Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN4491
2003-07-21 15:28:00
SECRET
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

PM AND CABINET RESIGN; MINOR RESHUFFLE IN THE WORKS

Tags:  PGOV PREL ETRD PINR JO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T AMMAN 004491 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL ETRD PINR JO
SUBJECT: PM AND CABINET RESIGN; MINOR RESHUFFLE IN THE WORKS

REF: AMMAN 04332

Classified By: CDA DAVID HALE FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)

--------------------------------------------- -
AS EXPECTED...KING ASKS PM TO FORM NEW CABINET
--------------------------------------------- -

S E C R E T AMMAN 004491

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL ETRD PINR JO
SUBJECT: PM AND CABINET RESIGN; MINOR RESHUFFLE IN THE WORKS

REF: AMMAN 04332

Classified By: CDA DAVID HALE FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)

-------------- -
AS EXPECTED...KING ASKS PM TO FORM NEW CABINET
-------------- -


1. (S) PM Abul Ragheb on July 19 submitted the resignation of
his cabinet. King Abdullah on July 20 asked him to form a
new Cabinet. In a conversation with the Ambassador on July
13 (see Reftel),the King said this reshuffle would be minor
and entail the change of just a few ministers. New Lower
House Speaker Srour told the Charge on July 21 that he had
consulted with the PM on the new government. The PM told him
the new cabinet would have only 4-5 changes (per reftel, the
King has in mind an even lower number). The PM can submit
the new government to Parliament for approval within 30 days;
and there is speculation he will do so within a day or two.
Srour expected 4-5 days of floor debate in the Lower House
before a vote.

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FEW CHANGES EXPECTED
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2. (C) According to Srour, the PM said he would split the
Tourism and Transport portfolios--currently headed by one
minister. A trade contact told Econoff that Finance Minister
Secretary General Mohammad Abu Hammour will replace Trade

SIPDIS
Minister Saleh al-Bashir. According to a senior official at
the Ministry of Information, Nabil al-Sharif, editor of the
Arabic daily al-Dustour, will become the new Information
Minister. The Jordan Times reported on July 21 that Foreign
Minister Muasher, Justice Minister Faris Nabulsi, Finance
Minister Marto, Planning Minister Awadullah, and Water and
Irrigation Minister Nasser would retain their Cabinet
positions. The local Arabic press speculated that Mohammad
Halaiqa--who served previously as the Minister of National
Economy--might return as Deputy Prime Minister and that
Khalid Touqan, the current Minister of Education, might be
departing.

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COMMENT
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3. (C) Post expects no policy shifts to result from the
reshuffle and only a small number of relatively minor Cabinet
positions to change hands.
HALE