1. (C) Ambassador, AID Country Director, AID officer and
PolOff made an October 28 courtesy call on new Justice
Minister Salah al-Bashir. Bashir requested that AID
participate in the meeting and used the courtesy call as a
platform to seek financial assistance for his judicial reform
plans. Explaining his broad vision for a human rights and
democratization agenda in the Ministry, he sought quick AID
assistance for an urgent initial research and strategy phase,
and also for the later implementation phase. Referring to
recent polling data (reported reftel) that suggests only a
60% approval rating of the judicial system, he stated that
the rate should be higher and sees his plan leading to the
building of "an inclusive pillar for (Jordanian) state and
society."



2. (C) Bashir mentioned a number of costs facing his
ministry--including infrastructure, personnel, and
training--that cannot be met by the Jordanian budget. While
he reviewed the status of AID, MEPI, and PASA funding, the
Ambassador clearly pointed out that Bashir's ambitious plans
would also be hard for the USG to fund, especially as quickly
as he would like. AID offered to look into assisting with the
early stage of the research and strategy phase, and post is
coordinating a response to the Minister's request.



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Extradition, Child Custody


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3. (C) The Ambassador also urged the new government to submit
the bilateral extradition treaty to parliament for
ratification. Both agreed that a change in political
conditions since the time when it was rejected by the
Jordanian higher court could now lead to its acceptance. The
ambassador brought the draft child custody MOU to his
attention, which Bashir promised to review and comment on at
a later date.
GNEHM