GROUP OF JORDANIAN MP'S ASKS GOVERNMENT TO OPPOSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 005766

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ JO
SUBJECT: GROUP OF JORDANIAN MP'S ASKS GOVERNMENT TO OPPOSE
ATTENDANCE OF IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL AT AL MINISTERIAL


Classified By: Amb. Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (b)(d)


1. (U) Thirty two members of the lower house of the
Jordanian Parliament (MPs) have sent a petition to the
government asking that Jordan oppose the seating of
"representatives of American occupation" -- that is, the
Iraqi Governing Council (GC) -- at the upcoming Arab League
(AL) Ministerial meeting in Cairo. The petition argues that
the GC should not participate because the AL charter permits
membership only to independent states and "Iraq is occupied
by the Americans, according to UN Resolution 1483."


2. (U) Jordanian Information Minister Nabil Sharif told the
press that the GOJ respects the MPs' opinion, but is still in
consultation with other Arab states on the issue. "We want
to come up with a position that is acceptable to other Arab
states," he said. Sharif noted that the AL could follow the
example if the UN Security Council, which had permitted a GC
representative to attend a SC meeting as an observer.


3. (C) King Abdullah, PM Abul Ragheb, and MFA officials
tell us that they will work to see GC reps seated at the AL
Ministerial to speed Iraq's re-integration into the Arab
mainstream.


4. (C) COMMENT: Since only 32 of the 110 MPs signed the
petition, it is unlikely to influence the GOJ's position at
the AL Ministerial. However, this and other possible
Parliamentary objections to GOJ policy -- especially if
phrased in populist terms that condemn "occupation" -- could
lead the GOJ to be more cautious in its public support for
the GC.


5. (U) CPA Baghdad minimize considered.
GNEHM