ALLAWI HAS PRODUCTIVE VISIT TO JORDAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 006173 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2014 TAGS: PREL IZ JO SUBJECT: ALLAWI HAS PRODUCTIVE VISIT TO JORDAN Classified By: CDA David Hale for reasons 1.5 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Jordan FM Marwan Muasher told A/S Bloomfield and Charge July 19 that the then-ongoing visit of Iraqi Interim Government (IIG) Prime Minister Allawi was proceeding positively. Both sides showed a clear political will to establish solid, positive bilateral relations and to resolve any outstanding problems. King Abdullah told the media that he supported Allawi and the IIG, and that security in Iraq was "integral" to Jordan's security. He reaffirmed Jordan's determination to continue aiding the Iraqis. The King and Allawi also discussed reviving economic and trade cooperation, particularly in the oil sector (septel). Jordan's Islamists denounced the visit of the U.S. "puppet." End Summary. ¶2. (C) Jordan FM Marwan Muasher told A/S Bloomfield and Charge July 19 that the on-going visit of IIG PM Allawi demonstrated there was political will on both sides to have positive relations. Following an initial private meeting between the two PMs, and then a meeting of the full delegations, Ministers broke down into side meetings to solve problems. These included the Planning, Finance, Interior, Energy, and Health Ministers as well as the Central Bank Governors. Among the topics for discussion were improving border procedures, resuming oil imports, and building a new Iraq-Jordan pipeline (details septel). The two sides agreed to establish a bilateral Higher Commission, chaired at the PM level. Its first session is set to be held in three months' time. ¶3. (U) Official GOJ reaction to Allawi's visit was positive. The King reaffirmed Jordan's support for Iraq and Allawi and said security in Iraq was "integral to Jordan's security." Press reports also said the King and Allawi discussed reviving economic and trade cooperation, particularly in the oil sector (septel). One op-ed called the visit a "victory for Jordanian diplomacy" and called upon the government to begin looking to generate greater public support for the government's positive relations with the IIG. Another commentator noted positively the apparent strength of the bilateral relationship, to the point that even a Chalabi-led Iraq would probably pursue good ties with Jordan. Contrasting the positive GOJ statements, local media reported the Islamic Action Front's (IAF) criticism of the visit, with the IAF calling on the GOJ to not provide any aid or assistance to Allawi, who it characterized as a U.S. "puppet." ¶4. (U) Jordan television carried an interview with Allawi July 20. Allawi said that talks with King Abdullah and PM al-Fayez focused on developing bilateral ties and economic cooperation. He also said that security and unemployment are the two challenges facing Iraq at the present and that part of his tour aimed at discussing border issues, terrorism, and the movement of terrorists from "one place to another." ¶5. (U) Iraqi contacts in Jordan said the visit was a good step toward improving Jordan-Iraq ties. They believed it would help solidify IIG credibility in Jordan and the region. However, they were quick to point out a need to resolve on-going Jordan-Iraq border issues as a step toward restoring security in Iraq. ¶6. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 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. HALE