KING ABDULLAH ON IRAQ, MEPP, SAUDI ARABIA WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000401

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2014
TAGS: PREL PTER KPAL IS SA IZ JO
SUBJECT: KING ABDULLAH ON IRAQ, MEPP, SAUDI ARABIA WITH
SENATE STAFFDEL

Classified By: Ambassador Edward Gnehm for reason 1.5d

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Summary
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1. (C) King Abdullah addressed his concerns on Iraq, the
Palestinian-Israeli peace process and Saudi Arabia in a
meeting with Staffdel Nordquist on January 13. The King
voiced concerns over the U.S. timetable in Iraq, in-fighting
in the Palestinian Prime Ministry, and extremists in Saudi
Arabia. End Summary.

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Iraq
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2. (C) King Abdullah asked that the U.S. be "realistic" in
assessing its planned timetable in Iraq leading to a transfer
of sovereignty by July 2004. He feared that this timetable
and an early withdrawal of U.S. forces may increase
instability. He believed that the U.S. has a "false sense of
security" in the south, while shi'a are quietly organizing
for the future. In addressing the issue of Iraqi leadership,
he was not convinced that the Iraq Governing Council (IGC) is
working in the best interests for the future and that some
IGC members are serving for personal reasons. He described
the prospects for liberal democracy as a "bit unrealistic"
and reiterated his desire to see Iraqi police trained and
serving in Iraq as quickly as possible.

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Israel/Palestine
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3. (C) The King described Jordan's current strategy in the
peace process as "damage control". He criticized PM Qurai
for the in-fighting in the PNA. He said that Sharon wants
peace and a Palestinian state but criticized Sharon's
delaying tactics. The GOJ's role is to "push the envelope"
to strengthen PM Qurai to make negotiations more even-handed.
He believes that President Bush is engaged but needs
something tangible to work with.

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Saudi Arabia
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4. (C) The King expressed deep concern over extremism in
Saudi Arabia and questioned whether the Gulf states could
handle instability there. He characterized Crown Prince
Abdullah as very sincere in his efforts to combat extremists,
but said the extremists are better-organized and have the
sympathy of the majority of the population. He wondered if
the recent assassination attempt against a Saudi intel
service head was the "next stage of confrontation" and if the
situation could deteriorate into open rebellion or civil war.
He pledged his continued support for the Crown Prince.

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More on Israel/Palestine and Iraq
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5. (C) In separate meetings, House Speaker Abd al-Hadi Majali
told the Senate staffers that the U.S. is to blame for
injustice in the peace process, and that he did not
understand why the Isrealis have the "full backing" of the
U.S. in building "the wall". Senate President Rifai seconded
the King's desire to have Iraqi police serving in Iraq and
Majali's criticism of the security wall in Israel.

Visit Embassy Amman's classified website at

http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/

or access the site through the State Department's SIPRNET
home page.
GNEHM