the UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) of a
1999 UNCC award of USD 72 million to the Government of Jordan
(see refs). Bak explained that the OIOS audit concluded that
the UNCC had overpaid Jordan by USD 46 million. Reading from
UNCC rules, Bak argued that all UNCC award decisions are
final and cannot be appealed. Bak asked for USG support for
Jordan's position in the June 4 GC meeting. The Ambassador
undertook to get a position from Washington.

3. ACTION REQUEST: Please advise on the USG's position on
Jordan's case. We note that para 3 of ref A contains
"contingency talking points" for Geneva on this issue, as
follows:

-- The award to Jordan has been made, is final, and has been
paid.

-- The award cannot and should not be reopened.

-- The UNCC acted within its authority with respect to the
award.

-- The U.S. supports the UNCC in general and the UNCC rule
that awards are final.

4. (U) Please advise whether Embassy Amman is authorized to
use these points to respond to the GOJ's request for support.
Gnehm

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