DEMARCHE TO JORDAN ON UNRWA RESOLUTION IN UNGA:

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 007329

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2013
TAGS: PREL KPAL IS JO UNGA UNRWA
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO JORDAN ON UNRWA RESOLUTION IN UNGA:
JORDAN SEEK USG POSITION ON PALESTINIAN RESOLUTIONS

REF: STATE 311971

Classified By: DCM David M. Hale for reasons 1.5 (b) (d)


1. (C) PolCouns delivered ref points and a copy of the
latest U.S. draft UNGA UNRWA resolution November 9 to Ali
al-Ayed, Director of Foreign Minister Muasher's office, and
Samer Naber, Head of the MFA Legal Department. PolCouns
thanked Ayed and Naber for Jordan's positive role in the
discussions thus far in New York, and asked for Jordan's
continued assistance. He also asked that Jordan vote for the
U.S.-proposed resolution, even if it means passing five UNRWA
resolutions.


2. (C) Ayed and Naber said that Jordan supports the U.S.
goal of consolidating UNRWA resolutions and is pleased with
the progress made thus far in discussions and the cooperative
attitude shown by all sides. Jordan's highest priority in
these discussions, they continued, is to make sure that the
rights of those persons displaced during the 1967 war are
enshrined in the UNRWA resolution. Given that Jordan has a
very large Palestinian refugee population, they argued,
Jordan must make sure that the rights of this population are
protected.


3. (C) Naber described the four Palestinian draft
resolutions as "at times excessive" in their references to
issues -- like the Fourth Geneva Convention -- that are
adequately covered elsewhere. Ayed and Naber asked whether
the USG would support, oppose, or abstain on each of the four
Palestinian drafts. U.S. support (or lack of opposition)
would make it easier to garner support for the U.S.
resolution, they argued. They promised to discuss the issue
further internally and respond before the vote on November 11.

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COMMENT
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4. (C) The Jordanians were clearly hoping to hear that the
USG could support -- or at least abstain on -- some or all of
the Palestinian drafts. This would make it much easier for
Jordan to support the U.S. consolidated resolution. Please
advise how we should respond to this question.

Visit the U.S. Visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at

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

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GNEHM