POSITIVE JORDANIAN REACTION TO G-8 REFORM PLAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 004230

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KDEM PHUM PGOV JO
SUBJECT: POSITIVE JORDANIAN REACTION TO G-8 REFORM PLAN
TEMPERED BY REGIONAL TURMOIL

REF: A. SECSTATE 106755


B. AMMAN 03227

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SUMMARY
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1. (U) Embassy Amman has continued its consultations with
Jordanian government officials and civil society leaders on
the G-8 reform plan (refs). Feedback has been constructive,
highlighting weaknesses of the civil society movement and
Jordanian government strictures that could affect reform
initiatives in Jordan. Contacts also offered ideas to
strengthen the specifics of the G-8 plan. However, our
interlocutors continue to emphasize that regional turmoil and
related growing anti-U.S. sentiment will make it nearly
impossible for the proposals to gain traction unless people
perceive substantial improvement in the Iraq and Palestinian
situations. End Summary.

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WEAK NGOS AN ISSUE
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2. (U) Several civil society leaders told us that it would
behoove G-8 reform planners to develop a mechanism to prevent
recalcitrant government officials from slowing the pace of
progress or stifling initiatives by civil society because
they fear criticism or encroachment on what they see as their
prerogatives.


3. (U) Our contacts worry that obstacles currently facing
civil society organizations in Jordan could adversely impact
implementation of the plan's ideas. In Jordan, complicated
procedures make it nearly impossible for new organizations to
register with the government. The inclusion of government
officials on their boards compromise their independence and
undermine credibility with citizens. They say that NGOs are
generally unable to raise funds and many of their
administrators lack organizational and communication skills,
and resources (e.g. computers and other communications
equipment) needed to mobilize constituents.


4. (U) They note that civic organizations tend to run into
cultural barriers when they try to raise funds from private
individuals locally. One activist complained that for years
foreign donors have refused to give money for infrastructure
or training of the civic organizations themselves, dictating
that their money instead be used for specific activities,
such as holding conferences. They urged more
capacity-building for NGOs, whether in the form of training
or outright financial support or donations of office
equipment, for example, that would in turn strengthen the
groundwork in Jordan for implementation of the G-8 plan. To
avoid local NGOs becoming "addicted" to foreign funding, one
activist suggested that holding workshops on private
fundraising or relying on volunteers will help ensure that
new organizations are solidly rooted in their communities.

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CHALLENGE IS TO IDENTIFY, BOLSTER TRUE REFORMERS
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5. (U) One contact noted that until now the public has had
two bad choices: fundamentalism and corrupt secular leaders.
It is important that the G-8 reform plan help strengthen the
"third alternative" -- reformers. Along this vein, activists
say there is a strong need for civic organizations to
cooperate with independent media so they can reinforce each
others' independence and monitor corruption in the public and
private sector.

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LOOKING FOR AN EXPANDED "FORUM OF THE FUTURE"
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6. (U) Activists reacted favorably to the Forum for the
Future, but say there should be parallel meetings for civic
organizations combined with plenaries through which NGOs and
other independent forces in the region could provide input to
the Forum's deliberations and recommendations for action.


7. (U) One contact in the Prime Minister's office (who
acknowledged her bias since she may soon assume the role of
assistant to Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa in
Cairo) made a pitch for inviting the Arab League Secretary
General to the Forum's meetings as an observer. She says
this coordination may help bolster the League's role in
advocating reform in the Arab world beyond mere declarations
and recommendations.

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DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE GROUP COULD CONNECT REGIONAL REFORMERS
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8. (U) The NGO representatives liked the idea of a
Democracy Assistance Group that could serve as a
clearinghouse for information, enable reformers to share
"lessons learned," and assist them in developing joint
activities. Above all, they saw a need for regional
coordination and dialogue in facing common challenges among
Arab countries. At present, one NGO activists said, there
are too many people "flying off in different directions," and
not benefiting from each others' experiences or avoiding
duplication of efforts.


9. (U) The official from the PM's office argued for a
mechanism to coordinate the various components of the G-8
plan, such as the Democracy Assistance Group and the Forum
for the Future. As plans move forward, it will become
important that each group has the opportunity to hear about
and discuss the others' plans and accomplishments. As an
aside, FM Muasher told the Ambassador he was pleased the
"Foundation for Democracy" idea had fallen by the wayside
because he thought it would have been negatively perceived as
a "watch dog" organization to impose Western-style ideas on
the region.

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SUPPORTING FREE AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS KEY
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10. (U) There was widespread agreement that outside
assistance is needed to monitor elections in the region,
either through support and training for the media, or through
technical assistance to the election organizers themselves.

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TRAINING IS VITAL, BUT DON'T FORGET RETIRED MILITARY
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11. (U) The Prime Ministry official noted that training the
various groups mentioned -- including teachers, youth,
judges, and women -- is vital. However, she believes that
one important group is missing: retired military and other
government personnel. She said that the majority of them are
still young, disciplined, qualified, and seeking jobs.
Reaching out to this group will help the credibility of the
programs in Arab societies.

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ANTI-U.S. SENTIMENT, VIOLENCE WILL HINDER PROGRESS
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12. (U) Our interlocutors are increasingly concerned that
the poisoned political atmosphere stemming from the festering
Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Abu Ghreib prison scandal, and
ongoing violence in Iraq is a growing stumbling block to
implementing badly needed reform plans in the region. Not
only does it provide an excuse to reluctant governments to
delay movement on reform but it also reinforces the public's
perception that the U.S. (under the guise of the G-8) is
pushing reform as a means to distract people from the "real"
issues in the region. For this reason, it also makes it
difficult for reformers to speak out publicly on issues, at a
time when such dialogue is badly needed.

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