IRAQ: JORDAN BRIEFED ON U.S. REACTION TO IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 007450 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/24/2007 TAGS: PARM PREL JO SUBJECT: IRAQ: JORDAN BRIEFED ON U.S. REACTION TO IRAQ DECLARATION REF: SECSTATE 262235 Classified By: Political Counselor Doug Silliman for reasons 1.5 (B)(D) ¶1. (C) The Ambassador on December 21 summarized ref information on the U.S. reaction to Iraq's weapons declaration with Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher. Muasher had little comment on the presentation, other than to say that he had been following the subject in the press, and that "everyone expects a war." ¶2. (C) PolCouns followed up on December 24 with Ali al-Ayed, the Minister's personal aide, presented him with copies of Secretary Powell's press statement on the declaration, Amb. Negroponte's comments to the press, and the U.S. fact sheet, and emphasized the lacunae in the Iraqi document. Ayed noted the seriousness of the U.S. demarche, and expressed thanks for the texts of the U.S. statements. He noted that the Jordanian UN mission would be following the issue closely in the weeks ahead. GNEHM