Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05AMMAN44
2005-01-03 14:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

JORDANIAN DELEGATION TO MONITOR PALESTINIAN

Tags:  PGOV PREL KPAL IS JO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

031459Z Jan 05
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000044 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAL IS JO
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN DELEGATION TO MONITOR PALESTINIAN
ELECTIONS; PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR ISRAELI FM VISIT

REF: 04 TEL AVIV 06651

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000044

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAL IS JO
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN DELEGATION TO MONITOR PALESTINIAN
ELECTIONS; PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR ISRAELI FM VISIT

REF: 04 TEL AVIV 06651

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


1. (C) Summary. Jordan's FM, in coordination with Egypt,
is looking for ways to return an ambassador to Tel Aviv this
month. Silvan Shalom may visit Amman as early as January 12.
Contradicting a previous announcement, Jordan is sending a
mixed public/private sector delegation to help monitor the
Palestinian election. End Summary.


2. (C) A Jordanian delegation headed by Senator Abdul Salam
al-Majali will leave Amman on January 4 for the West Bank to
observe Palestinian elections on January 9. According to
Auda Abu Tayeh of the Foreign Minister's Private Office, the
delegation is comprised of a several private and public
individuals, including Interior Ministry Secretary General
Mukhaimer Abu Jamous, the newly-appointed Director of the
Department of Palestinian Affairs Wajih Azayzeh, and
columnist Sultan Hattab (an East Banker known for his
nationalist views). He noted that a former university
president and other members of Parliament also would
participate. Abu Tayeh said he was surprised at the
announcement that a delegation would be sent; as of last week
his understanding was there would be no Jordanian observers.
(Note: Indeed, the GOJ spokesperson said as much during a
press conference last week, despite an official invitation
from the Palestinian Charge in Amman.)


3. (C) Abu Tayeh also confirmed that preparations are
underway for a possible visit by Israeli Foreign Minister
Silvan Shalom. He said the date was not yet set, but if it
proceeds it likely will closely follow the Palestinian
elections. He cautioned that "a lot can change between now
and then," however, given the volatile regional situation.
(Note: Local press reports indicated that Shalom will visit
Jordan on January 12.) Abu Tayeh said specifics of Shalom's
agenda were still being worked out, but he was unaware of the
Israelis' interest in another Aqaba conference (ref).


4. (C) Meanwhile, Jordanian press quoted unnamed Jordanian
"political sources" as saying that at the time of Shalom's
visit, a number of Jordanian prisoners in Israel would be
released. The sources ruled out that the four accused of
killing Israelis before the peace treaty will be among those
set free. Meanwhile, Jordan's newly-appointed Charge
d'Affaires to Tel Aviv, Ali al-Ayed, arrived in Israel on
January 2 to assume his new post. Foreign Minister al-Mulki
has discussed with Charge his contacts with the Egyptians
about coordinating the return of their ambassadors to Tel
Aviv. Mulki said both states wish to make the move quickly
after the Palestinian election, as that will be the most
favorable moment. He said the Egyptians would like to have
the initiative come from Abu Mazen, however, with a
post-election statement to the effect that the Palestinian
cause would be better served if Egypt and Jordan were engaged
with Israel with resident ambassadors. Mulki acknowledged
that Jordan had "boxed itself in" by insisting publicly on a
prisoner release as a precondition; he was searching for some
unspecified face saving way for Jordan to get around this
self-imposed obstacle.


5. (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