IRAQ, PEACE PROCESS, SYRIA DOMINATE LANTOS VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 007179

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL IS IZ SA SY JO
SUBJECT: IRAQ, PEACE PROCESS, SYRIA DOMINATE LANTOS VISIT
TO JORDAN

REF: A. DAMASCUS 4931

B. DAMASCUS 5039

Classified By: CDA David Hale for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) During separate meetings with King Abdullah, GID
Director General Sa'ad Kheir, and Foreign Minister Marwan
Muasher, in Amman on August 19, Congressman Tom Lantos
focused on the positive in Jordan and criticized leaders from
neighboring Arab countries. The Jordanians reiterated their
support for the Allawi government, but expressed their
growing concern about Iran's activities in Iraq. They
also expressed their frustration with the Palestinian
leadership but insisted that any Israeli withdrawal be
consistent with the roadmap. Syrian and Saudi border issues
also permeated the discussions, and Jordanian frustration
with Damascus was evident. END SUMMARY.

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CONCERNS IN IRAQ
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2. (C) During a series of meetings with CODEL Lantos on
August 19, Jordanian officials clearly stated their steadfast
support of the Iraqi Interim Government, but added that they
are watching developments in Iraq with great concern. GID
Director Kheir believed the situation in Iraq is
crystallizing and that conditions will improve even more
after the up-coming elections. He described his concern over
increased talk of factionalization between Sunni, Shiite and
Kurd. Kheir said that he will advise Allawi on his next visit
to Jordan to create another Deputy Prime Minister post and
appoint a Sunni to balance out the current DPM post occupied
by a Shiite. He also expressed concern over Iran,s role,
arguing that Tehran benefits from instability in Iraq. Kheir
called Sistani "an Iranian illegal immigrant in Iraq" and
maintained that he should not play a political role.

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FRUSTRATIONS WITH PALESTINIAN LEADERSHIP
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3. (C) Kheir expressed astonishment at the incompetence of PA
leadership. He noted that Prime Minister Sharon had told him
often that he has invited the Palestinian Prime Minister to
talk with him, but he has refused. Kheir hinted that this was
most likely a result of Arafat's refusal to authorize such a
meeting as it would diminish his stature. Kheir also
reiterated the King's complaint that PA leaders always blame
their Arab neighbors for their difficulties without admitting
fault themselves. In a separate meeting, FM Muasher also
stated that Arafat must turn over more power to the
Palestinian Authority in order for the peace process to move
forward. He insisted that the Gaza disengagement must be part
of a fuller Israeli withdrawal in accordance with the
roadmap, the ultimate objective being a Palestinian state in
the West Bank and Gaza.

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SYRIAN AND SAUDI BORDER SECURITY
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4. (C) Kheir highlighted the Syrian government's inability or
unwillingness to control its border with Iraq. He also told
Lantos that Syria was receiving arms from Iran to support
Hamas and Hizballah. Kheir also complained about the SARG,s
stubbornness on Syrian-Jordanian border issues. (See septel
on Jordanian PM Al-Fayez,s recent visit to Syria.) When
Lantos asked Muasher what kind of support the United States
could offer Jordan, Muasher replied that Jordan needs
additional military/border security aid. Muasher claimed that
the King feared that what had so far been dealt with behind
closed doors could eventually erupt into open confrontation
between Syria and Jordan. The King was clearly frustrated
with Syrian leadership, but he maintained that he still has
good relations with Bashar. He said that Bashar always said
the right thing but never followed it up with any action.


5. (C) Kheir also identified the Saudi-Iraqi border as a
source of infiltration into Iraq of arms and militants. As he
explained it, the Saudi government would prefer that these
elements enter into Iraq so that they are no longer a threat
to the Saudi regime. Kheir noted that the GOJ had trained
many Saudi security units, but he is not confident that the
Saudi security forces overall have the ability to meet the
internal threat confronting them.

6) (U) CODEL Lantos did not have an opportunity to clear this
cable.

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.

HALE