KING MEETS WITH PALESTINIAN LEADERS; JORDANIANS

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 009779 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2014 TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAL IS JO SUBJECT: KING MEETS WITH PALESTINIAN LEADERS; JORDANIANS WATCHING RUN-UP TO PALESTINIAN ELECTION WITH INTEREST REF: A. AMMAN 9210 ¶B. AMMAN 9437 Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) In the wake of Yasser Arafat's death and amidst preparations for the Palestinian elections, Jordanians are cautiously optimistic that a new window of opportunity now exists to move the peace process forward. The government of Jordan has pledged moral support for the upcoming vote, and announced it is "not opposed" to Palestinian residents in Jordan participating. King Abdullah told Palestinian leaders during a recent visit to Amman that Jordan would do what it could to encourage the international community to help create conditions conducive to free and fair elections. End Summary. -------------- JORDAN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR UPCOMING ELECTION -------------- ¶2. (U) Jordanians are guardedly optimistic that the smooth leadership transition after Arafat's death and pending elections are laying the groundwork to restart peace negotiations (ref a). King Abdullah offered moral support to a Palestinian delegation headed by Mahmoud Abbas during its recent visit to Amman, and he pledged that Jordan would press the international community to do what it could to help the Palestinians achieve a suitable environment for the voting process, according to Jordan's official news agency Petra. He reiterated Jordan's support for the road map as the only viable means for achieving a two-state solution. ¶3. (U) Meanwhile, GOJ spokesperson Asma Khader said that it is in the Palestinians' "interest" to invite international monitors to facilitate the elections, but noted that Jordan had not received any request from the Palestinian authorities to send election monitors. She also said that the GOJ is not opposed to Palestinian residents in Jordan participating in the election "in line with arrangements by the Palestinian Authority," adding: "Their status will be like any other non-Jordanians residing in the Kingdom. -------------- JORDANIANS WATCHING THE PROCESS CLOSELY -------------- ¶4. (C) Jordanians are watching developments in the Palestinian arena with interest, and anticipate an active and interesting race for the presidency. Ureib Rintawi, a Jordanian-Palestinian journalist who grew up in Wihdat refugee camp and now runs a prominent think-tank in Amman, told Poloff that he was very surprised that the Palestinian leadership transition went so smoothly. "Frankly, I expected things to be much more chaotic," he said. Referring to the recent fracas over Jordan's election law (ref b),he noted the irony of the fact that two neighbors in "complete upheaval" -- Iraqis and Palestinians -- could hold elections. Jordanians, he quipped, cannot even talk about electoral reform without a mini-crisis breaking out. ¶5. (C) Munib al-Masri, a Jordanian-Palestinian businessman who hails from Nablus, and one of the wealthiest private citizens in Jordan, told Poloff that he had seriously considered running for the presidency, but opted out to avoid taking votes away from Abu Mazen. He shared a copy of a letter stating his support for the Fatah leader, and expressed optimism that the election will open a new chapter for Palestinians who "just want a way out of this mess." -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (C) Jordan's ability to tangibly help the Palestinian election process is limited. Heavy Jordanian involvement opens the King up to criticism of meddling in Palestinian affairs by those who suspect Jordan's intentions. However, the GOJ will take its lead from the Palestinians, and will accommodate limited requests for help. The election process will be closely watched by activists pushing for political reform in Jordan, hopeful that a successful outcome will help spur action on electoral reform. ¶7. (U) Baghdad minimize considered. Please visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at http://www.state.sgov/p/nea/amman/ or access the site through the Department of State's SIPRNET home page. HALE