PRINCE FAISAL'S MEETING WITH SENATORS COCHRAN,

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003299

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG IR SY JO
SUBJECT: PRINCE FAISAL'S MEETING WITH SENATORS COCHRAN,
DODD, AND GREGG


Classified By: Classified By: AMBASSADOR DAVID HALE, FOR REASON
1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Senators Cochran, Dodd, and Gregg,
accompanied by Ambassador Hale, met April 19 with Prince
Faisal, who was serving as Regent on that day. Faisal
focused on Iran, Iraq, and Hamas' electoral victory. Faisal
expressed his appreciation for Congress's support, but
stressed Jordan will need continued assistance to face rising
oil prices and regional challenges. End Summary.

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Iran
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2. (C) Responding to Senator Dodd's query on how best to
engage Iran, Prince Faisal commented that Iran poses a long
term challenge to the region and described Iran as an octopus
with tentacles in many countries - tentacles that he'd like
to see cut off. President Ahmadinejad seemed to be looking
for a fight and had many cards to play - Hizballah, Hamas,
and "agents" in Syria, Israel- West Bank/Gaza, Egypt, and the
Sudan. He speculated that Shi'a could also destabilize
several Gulf countries if prompted by Tehran. The U.S. had
nothing to lose by engaging in a dialogue with Iran.
Discussing the prospect of military action against suspect
Iranian nuclear sites, Faisal speculated that even "surgical"
strikes against Iran would likely draw retaliation against
Israel. Faisal noted that Israel has an anti-ballistic
missile capability, but that Israel's Arab neighbors do not.

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Iraq
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3. (C) Prince Faisal described Iraq as a long term challenge,
adding that Jordan was committed to helping Iraq form a
stable government. Responding to Senator Cochran's questions
regarding the prospects for stability in Iraq, Faisal
responded that progress toward stability depended on the
formation of a national unity government. Faisal commented
that many Iraqis feel that the current government has no
legitimacy and for this reason there is infighting. Faisal
speculated, when asked to do so, that an early U.S.
withdrawal from Iraq would result in an implosion, civil war
and, eventually, three ethnic fiefdoms.

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Hamas
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4. (C) Faisal commented that Hamas was surprised by its
election victory. The peace process had slowed but was not
beyond repair; the U.S. and the international community
needed to focus on how to get Hamas to change into an
effective partner for peace.
HALE