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. -------------- FRUSTRATION OVER PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI CONFLICT -------------- ¶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." -------------- IRAN A GROWING CONCERN IN IRAQ -------------- ¶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. -------------- -------------- SUPPORT FOR BMENA, BUT RESERVATIONS ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE -------------- -------------- ¶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!" -------------- SYRIAN ROLE IN LEBANON A "DISASTER" -------------- ¶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. -------------- MUASHER SEEKS HELP ON POLICY PLANNING -------------- ¶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. 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