JORDANIAN FM TELLS AMB JONES HE WILL VISIT IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003022

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2015
TAGS: PREL IZ JO
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN FM TELLS AMB JONES HE WILL VISIT IRAQ


Classified By: CDA David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) See action request para 5.

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Summary
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2. (C) Newly appointed Jordanian Foreign Minister Farouq
Qasrawi told Senior Advisor and Coordinator for Iraq Policy
Richard Jones April 12 that he will work to improve relations
with Iraq and is ready to visit Baghdad to congratulate the
new Iraqi government. Qasrawi supports the idea of a U.S.-EU
sponsored conference to be held in June in Brussels for the
Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG) to present its vision of
a new Iraq. Qasrawi will continue to engage Iraqi Sunnis to
participate in the political process. End Summary.

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Ready to go to Iraq
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3. (C) During an April 12 meeting, FM Qasrawi complemented
the comprehensive agenda for Iraq as presented by Ambassador
Jones and said that he would work to improve Jordan-Iraq
relations. Qasrawi expressed a strong desire to expand
Jordanian dialogue with Iraq and claimed he was ready to go
to Baghdad to congratulate the new government once it was
formed. Qasrawi listed the many areas of cooperation between
the two countries, including police and military training.

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Support for U.S.-EU Conference
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4. (C) Qasrawi expressed his support for a U.S.-EU sponsored
conference in Brussels where the ITG would present its vision
of a new Iraq to the international community. He felt it was
important that the Iraqis form a government as soon as
possible and draft a constitution according to the current
timetable. Ambassador Nabih Shuqom - attending the meeting as
Chief of the American and European Desk at the Foreign
Ministry - half jokingly interjected that perhaps it would be
better if the constitution were not ratified. Shuqom noted
that, under the TAL, new elections could then be held in
which the Sunni Arabs would, he hoped, participate. Jones
quickly emphasized that the time delay created by any type of
postponement would likely be filled with more violence.
Qasrawi agreed with Jones and reiterated his support for
producing a constitution by the current deadline. He promised
that Jordan would continue to engage with Iraqi Sunni Arabs
to encourage them to participate in the political process,
particularly drafting the constitution.

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Comment and Action Request
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5. (C) On only his third day as Foreign Minister, Qasrawi
showed his willingness to accommodate by leaving his first
cabinet meeting early to meet with Ambassador Jones'
delegation. Unlike previous foreign ministers, Qasrawi
surrounded himself with staff during the meeting, though this
may reflect his lack of time to come fully up to speed on
Iraq given his recent appointment. Jones met separately with
Royal Court Minister Marwan Muasher, who also reiterated
Jordan's support for efforts to encourage responsible Sunni
figures to enter the political process. He also expressed
support for the U.S.-EU conference. Action Request: Jordan
has been a proposed venue for a May or June Iraq donor
conference. Depending on timing of the Brussels meeting, we
may need to suggest a brief delay in the Jordanians' plans.
Please advise.


6. (U) This message was cleared by Ambassador Jones.


7. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.

HALE