Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03AMMAN6767
2003-10-22 17:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

JORDAN'S NEW GOVERNMENT TAKES SHAPE, BUT STILL

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM KWMN ECON JO 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 AMMAN 006767 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KWMN ECON JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN'S NEW GOVERNMENT TAKES SHAPE, BUT STILL
EVOLVING

REF: AMMAN 06728

Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm for Reasons 1.5 (B,D)

-------
SUMMARY
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 AMMAN 006767

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KWMN ECON JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN'S NEW GOVERNMENT TAKES SHAPE, BUT STILL
EVOLVING

REF: AMMAN 06728

Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm for Reasons 1.5 (B,D)

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) King Abdullah formally accepted the resignation of
Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb on October 22 and entrusted
Royal Court Minister Faisal Fayez with forming a new
government. Political insiders, however, express doubt over
Fayez's ability to effectively lead a team of Ministers to
implement reforms. No final decisions have been made on the
appointment of new Ministers, but Embassy sources indicate
that Jordan's new Cabinet may contain a substantial number of
Ministers from Abul Ragheb's outgoing government. The
still-evolving list of prospective Ministers as of now
contains no great surprises and signals no major changes with
respect to current economic policies. The possible inclusion
of several women and a Minister for Political Development
would lend credence to the reported new emphasis on human
rights and democracy. End Summary.

--------------
ABUL RAGHEB IS OUT, FAYEZ IS IN
--------------


2. (U) Information Minister Nabil Sharif told the press late
October 21 that Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb would submit
his resignation to King Abdullah October 22 upon the King's
return from an overseas trip. A follow-up official statement
late on October 22 confirmed that Abul Ragheb had tendered
his resignation, which was accepted by the King.


3. (U) The Palace officially announced that King Abdullah
has chosen Royal Court Minister Faisal Fayez to succeed Abul
Ragheb as Prime Minister and asked him to form a new
government. Sharif earlier described Fayez as having "the
respect of and admiration of many Jordanians," and further
said that Fayez was "a well experienced politician who is
absolutely capable of carrying out responsibilities and
serving his country and his people."


4. (C) Despite Sharif's rather glowing characterization, the
choice of Fayez as Prime Minister has not inspired confidence
among Embassy contacts. As reported reftel, Fayez is seen as
lacking the experience, influence and vision necessary to

implement an ambitious reform agenda. During a conversation
with the DCM on October 21, outgoing Finance Minister Michel
Marto said that Abul Ragheb asked him if he would be willing
to serve as Minister of Finance under Fayez, but that he
declined. Marto explained that while Fayez was a very nice
person socially, he had no concept of budget or fiscal
discipline.

--------------
A NEW CABINET BEGINS TO EMERGE
--------------


5. (C) King Abdullah is holding a two-day retreat with
prospective members of the new Cabinet (see reftel) before he
makes any final decisions on government Ministers. Drawing
from a variety of sources, we have put together lists of
possible Cabinet Ministers. Biographic information for the
full Cabinet will be provided septel when the Cabinet is
officially announced, possibly as early as Saturday. We
caution that these lists are not/not final, but a compilation
of insider information and informed speculation.


6. (C) The following Ministerial positions have so far been
associated with only one name by the press and/or Embassy
contacts. Even though there may be a consensus that these
are the present front-runners, the selection process is a
work in progress and the King may change his mind at any time
before public announcements are made.

Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Trade/Industry: Mohammad
Halaiqa (current Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs)

Minister of Planning: Bassem Awadallah (current Minister of
Planning)

Minister of Information Technology: Fawaz Zubi (current
Minister of Information Technology)

Minister of Finance: Mohammad Abu Hammour (current Minister
of Trade & Industry)

Minister of Education & Higher Education: Khalid Touqan
(current Minister of Education)

Minister of Islamic Affairs: Ahmad Hilayel (current Minister
of Islamic Affairs)

Minister of Energy: Azmi Khreisat (new)

Minister of Water & Agriculture: Hazem Nasser (current
Minister of Water)
Minister of Tourism & the Environment: Alia Bouran (new)

Minister of Public Works & Transport: Hosni Abu Gheida
(current Minister of Public Works)

Minister of Foreign Affairs: Marwan Muasher (current
Minister of Foreign Affairs)

Minister of Justice & Prime Ministry Affairs: Salah
Al-Bashir (former Minister of Trade & Industry)

Minister of Political Development & Parliamentary Affairs:
Mohammad Dawudiyyeh (new)

Minister of Municipality Affairs: Amal Farhan (new)
Minister of Health: Said Darwazeh (new)


7. (C) In addition to the above list, the following
prospective Cabinet positions are even more uncertain:

Minister of Interior: Samir Habashneh (current Minister of
Interior) OR Ali Khalifeh (new)

Minister of Labor: Amjed Majali (new) OR Muzahim Muhaisin
(current Minister of Labor)


8. (C) As reported reftel, it is widely expected that the
new Cabinet will be reduced in size from 29 to approximately
20 Ministers. Some Ministries will likely be abolished
(e.g., Ministry of Information, Ministry of Culture) while
others will be consolidated (e.g., Water & Agriculture,
Education & Higher Education).

--------------
BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING?
--------------


9. (C) In addition to the two prospective female Ministers
listed above (i.e., Alia Bouran and Amal Farhan),one
additional Cabinet portfolio -- possibly Social Development
-- may be given to a woman. Names up for consideration
include: Widjan Saket, Salwa Masri and Hala Latouf. The
Ambassador was told by an informed Cabinet source that
another woman, outspoken human rights activist Asma Khader,
is a leading candidate for official government spokesperson.
While not a Cabinet Minister, this is nevertheless an
important position with high visibility.

--------------
MORE FOCUS ON SOCIAL PROGRESS
--------------


10. (C) Based on the current list of possible Cabinet
members, a large number of the new Ministers may be carried
over from the outgoing government. This should provide for a
large degree of continuity, especially with respect to
economic policies. Mohammad Halaiqa told the Ambassador on
October 22 that he would be given broad control of the
overall economic portfolio in the new government, with
specific pieces of the economy given to other Ministers.
While it has been rumored that Michel Marto will be picked as
the new Governor of the Central bank, Marto told the DCM that
he has not been offered the position, although he would
accept if asked.


11. (C) The inclusion of up to three women in the new
Cabinet would serve as a visible symbol of the Palace's
oft-stated commitment to promote empowerment of women.
Similarly, the addition of a Minister for Political
Development, especially if given a serious role, would be a
sign that King Abdullah intends to put more effort into
broadening the political system and encouraging greater
democracy, though to what extent remains unknown.

--------------
POSSIBLE WARNING SIGNS
--------------


12. (C) Not all political insiders appear happy with the
prospective new Cabinet. Marto confided to the DCM that in
his opinion, the incoming government contained "several
ignoramuses and one nit-wit," and that he wished them all
good luck as "they will need it."


13. (C) Halaiqa told the Ambassador he was concerned over
the inclusion of too many young, inexperienced Ministers and
envisioned press headlines that read "The Kids Are Coming!"
Halaiqa said that he recommended to the King and Fayez that
the new Cabinet contain two to three experienced
"heavyweights" to counter this reaction, but did not get the
impression that they would follow his advice. Halaiqa
further stated that one or more of the potential Ministers
had undefined "problems" with Parliament, and that he had
encouraged Fayez to call the leaders of parliamentary blocs
(many of who are currently traveling outside of Jordan)
before any Ministers were publicly announced to make them
feel part of the process and ward off avoidable criticism
from MPs.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


14. (C) King Abdullah may yet make changes to his current
"short list" of Cabinet Ministers based on the outcome of the
Aqaba retreat. The King appears to want solid commitments to
his priorities by all prospective Ministers. Fayez faces a
formidable challenge as Prime Minister given his relative
lack of political experience and influence, but his close
relationship with the King will go a long way to getting him
through the tough road ahead of him.


15. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.

Please visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at
http://www.state.sgov/p/nea/amman/ or access the site through
the Department of State's SIPRNET home page.
GNEHM