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) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶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. -------------- --- FORMER SPEAKER RAGES AGAINST IRAQI OIL "SCANDAL" -------------- --- ¶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. -------------- WEIGHING SECURITY VS. PUBLIC FREEDOMS -------------- ¶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. -------------- MPs LASH OUT AGAINST ISRAEL -------------- ¶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). -------------- CABINET RESHUFFLE? -------------- ¶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. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶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