DEMARCHE IN ADVANCE OF ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 002217

SIPDIS

STATE ALSO FOR PRM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2015
TAGS: PREL KPAL SY LE IZ JO ICRC
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE IN ADVANCE OF ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT

REF: A. STATE 45505


B. CAIRO 1759

C. AMMAN 1945

D. AMMAN 1651

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES CHRISTOPHER HENZEL. REASON: 1.4 (B)


1. (C) CDA made ref A points March 16 to Foreign Ministry
Secretary General Abdullah Madadha (FM Mulki and his private

SIPDIS
office staff are in the U.S. with King Abdullah.)

-- On Syria/Lebanon, Madadha said Jordan would continue to
press for immediate Syrian withdrawal, and would also use the
opportunity of meetings on the margins of the upcoming Arab
League summit to reiterate this point to the SARG. Madadha
noted some Arab governments have criticized Jordan for
publicly taking too hard a line on Syrian withdrawal, an
apparent reference to Egypt (ref B). He said the GOJ,s
public position would be in keeping with recent public
statements by FM Mulki and the King. (In a March 15
interview with ABC News anchor Peter Jennings, King Abdullah
said that the Syrians "obviously have a problem with the
international community" with respect to UNSCR 1559, and that
he hoped for a full and "smooth" Syrian withdrawal.)

-- On Israeli-Palestinian affairs, Madadha said the GOJ would
continue to urge other Arab governments to expand or restore
official ties with Israel.

-- On Iraq, Madadha said the GOJ would support efforts at the
summit to welcome the Transitional National Assembly, and
quickly recognize a transitional government.


2. (SBU) On the issue of admitting Magen David Adom (MDA) to
the International Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, Madadha
agreed the current regional environment presented an
opportunity to revisit the issue. He said he would convey to
the Jordanian mission in Geneva a recommendation that it urge
the Swiss to convene a new international conference.
HENZEL