MUASHER MEETING WITH S/P DIRECTOR REISS: PEACE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 007360

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV IS KPAL JO
SUBJECT: MUASHER MEETING WITH S/P DIRECTOR REISS: PEACE
PROCESS, IRAQ, AND REFORM

REF: AMMAN 7202

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


1. (C) Summary: FM Muasher expressed his frustration with
the stalemate in the peace process, calling the Palestinians
"unhelpful." Jordan is committed to helping Iraq stabilize,
but Muasher noted the GOJ's growing concern about Iran's
intentions in Iraq. He criticized Syria's "negative" impact
on regional issues. Muasher expressed support for the G-8
reform initiative, but repeated Jordan's reservations.
Muasher expressed appreciation for Ambassador Reiss'
readiness to assist in creating a policy planning office in
the MFA. End Summary.

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FRUSTRATION OVER PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI CONFLICT
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2. (C) During a meeting on August 31, Foreign Minister
Muasher told S/P Director Mitchell Reiss, Deputy Director
Barry Lowenkron, S/P member Charles Dunne, and Charge that
the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains the front-burner
issue for Jordan. He emphasized that for Jordan, there is
only one acceptable solution: the establishment of a
Palestinian state. The GOJ wants a stronger commitment from
Israel that the end game is a viable Palestinian state.
Noting the Palestinians have been "unhelpful," Muasher
lamented that Arafat's personal status has become more
important to him than achieving a state. The King will not
shy away from criticism of either side if he thinks it
appropriate because "time is not on our side."


3. (C) Muasher noted that Jordan is taking a back seat to
Egyptian efforts on three fronts: pressuring Arafat ("Arafat
doesn't listen to us"); helping Palestinian factions reach a
security arrangement to end suicide bombings; and encouraging
Israel to abandon objectionable policies, such as targeted
killings and home demolitions. Muasher says Cairo should be
out in front because the Gaza withdrawal plan is of paramount
concern to Egyptian interests. However, the Gaza withdrawal
must not be an end in and of itself; a pull out from the West
Bank must follow in accordance with commitments outlined in
the roadmap. Muasher's frustration was evident: "After
pushing so hard for the roadmap, we feel we can't do much at
this point. We are just waiting for something to
happen...I've never been so frustrated."

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IRAN A GROWING CONCERN IN IRAQ
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4. (C) Muasher told Ambassador Reiss that Jordan is fully
supportive of Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi and helping to
rebuild Iraq. Allawi's is the "best government that ever
could be under these circumstances," adding that Jordan is
working to build a long-term relationship with its eastern
neighbor. He said Jordan is already seeing results on the
trade front, and is doing its best to help with Iraq's
security through training its police officers. However, the
security situation is paramount. He said Jordan is extremely
worried about Iran's intentions: "It is clear to us that they
will use democracy once to bring the Shi'a to power in Iraq."
This, he predicts, is a recipe for civil war in Iraq. "We
think you should do more to prevent this," he told Ambassador
Reiss. While it is important to have majority rule, it is
equally important to have minority rights. The Shi'a, he
claims, only consider the first part of the equation
important, according to Muasher.

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SUPPORT FOR BMENA, BUT RESERVATIONS ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE
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5. (C) Muasher said that the GOJ is taking a "serious
approach" towards reform in Jordan and regionally, noting
Jordan's significant role in pushing for a commitment on
reform at the recent Arab league meeting in Tunis. He said
Jordan does not want to stop at mere declarations, however.
Muasher mentioned that Jordan will host a meeting in December
with six Arab countries to discuss judicial reform. Noting
Jordan's intention to participate in the New York meeting
later this month to discuss the Forum of the Future, he feels
that "we are on the same page" about regional reform.
However, while many gaps have been bridged, Jordan still has
problems with how the "Broader Middle East" has been defined.
"You can talk to whoever you want," he said, "but we don't
see how we can get together with Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Among the Arab states, we already have many mechanisms
through which to work," but there is too little in common
with countries beyond the Arab world, he said.


6. (C) Muasher cautioned that the U.S. must give serious
thought at how the initiative will proceed to ensure momentum
is not lost. Muasher said it would be of "major help" if the
U.S. could successfully convince the Egyptians to
participate. He said Cairo's attitude towards reform had
improved, and believed it a good first step that they are
willing to commit in name, at least. Alluding to Egypt,
Muasher also advised the U.S. to consider linking reform
progress to aid. He said it is a point the GOJ has also
reinforced with the EU, who he claims gives more aid to Syria
than it does to Jordan, and "the Syrians are doing nothing!"


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SYRIAN ROLE IN LEBANON A "DISASTER"
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7. (C) Asked for an assessment of Syria, Muasher told
Ambassador Reiss that Syria had taken a "negative" role on
all issues of importance to Jordan, including Iraq, the peace
process, and reform. Indeed, the Syrians are not helping
themselves in these matters, and what they are doing in
Lebanon to extend President Lahoud's term is a "disaster,"
according to Muasher. He noted that Lahoud takes no
positions independent of Damascus, and this is working
against the popular will in Lebanon. He said that while King
Abdullah maintains a positive personal relationship with
Bashar al-Asad (sic),the GOJ sees the Syrian President as
weak.

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MUASHER SEEKS HELP ON POLICY PLANNING
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8. (C) Muasher sought Ambassador Reiss' advice for
developing policy planning office in the Foreign Ministry.
Lamenting that a lack of human resources is the main
stumbling block, he asked for Ambassador Reiss' suggestions
of how to get started. Ambassador Reiss said it is important
for any such office to have complete independence, but to
have good relations with other bureaus, including the
research department. Muasher expressed appreciation for
Ambassador Reiss' offer of technical assistance in this
regard and willingness to meet with GOJ representatives in
Washington for further discussions on this topic.


9. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.

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HALE