Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04AMMAN7203
2004-08-28 15:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

FORUM FOR THE FUTURE - JORDAN WANTS MORE COMPANY

Tags:  PREL ECON KMPI JO UNGA 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 007203 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2014
TAGS: PREL ECON KMPI JO UNGA
SUBJECT: FORUM FOR THE FUTURE - JORDAN WANTS MORE COMPANY

REF: A. SECSTATE 177377

B. CAIRO 6248

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. David Hale, for reasons 1.4 b/d

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 007203

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2014
TAGS: PREL ECON KMPI JO UNGA
SUBJECT: FORUM FOR THE FUTURE - JORDAN WANTS MORE COMPANY

REF: A. SECSTATE 177377

B. CAIRO 6248

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. David Hale, for reasons 1.4 b/d


1. (C) Summary: FM Muasher says Jordan will attend the FFF
meetings September 23-24 in New York if Egypt or Saudi Arabia
are also there. End summary.


2. (C) A/DCM delivered reftel points, agenda and paper on
the G-8 Broader Middle East Initiative Forum for the Future
to Manar Dabbas of FM Muasher,s personal staff August 19. In
several subsequent conversations, Dabbas and other MFA staff
said Jordanian attendance would likely hinge on the
participation of either Egypt or Saudi Arabia.


3. (C) On August 25 Charge, accompanied by visiting NEA DAS
Elizabeth Dibble, urged FM Muasher to support and participate
in the FFF meetings. Muasher was fully briefed on the U.S.
request, and replied that, while Jordan strongly supports
reform in the region, it "can,t carry" the burden of reform
in the Arab world with only Bahrain and Yemen for partners.
It was becoming increasingly difficult for the GOJ to
publicly associate itself with an effort perceived by the
Arab public as "led by outsiders." Muasher was encouraged by
what he had heard about Egyptian ideas for a separate Arab
League meeting (ref b.) However, to commit Jordan now to
attending the FFF meetings in New York, he needed "at least"
Egypt or Saudi Arabia to also attend.


4. (C) Muasher also voiced concern about the FFF effort
"lumping together" the Arab world and other Muslim countries.
He urged the U.S. to encourage the other G-8 supporters of
reform to structure a separate effort for the non-Arab
participants.


5. (C) Comment: Without Egyptian or Saudi attendance, we
expect to have to appeal to a higher level to convince the
GOJ to attend the meetings planned for September 23-24.
HALE