JORDAN SUPPORTS AGREEMENT ON IRAQI POLITICAL

S E C R E T AMMAN 007575 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2013 TAGS: PREL IZ JO SUBJECT: JORDAN SUPPORTS AGREEMENT ON IRAQI POLITICAL TRANSITION, BUT WORRIES ABOUT SECURITY REF: SECSTATE 321138 Classified By: Amb. Edward W. Gnehm for reasons 1.5 (b) (d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (S) The Ambassador delivered the Secretary's oral message on Iraq political transition to FonMin Muasher, who said Jordan would have no problem supporting it publicly. Muasher added, however, that Jordan wants to see rebuilding of Iraq's security infrastructure run in parallel with the political process, and does not want the June 2004 transfer of sovereignty to become an excuse for a U.S. withdrawal. END SUMMARY. -------------- SECRETARY'S ORAL MESSAGE DELIVERED SIPDIS -------------- ¶2. (S) Ambassador on October 19 delivered ref oral message from the Secretary to Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher. Muasher's Private Office Director Ali al-Ayed, MFA Legal Department Head Samer Naber, and PolCouns sat in. The Ambassador outlined the new CPA-IGC agreement, and asked that the GOJ express publicly support for the agreement. -------------- "A STEP FORWARD -- BUT WE HAVE CONCERNS" -------------- ¶3. (S) Muasher said the GOJ would have no problem publicly supporting the new agreement: "It is a step forward." However, he noted that Jordan has two main concerns. First, he hopes that there will be a real process to rebuild security in parallel with the political process. "Sovereignty without security" would be a big problem for Jordan. Second, the June transfer of sovereignty and dissolution of the CPA "should not be an excuse for withdrawal of U.S. forces." If this agreement makes it possible for U.S. and international forces to stay, that is good; if it is "just an exit strategy, we have a problem." ¶4. (S) The Ambassador assured Muasher that the U.S. is working to address both of Jordan's concerns. First, we have a clear strategy to develop Iraqi police, military, and security forces, and Jordan -- through police and military training -- is playing a key role in that plan. Second, the CPA-IGC agreement clearly states that the coalition will maintain substantial forces in Iraq even after transfer of sovereignty. 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