JORDANIANS PROUD, SKEPTICAL OF AQABA SUMMIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 003311

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2013
TAGS: PREL IS KPAL JO MEPP
SUBJECT: JORDANIANS PROUD, SKEPTICAL OF AQABA SUMMIT


Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm. Reasons 1.5 (b,d)

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Summary
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1. (C) Initial reaction from a sample of Embassy contacts and
the local press indicates that most Jordanians feel a
combination of pride for Jordan's role as host of the Aqaba
Summit (and King Abdullah's performance as Hussein-like
peacemaker),but lingering skepticism that any real progress
will result in the weeks ahead. Many welcomed the
President's personal intervention but remain unconvinced that
the U.S. can be an honest broker in the conflict. There is
also deep cynicism about Sharon's intentions and Israel's
true "desire for peace." End Summary.

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Nice to Be in the Spotlight
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2. (C) Most contacts and local press, before launching into a
more jaundiced appraisal of the outcome of the Aqaba Summit,
assessed that the King played his host's role well and had
done a good job showcasing Jordan to the outside world. In a
June 5 editorial, the government-affiliated Jordan Times said
the summit showed the Kingdom "can punch well above its
weight," drew parallels to King Hussein's participation at
the Wye Plantation talks, and said the King had provided a
"gift of pragmatism, clarity, lucidity and balanced
objectivity." The King drew similar praise from Woman's
Rights activist Nadia Bushnaq (who commented that his speech
"was the best of the bunch") and from a local business
contact who told PolCouns that the picture of the four
leaders assembled in front of Aqaba's mountains and sea was a
terrific advertisement for the Kingdom.

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Good that the President Came,
But Can U.S. Really Be an Honest Broker?
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3. (C) That said, many were quick to caution that while the
words spoken sounded nice, the true test would be what takes
place on the ground. The Director of Crown Prince Hamzeh's
office commented "I am personally encouraged, and I hope this
isn't only a photo opportunity. We have to wait and see and
to believe because the alternative is too dark." Regarding
the President, he went on to say "simply put, we will not get
anyone higher than Bush and we will not get any other Abu
Mazen -- there is no alternative but to support this."
Fardous Askar, a writer who is running for Parliament in the
June 17 elections, told POLFSN that many he has spoken with
"are encouraged because for the first time the U.S. was
truthful about wanting to make a change." The
English-language weekly "The Star" noted that "President Bush
appeared serious . . . and after all is said and done,
America's part in bringing the two sides together is
invaluable -- without its patronage and commitment to a just
and lasting settlement, Israel will simply not deliver on its
promises."


4. (C) A local political analyst, however, had a more
downbeat assessment of U.S. motives: "The whole thing was a
production for Bush's campaign. I don't believe anything
will change." He added that "It looked like the whole summit
was about the Palestinians' need to stop terror and violence.
I don't think anything was asked of Sharon."

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Deep Distrust of Sharon Unchanged
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5. (C) One sentiment that was nearly universal among contacts
was that Prime Minister Sharon did little to change
Jordanians' deeply negative opinion of him. Human Rights
activist Fawzi Samhoury judged Sharon's speech "a joke,
because all settlements should be dismantled, and not just
some outposts." A Jordanian diplomat echoed this feeling:
"It was a bit disturbing that Sharon never made a comment
about a free Palestinian state . . . (his) remarks about
uprooting outposts are disappointing because all settlements
are illegal and should be uprooted and not just outposts that
Israel deems illegal." Oraib Rintawi, writing in the
Arabic-language daily "Ad-Dustour," likened the current
effort to a "peace train" which the President forced Sharon
to board. However, he cautioned, Sharon can still jump off
this train later. Similarly, Jihad al-Momani in a column
published in the government-affiliated Arabic Daily "Ar-Rai"
evinced skepticism that the Aqaba Summit will be any
different from pervious efforts. Israel won't change,
settlements will remain and Palestinians will continue to be
pushed off their land, he wrote. Before long, Washington
will again accuse the Palestinians of missing an opportunity
for peace. Finally, another contact noted "Sharon's idea of
negotiating in good faith is by invading Jenin yesterday, and
shooting 11 Palestinians in Nablus."

Comment
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6. (C) After the violence of the past 32 months and a string
of unsuccessful attempts to revive the MEPP, most Jordanians
are, as one of our FSNs said, "afraid to be hopeful." Scenes
of handshakes and smiles and well-crafted speeches, as
important as they are, will not change this basic outlook by
themselves. Only when Jordanians see on-the-ground
improvements in the lives of Palestinians will they believe
that a new chapter in the peace process really has begun.
GNEHM