CEPPS PROJECT - SUPPORT FOR POLITICAL

UNCLAS AMMAN 008509

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA, NEA/PI;
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USAID
ANE/SPOTS; DCHA/DG; DCHA/DG/SAR; IFES
ABU DHABI FOR HWECHSLER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SCUL KPAO KMPI XF JO OXEC KEDU
SUBJECT: CEPPS PROJECT - SUPPORT FOR POLITICAL
PROCESSES-JORDAN

Ref: MWilliams DCHA/DG Email - Sept 10


1. Mission welcomes the subject proposal by IRI and
NDI under Consortium for Elections and Political
Process Strengthening (CEPPS) to be carried out in
Jordan between August 2004 and January 2006. We would,
however, like to highlight some political sensitivities
regarding assistance to and contact with individual
political parties. Our main concern is that USG support
should not create the public perception that we are
favoring any particular political faction. The CEPPS
activities should be as generic as possible and open in
principle to all parties and political activists, as
well as community leaders and other concerned
Jordanians who want to strengthen popular awareness and
engagement in the democratic process.


2. While most of the CEPPS project, as we understand
it, would be perceived in Jordan as generic and open to
all, we are concerned with the proposal (page 4, first
para under "Promoting More Responsive and Accountable
Political Parties") that IRI conduct "individual
consultations and trainings with the four or five most
viable political parties". We believe that such
targeted assistance could both hurt the participating
parties' public standing, given public hostility toward
US Policy, and be misinterpreted as United States
interference in domestic Jordanian politics.


3. Other proposed CEPPS activities, such as those
mentioned below, appear likely to be of use in
advancing political reform. Because they are not
targeted at particular groups, and potentially make
assistance available to any bona fide group that
approaches us, they are far less likely to provide
ammunition to anti-US and anti-MEPI voices. Most of
them closely complement ongoing Mission-supported
activities.

--NDI: Technical assistance and training resources to
active parliamentary blocs and their corresponding
political parties, working through the Permanent Bureau
of the Lower House of Parliament. Providing such
programs through the Permanent Bureau would mitigate
the impression of direct USG support for any particular
party.

--IRI: Periodic polling on Jordanian public opinion
towards political parties and governance. This
research would be useful, provided it does not
duplicate polls recently undertaken by organizations
such as the Center for Strategic Studies at Jordan
University.

--NDI: Women's forum on involvement in politics. This
generic, open-to-all program would complement the
Mission's speaker, IV and other programs aimed at
strengthening women's role in politics. In training
cadres for the 2007 elections, NDI should ensure that
such training is open to all candidates on a non-
partisan basis, and that all participants are supported
on an equal basis.

--IRI: Series of 12 workshops for youth and women on
political participation and the New Generation Mock
Parliaments. These activities would likewise
complement other Mission programs.

--IRI: Enhancing capacity of local elected officials.
The training and consultations for municipal councils
would complement other Mission programs aimed at
decentralization and responsiveness of local
government.


4. We look forward to coordinating closely with IRI,
NDI and MEPI offices on this project.