DROC PRESIDENT KABILA'S VISIT TO JORDAN

S E C R E T AMMAN 006073 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2012 TAGS: PREL XA ZF CF JO SUBJECT: DROC PRESIDENT KABILA'S VISIT TO JORDAN Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm. Reasons 1.5 (b,d). ¶1. (S) DROC President Joseph Kabila paid an official visit to Jordan September 16-18. The visit entailed the usual meetings and official functions. Kabila enjoyed a short visit to the seaport of Aqaba as the King,s guest. We saw nothing remarkable to report -- except that Jordan seemed an unlikely stop on the very day news coverage was reporting the announcement that Rwandan forces were withdrawing from eastern Congo. ¶2. (S) Subsequently, King Abdullah has raised Kabila,s visit with the Ambassador. Abdullah said he point blank asked Kabila why he was visiting Jordan. Kabila said in the first instance he wanted to establish stronger ties between Congo and Middle Eastern countries; but, secondly, he knew the King had excellent relations with both London and Washington. He did not and, frankly, wanted Abdullah,s assistance in helping him improve relations. He asked the King to pass his desire to improve relations to both countries and do anything he might to advance that process. The King said he agreed to pass on Kabila,s message and asked that we inform Washington of his conversation with Kabila. GNEHM