A/S BURNS DISCUSSES IRAQ WITH PM ABUL RAGHEB AND

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 005188

SIPDIS

NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2013
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS ASEC EFIN IZ JO
SUBJECT: A/S BURNS DISCUSSES IRAQ WITH PM ABUL RAGHEB AND
FONMIN MUASHER

REF: AMMAN 5041 (NOTAL)

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


1. (S) In separate meetings with PM Abul Ragheb and FonMin
Muasher August 13, A/S Burns expressed condolences for the
bombing of the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad and pledged
continued USG support in the investigation. Muasher
characterized the recent Arab League (AL) meeting in Cairo as
"positive" on Iraq, noting that Jordan will join the CIC and
receive members of the Iraqi Governing Council (GC),except
Ahmed Chalabi. PM Abul Ragheb hoped the Jordanian private
sector could play a positive role in Iraq, but suggested that
the GC and CPA set out the rules for foreign investment and
economic transactions as soon as possible. END SUMMARY.

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CONDOLENCES ON BOMBING, BAGHDAD EMBASSY SECURITY
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2. (S) A/S Burns expressed condolences for the bombing of
the Jordanian Embassy in separate meetings with Prime
Minister Ali Abul Ragheb and Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher
August 13. Charge and PolCouns attended both meetings, and
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shaher Bak joined the
PM's meeting. A/S Burns described his recent trip to Iraq
and differences he saw between the difficult situation in
Baghdad and more positive developments in other parts of the
country. He also outlined Amb. Bremer's plan to have a
constitution written and elections held for a fully sovereign
Iraqi government if possible within a year. He said the U.S.
is encouraging the members of the GC to visit regional states
to explain what they are doing. He also outlined the draft
UN Security Council Resolution that the U.S. had introduced
in New York.


3. (S) Abul Ragheb and Muasher thanked Burns for USG
support to the Jordanian Mission following the bombing, and
reiterated the GOJ's earlier request (ref) for "full" USG
protection for the alternate Jordanian mission site in
Baghdad, the former Jordanian Ambassador's Residence: "We
can't go through another attack," Muasher said. Both asked
to be kept abreast of all of the developments in the
investigation into the bombing. PM Abul Ragheb noted that
the bombing of the Embassy was followed almost immediately by
looting by a large group of Iraqis. This suggested that the
bombing and looting were coordinated, and done by people who
wanted to send the message that Iraqis are not happy with
Jordan's presence in Iraq. Charge Hale noted that an FBI
team was transiting Jordan on its way to conduct the
investigation.


4. (S/NF) In a separate conversation August 13, Muasher's
Office Director, Ali al-Ayed, told PolCouns that ORCA Baghdad
and Jordanian security service personnel would conduct a
joint security evaluation of the Jordanian Ambassador's
Residence in Baghdad on August 14.

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ARAB LEAGUE MORE POSITIVE ON IRAQ THAN U.S. REALIZES
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5. (C) Muasher commented that the U.S. has unfairly
characterized the August 5 Arab League ministerial level
follow-up committee meeting in Cairo as negative on Iraq.
Although the meeting had not reached consensus on recognizing
the GC as a sovereign state, it had nonetheless been one of
the most productive Arab League meetings he has attended in
the past two years. The "general spirit" of the discussion
on Iraq and the GC was good, even from Syria. There was
"almost a consensus" that the AL and Arab states must deal
with the GC in a realistic manner.


6. (C) Abul Ragheb and Muasher noted that Jordan would be
happy to receive members of the GC, except for Ahmed Chalabi.
Muasher expressed hope that, when free elections for an
Iraqi government are held, "Chalabi won't be a problem."
(Note: Muasher's presumption was that Chalabi would be
defeated in any vote. End note.) Abul Ragheb welcomed the
U.S. approach to the UNSC on Iraq, noting that greater UN
involvement in Iraq would be positive.

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JORDAN WILL JOIN THE CIC
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7. (C) Muasher said that Jordan has decided to appoint a
representative to the CIC. At the moment, the GOJ is trying
to identify an appropriate official with the proper economic
background. In the meantime, Jordan's Charge in Baghdad,
Dimae Haddad, will attend CIC meetings. Abul Ragheb said
that he hoped Jordan's private sector could help in Iraq in
two ways. First, Jordanian companies could complete small,
short-term reconstruction projects. Second, many Jordanian
firms would seek a larger long-term role. However, the CPA
and GC must first clarify the legal ground rules for foreign
investment, customs, taxes and tax incentives, and land and
real property ownership.

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LET IRAQIS BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN SECURITY
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8. (C) A/S Burns noted that there are more than 34,000
Iraqi police officers back at work. Abul Ragheb applauded
this fact, saying that it is vitally important that Iraqis be
responsible for their own security. He also opined that the
CPA is too concerned with de-Baathification, and that it is
more important to "get the system up and running" than to
eliminate all former officials.


9. (U) A/S Burns has cleared this message.


10. (U) CPA Baghdad minimize considered.
HALE