PM FAYEZ PLANS "CONTROLLED" POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 006960

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD PHUM KDEM IZ JO
SUBJECT: PM FAYEZ PLANS "CONTROLLED" POLITICAL
LIBERALIZATION, IMPROVED RELATIONS WITH THE GULF

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

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) New PM Faisal al-Fayez told the Ambassador October
28 that he hopes to implement needed but "controlled"
political reforms, reaching out to political parties
(including Islamists),NGOs and communities in the process.
He sees great economic challenges, especially in controlling
the budget deficit, but hopes to work with Saudi Arabia and
Kuwait for assistance. The Ambassador reviewed Jordan's
cooperation with the new Iraqi government, the U.S.-Jordan
extradition treaty, and human rights issues. END SUMMARY.

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"CONTROLLED" POLITICAL LIBERALIZATION
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2. (C) A very relaxed, comfortable and jovial Prime
Minister Faisal al-Fayez received the Ambassador and DCM in
his new office October 28. Fayez said he is aware of the
problems facing him and his government, but cited his direct
relationship with King Abdullah as an important asset.
Queried by the Ambassador about the new government's
rhetorical focus on political reform, Fayez expressed his
intention to proceed with "controlled" political
liberalization through measured steps. It was imperative, he
argued, that Jordan open up politically, but it was also
imperative to move gradually to maintain stability. Fayez
said he intended to open a dialogue with all factions of
society -- political parties (including the Muslim
Brotherhood/Islamic Action Front),members of Parliament,
pressure groups, and communities. Fayez agreed that there is
a particular need to strengthen NGOs and other independent
institutions, saying that this is precisely why the King had
chosen lawyer/women's activist Asma Khader as spokesperson
for the government.

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ECONOMIC CHALLENGES? LOOK TO THE GULF
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3. (C) Fayez smilingly listed off the economic challenges
he faces, especially the need to increase revenues and lower
the budget deficit. He said he planned to travel to Saudi
Arabia soon to seek an extension for one year of the current
deal which supplies Jordan 50,000 bbls/day of Saudi crude
free of charge. Fayez said he and his father have had
historically good relations with the al-Saud, particularly
Riyadh Governor Prince Salman. Fayez also expressed a desire
to travel to Kuwait, saying that members of the Kuwaiti
parliament, not the government, were the obstacle to improved
bilateral ties (Comment: and, presumably, increased Kuwaiti
assistance as well. End Comment). He thought he could open
a dialogue with those Kuwaitis who are hostile to Jordan.

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IRAQ ASSETS, EXTRADITION TREATY, HUMAN RIGHTS
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4. (C) The Ambassador reviewed for Fayez the extensive
cooperation between Jordan and the new Iraqi
government/Coalition Provisional Authority. Fayez was
supportive of continued Jordanian engagement with Iraq. The
Ambassador laid out the state of play on Iraqi assets and the
status of the refugee camps at Ruwaished and in No Man's Land
on the Jordan-Iraq border. He told Fayez he had asked former
PM Abul Ragheb to present the U.S.-Jordan bilateral
extradition treaty to Parliament, and asked Fayez to do the
same. He also raised a prominent human rights case. Fayez
professed ignorance about the specifics of these issues based
on his newness in office, but promised to follow up .


5. (U) CPA Baghdad minimize considered.

Visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at

http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/

or access the site through the State Department's SIPRNET
home page.
GNEHM