Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN1855
2003-03-27 14:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
MEPI ELECTION ASSISTANCE FOR JORDAN
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS AMMAN 001855
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR STATE NEA ATTN. LIZ CHENEY, NEA/PPD, NEA/RA
NEA/ARN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON EAID PREL KDEM SCUL KPAO XF JO
SUBJECT: MEPI ELECTION ASSISTANCE FOR JORDAN
REF: ZIADEH/SILLIMAN EMAIL (3-26); AMMAN 01650
UNCLAS AMMAN 001855
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR STATE NEA ATTN. LIZ CHENEY, NEA/PPD, NEA/RA
NEA/ARN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON EAID PREL KDEM SCUL KPAO XF JO
SUBJECT: MEPI ELECTION ASSISTANCE FOR JORDAN
REF: ZIADEH/SILLIMAN EMAIL (3-26); AMMAN 01650
1. (SBU) IN THE COURSE OF A COURTESY CALL BY THE NEW USAID
DIRECTOR AND THE AMBASSADOR ON MARCH 27, THE AMBASSADOR
DISCUSSED WITH PLANNING MINISTER BASSAM AWADALLAH THE
PROPOSED $400,000 MIDDLE EAST PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE (MEPI)
ELECTION ASSISTANCE. THE PROJECT IS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN
COOPERATION WITH THE CONSORTIUM FOR ELECTORAL AND POLITICAL
PROCESS STRENGTHENING (CEPPS). THE MINISTER, WHOSE SUPPORT
IS ESSENTIAL FOR THIS PROJECT BECAUSE OF ITS POTENTIAL
POLITICAL SENSITIVITY IN THIS DIFFICULT PERIOD, AGREED WITH
THE PROPOSAL IN PRINCIPLE, BUT EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF
CONSULTING CLOSELY WITH THE GOJ ON ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
2. (SBU) THE AMBASSADOR AND THE MINISTER AGREED THAT THEY
WOULD MEMORIALIZE THEIR AGREEMENT BY COUNTER SIGNED
IMPLEMENTATION LETTER EARLY NEXT WEEK TO ENSURE THAT THE
MISSION AND THE PLANNING MINISTRY ARE KEPT FULLY APPRISED OF
THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ELECTION PROJECT. THE
PROJECT WILL CONSIST OF TRAINING FOR CANDIDATES AND CAMPAIGN
MANAGERS, PARTICULARLY FOR FEMALE CANDIDATES, AS WELL AS THE
STRENGTHENING OF POLITICAL PARTIES AND NGO'S INVOLVED IN
ADVOCATING ISSUES AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE ELECTION PROCESS.
3. (SBU) THE MISSION LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH
NEA AND CEPPS, THE GRANTEE, IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
OF THIS PROJECT. WE SUGGEST THAT IF THE $400,000 IS
APPROVED, THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AMMAN,
IN COORDINATION WITH THE MISSION'S INTERAGENCY MEPI
COMMITTEE, TO WORK WITH THE GRANTEE CEPPS TO DRAW UP A
WORKPLAN LEADING UP TO THE JUNE ELECTIONS.
2. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH NEA ON THIS IMPORTANT
FORM OF SUPPORT FOR JORDAN'S ELECTIONS, POSSIBLY THE FIRST
MAJOR ELECTIONS IN THE REGION AFTER THE LIBERATION OF IRAQ
AND AN IMPORTANT BENCHMARK FOR THE MEPI INITIATIVE.
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR STATE NEA ATTN. LIZ CHENEY, NEA/PPD, NEA/RA
NEA/ARN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON EAID PREL KDEM SCUL KPAO XF JO
SUBJECT: MEPI ELECTION ASSISTANCE FOR JORDAN
REF: ZIADEH/SILLIMAN EMAIL (3-26); AMMAN 01650
1. (SBU) IN THE COURSE OF A COURTESY CALL BY THE NEW USAID
DIRECTOR AND THE AMBASSADOR ON MARCH 27, THE AMBASSADOR
DISCUSSED WITH PLANNING MINISTER BASSAM AWADALLAH THE
PROPOSED $400,000 MIDDLE EAST PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE (MEPI)
ELECTION ASSISTANCE. THE PROJECT IS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN
COOPERATION WITH THE CONSORTIUM FOR ELECTORAL AND POLITICAL
PROCESS STRENGTHENING (CEPPS). THE MINISTER, WHOSE SUPPORT
IS ESSENTIAL FOR THIS PROJECT BECAUSE OF ITS POTENTIAL
POLITICAL SENSITIVITY IN THIS DIFFICULT PERIOD, AGREED WITH
THE PROPOSAL IN PRINCIPLE, BUT EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF
CONSULTING CLOSELY WITH THE GOJ ON ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
2. (SBU) THE AMBASSADOR AND THE MINISTER AGREED THAT THEY
WOULD MEMORIALIZE THEIR AGREEMENT BY COUNTER SIGNED
IMPLEMENTATION LETTER EARLY NEXT WEEK TO ENSURE THAT THE
MISSION AND THE PLANNING MINISTRY ARE KEPT FULLY APPRISED OF
THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ELECTION PROJECT. THE
PROJECT WILL CONSIST OF TRAINING FOR CANDIDATES AND CAMPAIGN
MANAGERS, PARTICULARLY FOR FEMALE CANDIDATES, AS WELL AS THE
STRENGTHENING OF POLITICAL PARTIES AND NGO'S INVOLVED IN
ADVOCATING ISSUES AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE ELECTION PROCESS.
3. (SBU) THE MISSION LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH
NEA AND CEPPS, THE GRANTEE, IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
OF THIS PROJECT. WE SUGGEST THAT IF THE $400,000 IS
APPROVED, THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AMMAN,
IN COORDINATION WITH THE MISSION'S INTERAGENCY MEPI
COMMITTEE, TO WORK WITH THE GRANTEE CEPPS TO DRAW UP A
WORKPLAN LEADING UP TO THE JUNE ELECTIONS.
2. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH NEA ON THIS IMPORTANT
FORM OF SUPPORT FOR JORDAN'S ELECTIONS, POSSIBLY THE FIRST
MAJOR ELECTIONS IN THE REGION AFTER THE LIBERATION OF IRAQ
AND AN IMPORTANT BENCHMARK FOR THE MEPI INITIATIVE.