BACKLASH AGAINST CAPTURE OF SADDAM HUSSEIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 008454

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/24/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ JO
SUBJECT: BACKLASH AGAINST CAPTURE OF SADDAM HUSSEIN

REF: AMMAN 08196

Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm for Reasons 1.5 (b),(d)

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) Although many Jordanians received the news of Saddam
Hussein's capture with satisfaction or ambivalence (see ref),
there has been some recent backlash against his arrest and
perceived treatment by U.S. forces. A majority of members of
Parliament denounced the "mean and humiliating" manner of
Saddam's capture and the broadcast of "humiliating footage of
a former Arab president," but made clear that their views did
not reflect support or opposition to the policies of Saddam
himself. A demonstration in the city of Irbid called for
Saddam's release, and Jordan's Bar Association formed a legal
"defense panel" for Iraq's "legitimate president." These
moves are more indicative of opposition to U.S. policy and
the occupation of Iraq than genuine support for the former
Iraqi dictator. End Summary.

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MPs DECRY SADDAM'S "HUMILIATION"
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2. (U) Sixty-five of the 110 members of the Lower House of
Parliament lent their names to a statement released to the
press December 20 that condemned the manner of Saddam
Hussein's arrest, describing it as "mean and humiliating."
The statement denounced the airing of television footage and
photographs of Saddam following his capture as "a humiliation
to the states and the people of the region." The legislators
further condemned the occupation of Iraq as part of a "wider
Zionist plan," called for the U.S. to withdraw its forces
from the Middle East, and urged the GOJ to press the U.S. to
transfer control of Iraq to the Iraqi people as soon as
possible.


3. (U) The MPs' statement did not, however, express direct
support for Saddam or call for his release from custody.
Rather, it said that the MPs objected to Saddam's treatment
by his captors "regardless of whether we agree with him or
oppose him."


4. (U) According to the Arabic press, the statement was
primarily the handiwork of MPs Mahmoud Kharabsheh (East
Banker, Balqa) and Khalil Ateyeh (West Banker, Amman - 1st
District). During the debate in Parliament prior to a vote
of confidence in the government of Prime Minister Faisal
al-Fayez, the head of the Democratic Alliance bloc, Mamdouh
Abbadi (East Banker, Amman - 3rd District) drew a round of
applause when he saluted the Iraqi resistance and Saddam
Hussein. He called Saddam "a true hero who fought until the
last minute."

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TAKING IT TO THE STREET
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5. (C) A demonstration was held December 21 in the northern
city of Irbid which, according to organizers, was to "show
solidarity" with Saddam and to demand his freedom. The
Arabic press reported that there were "hundreds" of
participants in the peaceful demonstration who waved pictures
of Saddam and condemned U.S. occupation of Iraq, as well as
the "shameful silence" of Arab governments. Post has been
unable to confirm the true size of the protest and it is
likely that a number of demonstrators were "placed" there to
keep an eye on the situation.

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"OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR!"
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6. (U) The Jordanian Bar Association placed an advertisement
December 20 in the press announcing the formation of a
"defense panel" for Saddam, "the legitimate president of Iraq
who was subjected, along with Iraq and the people of Iraq, to
an armed robbery by the occupation troops." Over 300
attorneys have allegedly volunteered for the panel.


7. (U) The decision to create a defense panel was
spearheaded by the outspoken head of the Bar Association,
Hussein Mujali. When asked about the celebrations in Iraq
following Saddam's capture, Mujali had told reporters, "In
any country there are opportunists...I will not be surprised
if all we have seen on TV showing the jubilance of the Iraqi
population is a cheap Hollywood-style act played out and
directed by American intelligence."

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COMMENT
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8. (C) The mild backlash against Saddam's capture has more
to do with local politicians' self-aggrandizement than any
real depth of public support for the former dictator, or
genuine desire to see Saddam return to power. His arrest,
however, provides an opportunity for local politicians and
opposition leaders to tap into the very real unpopularity of
U.S. regional policies, which continue to be perceived as
inattentive to Arab interests.


9. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.

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