NATIONAL AGENDA COMMITTEE MOVES FORWARD

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 002378

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2015
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KMPI JO
SUBJECT: NATIONAL AGENDA COMMITTEE MOVES FORWARD

REF: A. AMMAN 2043

B. AMMAN 1309

Classified By: Charge Christopher Henzel for Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) The royal committee charged with drafting a "national
agenda" is reportedly on track to complete a final report in
September. Committee members have divided their work into 11
separate subjects and established outside working groups that
include experts and non-government representatives.
Discussion on electoral reform and women's rights will,
however, remain within the committee. Contentious debate has
erupted at times between traditionalists, who argue for
limited change, and those who advocate a real overhaul of the
status quo. The recommendations in the September report will
be used to draft "action plans" for each government ministry,
along with implementing legislation, with progress on
concrete benchmarks and timetables monitored by the
Government Performance Unit under Deputy PM Marwan Muasher.
Sustained support from the palace and ensuing governments
will be needed if the national agenda project is to have
lasting impact. End Summary.

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OFF THE GROUND
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2. (C) Poloffs met March 20 with Ashraf Zeitoon, personal
staffer to Deputy PM and Minister for Government Performance
Marwan Muasher. Zeitoon explained that after a relatively
slow start (ref B),the 26-member Steering Committee named by
the palace in February (and overseen by Muasher) to establish
a "national agenda" was now fully active. Meeting once a
week, normally on Saturday, the committee had divided its
work into 11 separate subject groupings (e.g., investment,
education, employment, etc.) and formed eight different
working groups, each comprised of more than 20 experts and
private citizens, to examine these subjects. Based on the
findings of the working groups and conclusions of committee
members, the committee will prepare a comprehensive report in
September that will include specific goals in each subject
area along with concrete measures needed to achieve them.
Zeitoon said the report would also include recommendations
for the drafting of needed implementing legislation.


3. (C) To ensure that the final committee report will not
collect dust, Zeitoon said it will be used as the basis for
drafting detailed "action plans" for each government ministry
that will incorporate specific benchmarks and timetables.
The Government Performance Unit (GPU) - a branch of Muasher's
new Ministry for Government Performance -- will closely track
progress on each plan and hold ministers accountable.
Meanwhile, another branch of the ministry, the Government
Communications Unit, will help publicize and "market" the
national agenda to the Jordanian public, which he
characterized as being in a foul mood over perceived stagnant
or declining living standards. Zeitoon explained that the
committee report will also heavily influence future
government budgets. For example, if the report emphasizes
the need for more government investment in education, funds
allocated for education would increase accordingly. Zeitoon
cautioned, however, not to expect immediate results. The
national agenda will be a long-term planning document guiding
Jordan's development over the next ten years, while action
plans will likely take at least several months to draft and
finalize during 2006.

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CANDID CONVERSATIONS
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4. (C) According to Zeitoon, discussion among Steering
Committee members has been candid and, at times, contentious.
Outspoken advocates for reform during past meetings include
former Minister of Planning Bassem Awadallah, UNDP Assistant
Secretary-General Rima Khalaf, Director of the Center for

SIPDIS
Strategic Studies Mustafa Hamarneh, and Islamic Centrist
Party member and women's activist Nawal Faouri. Zeitoon
contrasted these voices with some traditionalist members who
"just don't get it" and who resist broad reforms on the
grounds that Jordan has "already changed enough." (NOTE:
Zeitoon did not mention the names of such traditionalists,
but did say they included members appointed from Parliament.
END NOTE.) He also said that Abd al-Latif Arabiyat of the
Islamic Action Front (IAF) had played a surprisingly
constructive role to date. Zeitoon was confident that the
strong pro-reform advocates would prevail and produce a final
report recommending real, not incremental, change.


5. (C) When asked about political reform, specifically a
proposed new elections law and legislation on women's rights,
Zeitoon responded that these topics had not been delegated to
a working group for study. Rather, the members of the
Steering Committee had chosen to examine these more
controversial items themselves. While the September report
would include recommendations for what should be included in
political reform legislation, the actual drafting of the laws
would be left to the government. Consequently, a new
elections law might not be ready for debate in parliament
until 2006.

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THE INDOMITABLE DR. MUASHER
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6. (C) Zeitoon praised the work of Deputy PM Muasher in
overseeing the work of the Steering Committee and his ideas
for achieving reform. While Muasher does not officially
"chair" the committee, he is reportedly active in keeping its
work focused and reminding members of the King's expectations
for their work. Muasher's role in the royal decentralization
committee, in contrast, was more that of an observer whose
main task was to ensure that the two committees were not
pursuing divergent agendas. Zeitoon said that King Abdullah
had asked Muasher to fly to Washington, D.C. last week after
PM al-Fayez became ill to help present and explain Jordan's
reform agenda, both on Capitol Hill and in meetings with NGOs
and businesses. (NOTE: Zeitoon hinted that Muasher could be
moving on from the GOJ by the end of the year, while he
himself will be assuming a new position next month in the
royal court. END NOTE.)

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COMMENT
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7. (C) The national agenda process is still in its early
stages and the bulk of the committee's work remains to be
done. Committee member and women's activist Nadia Bushnaq
told poloff March 21 that she was cautiously optimistic about
the progress made so far, but was unsure of the final outcome
-- noting that the key is implementing changes, not just
coming up with recommendations. Zeitoon acknowledged public
skepticism about "yet another commission," but insists this
project will be different. The ultimate success of the
national agenda will depend on a strong and sustained
commitment by the palace, and by ensuing governments, during
the coming years to carry out recommended reforms and to
match identified priorities with commensurate funds.
HENZEL