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
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HALE