FONMIN MUASHER WILL NOT ATTEND MARCH 24 CAIRO ARAB

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 001745 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2012 TAGS: PREL IZ AL XF JO SUBJECT: FONMIN MUASHER WILL NOT ATTEND MARCH 24 CAIRO ARAB LEAGUE MINISTERIAL REF: STATE 75616 Classified By: A/DCM Doug Silliman for reasons 1.5 (B)(D) ¶1. (C) Ambassador spoke with Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher March 23 to deliver ref points on the planned March 24 Arab League ministerial meeting in Cairo. The Ambassador asked that Jordan work to avoid statements or actions that would undermine current efforts to disarm the Iraqi regime and liberate the Iraqi people, and to help the meeting focus on support for a new Iraq. ¶2. (C) Muasher responded that he was sure the ministerial would be "a bad meeting," especially "with Libya in the chair." Consequently, he did not want to be associated with it and would not attend. He said he did not expect "the Gulf Foreign Ministers" to attend. Muasher said Jordan's Ambassador in Cairo will represent Jordan, and that he has instructions to avoid language that will undermine coalition efforts, and to encourage discussion of the future of Iraq. GNEHM