C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003346

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2007
TAGS: KPKO PREL JO KICC UNSC
SUBJECT: ICC DEMARCHE TO TROOP CONTRIBUTORS: JORDAN
SYMPATHETIC, BUT WILL HAVE TO STUDY U.S. DRAFT RESOLUTION

REF: SECSTATE 119268

Classified By: PolCouns Doug Silliman for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D)


1. (C) PolCouns June 20 delivered ref demarche and the
text of the U.S. draft resolution on the International
Criminal Court (ICC) and peacekeeping operations (PKO) to Ali
al-Ayed, Personal Assistant to Foreign Minister Marwan
Muasher, and Samer Naber, MFA Legal Advisor. PolCouns
emphasized USG concern about the potential ICC prosecution of
individuals engaged in PKOs, and noted that, absent adequate
protections, the USG will have to reconsider contributing to
PKOs. The USG believes, he continued, that the best way to
address this problem is with a Chapter VII Security Council
resolution. Jordan, as a significant contributor of troops
to UN PKOs, would not want to expose its forces to ICC
prosecutions without the GOJ's consent. PolCouns asked for
GOJ cooperation on this issue.


2. (C) Ayed and Naber responded that Jordan is sympathetic
to the American position and, indeed, would not want any of
its peacekeeping troops prosecuted for actions taken as part
of a PKO. Naber noted, however, that Jordan is the PKO
coordinator for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and would not
likely be able to come up with a position on this issue
before consulting with other members of the NAM. Ayed and
Naber promised to discuss the issue with FonMin Muasher.


Gnehm