JORDANIANS CONDEMN BOMBING OF U.S. CONVOY IN GAZA,

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 006599

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2013
TAGS: KPAL IS ASEC PTER JO
SUBJECT: JORDANIANS CONDEMN BOMBING OF U.S. CONVOY IN GAZA,
WAIT FOR U.S. REACTION


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

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) Jordanians expressed shock and condemnation in the
immediate aftermath of the October 15 attack on a U.S.
diplomatic convoy in the Gaza Strip. The GOJ strongly
condemned the bombing and extended its condolences to the
families of the victims. Noting that the investigation into
the attack is in the early stages, some of our contacts were
not convinced that official Americans were the intended
target. They worried that the incident could spark a new
round of violence that could, in turn, increase anti-US
sentiment in Jordan. See septel for account of Embassy Amman
EAC meeting. End Summary.

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GOJ REACTS STRONGLY TO THE BOMBING
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2. (C) The GOJ reacted with shock and condemnation to the
October 15 attack on a U.S. diplomatic convoy in Gaza.
Foreign Minister Muasher's Private Office Director, Ali
al-Ayed, told PolCouns just after the blast that the death of
Americans in Gaza came as a complete shock. He expressed the
GOJ's strong condemnation of the attack, as well as its deep
condolences to the families of those killed and injured. He
said he had briefed Foreign Minister Muasher (who is
currently out of the country) by phone as soon as he heard
about the attack, and expected Muasher to condemn it publicly
at the first opportunity. Security and police sources did
not expect the attack to cause unrest in Jordan.

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SOME NOT CONVINCED OFFICIAL AMERICANS WERE THE INTENDED TARGET
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3. (C) Many of our contacts immediately after the bombing
expressed shock at the news, but were not convinced that
official Americans were the intended target. Jordanian
publisher and peace process specialist Ghazi Sa'di told us
that if the bombing was intended to hit Americans, this
clearly was wrong since American involvement is needed for
peace efforts, including monitoring activities. Former
government minister and current university professor Suleiman
Arabiyat denounced the bombing as "shameful," especially
since the convoy was going into Gaza for purely peaceful
civilian purposes. He added that it benefited no one but the
enemies of peace and cannot be justified.


4. (C) Former member of Parliament and Fatah member Hamadeh
Faraneh said the bombing was very regrettable and should be
condemned. Faraneh mentioned that he was with former Gaza
security chief Mohammad Dahlan in Amman when Dahlan got a
call informing him of the bombing. Faraneh said that Dahlan
was visibly upset and said he would return to Gaza
immediately, canceling an appointment in Egypt.

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OTHERS WORRY ATTACK COULD SPARK NEW ROUND OF VIOLENCE
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5. (C) Director of Jordan University's Center for Strategic
Studies Mustafa Hamarneh expressed shock at the news of the
attack and said that if Palestinian militants were
responsible, it would be a "grave development," given that
the Palestinian groups had thus far confined their attacks to
Israeli interests. He worried that the bombing would spark a
new round of violence in the Palestinian areas that could, in
turn, increase anti-American sentiment in Jordan.


6. (C) Jamal Talhat, fellow at the Jordanian Armed Forces
staff college, says that if Palestinian militants had
specifically targeted the U.S., it means that they have
reached the level of "self-destruction," as it will only
deepen U.S.-Israeli cooperation against them. By going after
a non-Israeli non-military target, it also means that whoever
was
responsible has lost the distinction between legitimate
resistance and terrorism.


7. (C) COMMENT: This initial reaction -- although skeptical
that U.S. officials could have been targeted -- is
surprisingly objective, recognizing that such attacks further
jeopardize the U.S. capacity to sustain peace efforts.
GNEHM