JORDANIAN VISITS TO WEST BANK STIR CONTROVERSY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 005007

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2014
TAGS: PGOV ASEC KPAL IS JO
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN VISITS TO WEST BANK STIR CONTROVERSY


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

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) The visit of two Jordanian delegations to the West
Bank earlier this month has fueled speculation among some
quarters about the GOJ's future role in the West Bank. On
June 2-3, a group of retired Jordanian generals conducted a
Track II related visit to Israel and the West Bank.
Separately, GOJ military and media representatives visited
two Jordanian field hospitals in the West Bank, and
inadvertently interacted with a member of the al-Aqsa
Martyr's Brigades in Janin. Misleading press reports about
the purpose of the visits and sensitivity about a future
Jordanian role in the West Bank may have prompted Interior
Minister Habashneh's public statement that the GOJ intended
only to support the Palestinians in rebuilding their
institutions. However, the Islamic opposition in Jordan (and
some Palestinians) are not convinced. End Summary.

-------------- --------------
VISITS RAISE SPECTER OF FUTURE JORDANIAN WEST BANK ROLE
-------------- --------------


2. (C) The visit of two Jordanian groups has raised the
issue of Jordan's future role in the West Bank. Retired Gen.
Mansour Abu Rashid, a decorated Jordanian general who now
chairs the pro-peace Amman Center for Peace and Development,
told PolOff on June 15 that he had led a group of retired
Jordanian generals to Israel on June 2-3 (as he has done
frequently in the past). During the visit, the group met
various Israeli military and political leaders, toured the
Jordan Valley, and viewed the separation barrier from both
the Israel and West Bank side. He said during the visit the
Jordanians offered suggestions of how to alleviate the
hardship on the Palestinian population. "As a military man,"
he told PolOff, "I support the wall, but on the 1967
borders." He said that the suffering of the Palestinian
population is palpable and not sustainable, but he believes
that the Israelis have workable plans in mind to ease passage
though the barrier, such as increasing the number of gates.


3. (C) Separately, Ali al-Ayed, the head of Foreign
Minister Muasher's private office, confirmed to PolCouns June
15 that a media group from the Armed Forces' public relations
office and Jordan TV had traveled to Jenin and Ramallah a
week later to tour Jordanian field hospitals to prepare a
news report. During the visit to Ramallah, the group
"interacted" with at least one member of the al-Aqsa Brigades
as reported in press reports, but the contact was
inadvertent, according to Ayed.

--------------
WHY ALL THE FUSS?
--------------


4. (C) The visits spurred a flurry of press reports about
the two groups' activities, some inaccurately suggesting that
both were official visits intended as fact-finding missions
to prepare for a future Jordanian role in the West Bank
(behind the back of the Palestinian Authority). The press
reports fueled suspicion in some quarters that the Jordanians
(at Israel and the U.S.'s behest) were contemplating a future
role in West Bank security or governance. For example, the
Islamic Action Front's mouthpiece (and largest circulation
weekly in Jordan) al-Sabil front-paged an editorial on June
15 voicing these concerns, suggesting that many Jordanians
did not believe GOJ explanations on the matter. The
editorial was accompanied by a lengthy news article
discussing the recent Jordanian visits to the West Bank.


5. (C) Although he acknowledged he could not speak to GOJ
intentions, Gen. Abu Rashid said that Jordanian involvement
in the West Bank is a highly sensitive issue on both sides of
the river, noting that most Palestinians in the West Bank
(and some in Jordan) strongly oppose a Jordanian presence
there. While they may accept Jordanian humanitarian
assistance, help in rebuilding institutions, and training of
security forces, most would strenuously oppose the physical
presence of Jordanian troops or police on West Bank land. He
said that Palestinians -- particularly those who only have
known life under occupation -- do not reminisce favorably
about Jordanian rule pre-1967. Many Palestinians would
perceive a Jordanian presence in the West Bank (as he
suspects the Israelis may want on some level) as if they are
trading one occupation for another, according to Abu Rashid.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


6. (C) The Jordanian visits to the West Bank were
completely routine, but the worried reactions were not.
Public discussion of an Egyptian security role in Gaza is
most likely making Jordanians and Palestinians
hyper-sensitive to any action that may imply that Jordan
seeks a similar direct role in the West Bank.

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