TFIZO1: 104 (LESS PROMINENT) JORDANIANS SIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 001981

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM IZ JO
SUBJECT: TFIZO1: 104 (LESS PROMINENT) JORDANIANS SIGN
SECOND LETTER SUPPORTING KING ABDULLAH'S ANTI-WAR EFFORTS

REF: AMMAN 1954

Classified By: PolCouns Doug Silliman for reasons 1.5 (B)(D)

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DUELING LETTERS
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1. (C) On April 2nd, Al Arab Al Yawm newspaper published a
second letter addressed to King Abdullah. The letter
contains one basic point -- the signatories support the
King's handling of the war and his continuing efforts to stop
the "aggression" against Iraq. The letter also praises the
King's wise and brave leadership. The letter's signatories
include both prominent and lesser known Jordanians, but the
list generally lacks the luster of those who signed the March
31 letter (reftel). Among the signers are ex
parliamentarians, a former speaker of the Lower House,
businessmen and prominent tribal leaders. We note that,
while this letter calls for efforts to stop the war, it does
not mention the U.S. or UK.

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IT'S ABOUT THE KING'S LEGITIMACY
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2. (C) PolCouns spoke April 2 with Naif Mawla, former MP
and signatory of the second letter. Mawla said that he had
been shown the draft of the first letter, but -- although he
opposes the war in Iraq -- had declined to associate himself
with it because of its implied questioning of the King's
legitimacy. After the publication of the first letter, Mawla
said, he and several other pro-Hashemite politicians -- we
suspect in cooperation with the Palace -- decided to draft a
second letter to show their support for the King's stand.
Mawla, at several points during the conversation, said he
hoped that Jordan would be able to benefit economically in
the new Iraq. No one will miss Saddam Hussein, he assured
us.


3. (C) King Abdullah, while never directly addressing the
first letter, expressed April 1 his support for the measures
undertaken by the government during the "difficult
circumstances" in the region. The King expressed "deep
concern" over the rise in civilian casualties and called upon
the government to make every effort to guarantee the
protection of Iraqi civilians. Lastly, the King praised
Jordanians for how "responsible" they have been during past
demonstrations.

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COMMENT
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4. (C) The appearance of the second letter -- whether
orchestrated by the Palace or not -- should reduce the sting
of the first letter somewhat. The King's April 1 statement
in support of the government's efforts seems designed to
counter the idea that the government is not doing anything to
act on the rage and sorrow felt by most Jordanians. We
expect to see other such statements in the days ahead.
GNEHM