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)

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SUMMARY
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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.

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SECRETARY'S ORAL MESSAGE DELIVERED

SIPDIS
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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.

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"A STEP FORWARD -- BUT WE HAVE CONCERNS"
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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.

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GNEHM