ICC DEMARCHE TO TROOP CONTRIBUTORS: JORDAN

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