JORDANIAN ISLAMIST LEADERS CALL FOR POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 008225

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2013
TAGS: PGOV ECON KDEM KISL JO KTER
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN ISLAMIST LEADERS CALL FOR POLITICAL
REFORM; REJECT PRIVATIZATION AND PRICE HIKES

REF: A. AMMAN 07909

B. AMMAN 07507

C. AMMAN 07000

Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm for Reasons 1.5 (B,D)

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SUMMARY
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1. (U) In recent press interviews, the leaders of the Muslim
Brotherhood and the Islamic Action Front welcomed government
dialogue efforts, but warned that they would judge the
government by its actions, rather than its words. The
Islamists called for political reform, a new electoral law,
and a stronger Parliament free of government control, while
flatly rejecting privatization of state companies, tax hikes
and/or price increases. End Summary.

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MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD "OPTIMISTIC"
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2. (U) The "Controller General" of the Muslim Brotherhood
(MB) in Jordan, Abul Majed Dhneibat, gave an interview
published in the Arabic daily Al Rai on December 7. As noted
ref c, Prime Minister Faisal al-Fayez had earlier paid a
courtesy call on Dhneibat and met with members of the Islamic
Action Front (the MB's political wing) as part of his
wide-ranging efforts to establish dialogue with all sectors
of Jordanian society.


3. (U) In the interview, Dhneibat said that he was "hopeful"
about what he had heard from Fayez. "I am optimistic, not
pessimistic," stated Dhneibat. He commended Fayez as having
"an Islamic, Arab good nature" and of being "a good and
attentive listener." According to Dhneibat, the MB agreed
with the government's call for political development and
greater democracy (see ref b),and fully supported dialogue
"as a means of getting us out of the numerous dilemmas that
the previous governments have gotten us into with their
policies." Dhneibat further opined that dialogue should be
marked by "transparency and respect for someone else's
opinion."

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WORDS OF CAUTION
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4. (U) Dhneibat mixed cautionary statements in with his
conciliatory words. He said that it was "unfortunate" that
no Islamists had been appointed to the new Senate, and
claimed that this was "a negative indicator and one that is
not encouraging for political development." He also feared
that Islamist exclusion from the Senate was "part of a series
of links to drive out the Islamic movement in this country
despite the movement's obvious presence in the institutions
of civil society."


5. (U) While supporting talks with the government, Dhneibat
said that the MB "does not want a dialogue with no objective"
or one between "two deaf parties." Political dialogue had to
eventually result in change of the current one-person,
one-vote electoral system, as well as provisions of the
Municipalities Law providing for appointment, rather then
election, of city mayors and up to half of city council
members. He called on the government to begin implementing
Islamic law "gradually" as a way of "preserving the Arab,
Islamic identity and defending our homeland from the Zionist
grip that is threatening our future." Dhneibat further asked
that Jordan's trade unions/professional associations (which
are dominated by anti-normalizers) be given the right to
freely express themselves and engage in "political activity."


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PRIVATIZE AT YOUR PERIL
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6. (U) Claiming that Jordan's "strength and independence"
came from control of its "basic resources," particularly
potash and cement, Dhneibat flatly rejected privatization of
"strategic" state enterprises. "Encroaching on these
companies and selling them is considered to be an
encroachment on the nation's independence," said Dhneibat.

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IAF FLEXING ITS MUSCLES
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7. (U) In a separate interview published December 8 in the
Arabic daily al-Arab al-Yawm, IAF MP Azzam Al-Hnaidi (West
Banker, Amman - 2nd District) discussed IAF goals in
Parliament. Claiming that "the government clearly interfered
in the (Lower) House's work over the past period," Hnaidi
said that the IAF backed Abdul Hadi Majali for Speaker (see
ref a) after agreeing with him to strengthen Parliament's
"prestige" and "independence." According to Hnaidi, the IAF
reached agreement with Majali over "administration" of Lower
House sessions to better allow for discussion with ministers
of "the demands of their constituencies."


8. (U) Hnaidi said that Majali also agreed to help amend
current laws relating to "democracy, public liberties and the
people's tribulation," including the Electoral Law and the
Municipalities Law. He denied reaching any understanding on
HAMAS leaders deported from Jordan in 1999, saying, "We call
for their return, but HAMAS was not mentioned in the
agreement."


9. (U) Like Dhneibat, Hnaidi commended PM Fayez for his
efforts at dialogue and for having "an open mind toward all
the parties." But he added that, "What counts is what takes
place on the ground. The previous government began with big
(promises) . . but matters ran in the opposite direction.
Achievements will be the judge." Hnaidi welcomed further
government dialogue, but warned that talks had to be "a
two-way street" and that all agreements "should be
implemented and not remain ink on paper."

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"YES" TO BUDGET CUTS, "NO" TO PRICE HIKES
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10. (U) With respect to the economy, Hnaidi deemed the
retention of ministers from the former government's economic
team as "not an encouraging sign." He called for a specific
plan to reduce government expenses and cut the budget
deficit, but without imposing new taxes or increasing prices.
"We warn the government against the consequences of taking
any step that might raise prices or taxes," said Hnaidi,
claiming that Jordanians "can no longer bear an increase in
the price of any commodity." Hnaidi further stated that the
IAF would "strongly oppose the privatization of any big
company in Jordan," and would continue to fight against
privatizing the state phosphates company.

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COMMENT
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11. (C) Dhneibat's and Hnaidi's populist statements indicate
that the Islamists will not quietly accept being sidelined by
the new government. We can expect them to become vocal if,
after the current honeymoon period, PM Fayez fails to take
action on their most important agenda items. The Islamists
are also trying to bolster their standing amongst ordinary
Jordanians, many of whom are wary of their conservative
social views, by grabbing onto popular opposition against a
potential increase in commodity prices and/or the sales tax.

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