DEMARCHE ON JORDANIAN PROPOSAL TO HOST IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 010314 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ JO SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON JORDANIAN PROPOSAL TO HOST IRAQ NEIGHBORS' CONFERENCE REF: SECSTATE 275109 Classified By: CDA David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Charge delivered reftel points to Foreign Minister Hani al-Mulki on December 30. Mulki said he was very pleased to hear the message. He reiterated that the GOJ is in "total agreement" that encouraging Sunni participation in the elections is a key goal. He said the conference is in line with the discussions between King Abdullah and President Bush during their recent meeting in Washington. Mulki promised to keep us apprised of developments regarding the conference. ¶2. (U) During a press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi after they met in Amman on December 29, Mulki announced that Jordan had sent invitations to the neighboring countries for the conference, and emphasized the importance of encouraging Iraqis to participate in the elections. ¶3. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. HALE