JORDANIAN-KUWAITI RELATIONS: FROM "TERRIBLE TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001336 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EAID PINR KU JO SUBJECT: JORDANIAN-KUWAITI RELATIONS: FROM "TERRIBLE TO GREAT" Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Jordan's outgoing Ambassador to Kuwait told the Ambassador March 30 that Jordanian-Kuwaiti relations have progressed from "terrible to great" during his seven-year tenure. Some low level resentment due to the 1990 Iraqi invasion, however, lingers among some Jordanian parliamentarians. As a sign of improving relations, the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development recently agreed to finance two projects in the Hashemite Kingdom. Jordan also indirectly requested concessional oil from the GOK, but the Kuwaitis have not responded to date. End summary. Improving Bilateral Relations -------------- ¶2. (C) When Jordanian Ambassador Mohammad Al-Manfy Al-Kor'an arrived in Kuwait seven years ago, he found bilateral relations in a "terrible" state. (Note: Kuwait resented the Jordanian leadership's sympathy for Saddam during the 1990 invasion. End note.) In the beginning of his term, Jordanians were treated "worse than Saddam." While relations are now "great," Al-Kor'an mentioned that many MPs in the Jordanian parliament oppose stronger ties with Kuwait. The majority of MP opponents are Islamists, whom Al-Kor'an described as more moderate and careful than their Kuwaiti counterparts. ¶3. (C) As proof of improved bilateral relations, Al-Kor'an mentioned that the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development, the GOK's international development organization, will finance two projects in Jordan, the Fund's first foray into the Hashemite Kingdom. The Fund will provide low-interest loans for the construction of a power station ($68 million loan) and the King Abdullah Hospital. According to an English-language daily, Kuwaiti investment in Jordan totals more than $690 million, primarily in telecommunications, banking and tourism. Jordanians View Weak GOK -------------- ¶4. (C) The Jordanian government indirectly requested discounted oil from the GOK but has yet to receive a response. Al-Kor'an judged the GOK as too weak to secure approval of a discount oil package, currently a sensitive subject in Kuwait, from the National Assembly. He said that the deteriorating deference to the Al-Sabah family as the sole ruling power combined with the rise of Islamist political influence has weakened the GOK. Al-Kor'an's Next Move -------------- ¶5. (C) Outgoing Ambassador Al-Kor'an is to leave Kuwait within a month. Al-Kor'an said he will return to Amman and face three possible career options: head of "General Control" in the MFA, Ambassador or Undersecretary. Al-Kor'an prefers to serve again as an ambassador in North Africa where he served previously in Algeria and Tunisia. ********************************************* Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website ********************************************* LEBARON