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.

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