JORDAN SEEKS SECSTATE ATTENDANCE AT OECD/BMENA

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000786

SIPDIS

FOR S/ES-S, NEA/ELA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2010
TAGS: PREL KDEM JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN SEEKS SECSTATE ATTENDANCE AT OECD/BMENA
EVENT

REF: STATE 18151

Classified By: Charge David Hale, Reasons 1.4 (B) & (D)


1. (C) Foreign Minister al-Mulki telephoned Charge on
February 1 with a request from the King. He asked that
consideration be given to even the briefest of appearances by
the Secretary at the Dead Sea OECD/BMENA meeting on Good
Governance for Development, February 6-7. He noted that all
other delegations are represented at the ministerial level,
and that Prime Ministers from Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, and
Mauritania are reportedly attending. Foreign Ministers will
represent most other Arab states. The Jordanians see this as
an ideal opportunity to combine the Secretary's focus in
Jerusalem on the peace process with engagement and
encouragement of the reform initiative. Conversely, they are
concerned that non-cabinet level participation will leave the
misleading impression that the U.S. is no longer fully
committed to the regional reform agenda.


2. (C) Mulki said a one-hour drop in from Jerusalem would
allow sufficient time for an appearance at the meeting and a
bilateral with the King. Charge pointed out considerations
which had made a Jordan stop not possible this time, but
promised to convey this request.
HALE