JORDANIAN MPS ADDRESS IRAQI OIL BRIBES & PUBLIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001280

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KPAL PHUM IS IZ JO
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN MPS ADDRESS IRAQI OIL BRIBES & PUBLIC
ASSEMBLY LAW; POSSIBLE CABINET RESHUFFLE IN THE WORKS?

REF: A. AMMAN 00381


B. 03 AMMAN 08605

C. 03 AMMAN 06812

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

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) The Jordanian Parliament grappled in recent weeks
with a variety of political topics. In addition to debating
the government's proposed budget and controversial price
hikes (reported septel),the Parliament addressed allegations
of Iraqi oil "bribes" under Saddam Hussein, approved a
controversial provisional law regulating public gatherings,
and condemned the Israeli security wall and excavations near
the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Complaints by members of
Parliament directed at certain government ministers have led
to speculation of a possible Cabinet reshuffle. End Summary.


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FORMER SPEAKER RAGES AGAINST IRAQI OIL "SCANDAL"
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2. (U) Fourteen Amman-based firms and Jordanian citizens,
including former government officials and MPs, were included
in a long list published in the Iraqi media in late January
of individuals and organizations that supposedly received
contracts for the sale of Iraqi oil, allegedly in exchange
for political support of Saddam Hussein's regime. During a
Lower House session on January 28, former Speaker Saad Hayel
Srour (East Banker, Northern Badia) called for the government
to conduct an in-depth investigation of the allegations
against those Jordanians on the list. Private individuals
and firms should be investigated for possible tax evasion,
demanded Srour, while former government officials who used
their posts for personal gains from the alleged Iraqi oil
deal must be held fully accountable. In response to Srour's
statements, Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Halaiqa told the
Lower House that, "The issue is under follow-up, and we are
seeking to verify if some people have acquired (Iraqi)
graft."


3. (C) Despite Srour's demands for a full inquiry into the
alleged oil scandal, this does not appear to be a
"front-burner" issue for many MPs or for the government.
Abdullah Al-Jazi (East Banker, Southern Badia) told PolOff
that he and the other members of the conservative National
Reformist bloc -- the largest grouping in the Lower House --
did not consider these bribery allegations as a priority
item. He remarked that there were many more important issues
for the Lower House to focus on, especially since there was
no hard evidence to back the bribery claims and the former
officials in question were no longer in positions of real
influence. Other MPs outside the National Reformist bloc
have expressed similar opinions.

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WEIGHING SECURITY VS. PUBLIC FREEDOMS
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4. (U) On February 8, the Lower House of Parliament approved
the Public Assembly Law passed by the government of former
Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb in August 2001 while
Parliament was dissolved. Prior to the 2001 provisional law,
public assemblies were technically covered by a 1953 law
which, in theory, required organizers of public gatherings to
only "notify" government authorities of the event. The new
legislation, however, requires organizers to obtain official
permission from the provincial governor, whose decision
whether to grant such permission cannot be appealed.


5. (U) In a two-hour debate during which over 30 MPs voiced
their opinions, the provisional law encountered strong
criticism from several legislators. Azzam Huneidi (West
Banker, Amman-1st District) of the Islamic Action Front, for
example, charged that, "This is a very harmful law and will
lower the ceiling of public freedoms." Abdul Rahim Malhas
(East Banker, Amman-3rd District) and Rawhi Shahaltough (East
Banker, Amman-6th District) also decried the law as overly
restrictive and stormed out of the Lower House chamber in
protest prior to the vote when its approval appeared assured.
Prime Minister Faisal al-Fayez defended the legislation
saying the government was committed to freedoms highlighted
in King Abdullah's Speech from the Throne (see ref c),but
warned that "absolute freedom means chaos."


6. (U) After conclusion of debate, the law passed by an
overwhelming majority. Yet critics succeeded in pushing
through two minor amendments. First, the Lower House changed
the wording to require assembly organizers to obtain
permission 48 hours prior to the planned event, rather than
72 hours. Second, while the 2001 law directed governors to
use "force" to disperse a gathering if it deviates from its
approved purpose, the amendment authorizes governors to use
"whatever measures they see fit to break up the assembly."

7. (C) MP Malhas told PolOff February 10 that he had left
the Lower House in protest because he wanted no part in the
vote to approve this "major step away from public freedoms,"
which he said should have been called "the Law to Prevent
Public Assembly." According to Malhas, despite official
statements promising greater freedom of expression, the
government had apparently made a strategic choice to place
security concerns above calls for political development.
Malhas also expressed disappointment that the Islamic Action
Front (IAF) -- after several statements criticizing the law
-- had voted to approve it, albeit reluctantly. He opined
that contrary to popular perception, the IAF was "fully part
of the system" and that the government and the Islamists used
each other to their own advantage. While the IAF sought to
maximize its popularity on the street, it carefully chose its
battles in the Parliament so as not to overly alienate the
government or the Palace.

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MPs LASH OUT AGAINST ISRAEL
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8. (U) During Lower House discussions on "unscheduled
topics," the Israeli security barrier in the West Bank came
under heavy verbal fire from numerous MPs. MP Younes Jamra
(West Banker, Irbid-1st District) proposed a "national day of
solidarity with the Palestinian people in their fight against
the wall" to coincide with the start of oral arguments before
the International Court of Justice on the barrier's legality.
On February 17, 85 MPs signed and presented a memorandum to
the House Speaker condemning Israeli excavations around the
Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem which allegedly caused the
collapse of a structure near the mosque on February 15. "We
call on the government to intervene with Arab and friendly
countries to stop (Israel) from invading the sanctity of Al
Aqsa Mosque," stated the memorandum which was initiated by
independent MP Khalil Attiyeh (West Banker, Amman-1st
District).

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CABINET RESHUFFLE?
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9. (C) As noted ref b, several ministers in the current
Cabinet have been the targets of criticism both within and
outside the Chamber of Deputies. Hazem Al-Nasser, the
Minister of Water & Irrigation, confided to the Ambassador
recently that the government might have to contemplate a
change in Cabinet ministers to assure the "survival" of Prime
Minister Fayez and cement his relations with Parliament.
While he did not make any firm predictions, Nasser named the
following ministers as most vulnerable: Bassem Awadallah
(Minister of Planning & International Cooperation),Asma
Khader (Government Spokesperson),Amal Al-Farhan (Minister of
Municipal Affairs),and Said Darwazeh (Minister of Health).
With the exception of Darwazeh, we have heard numerous barbs
directed at these ministers from MPs and government insiders.
However, conversations with several MPs indicate that most
do not expect -- or even want -- a Cabinet reshuffle at this
point.

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COMMENT
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10. (C) Both the government and Parliament are continuing to
define their roles after the legislature's two-year hiatus.
The issue of alleged Iraqi oil bribes demonstrates that even
one vocal and determined MP can bring issues to public
attention. Given the general lack of interest in pursuing
this particular matter, however, it is doubtful whether a
serious investigation will be mounted. The debate on the
public assembly law likewise shows that emboldened MPs can
denounce and modify legislation they find objectionable,
although at the end of the day the government can count on a
majority in the Lower House to approve most of its proposed
laws. The talk of contemplation of a Cabinet reshuffle
indicates that some in the government are learning that they
must listen to parliamentary opinion if the government wishes
to push through its agenda while maintaining its political
capital.

Please visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ or through the
Department of State's SIPRNET site.
GNEHM