JORDANIAN REACTION TO UN RESOLUTION 1701

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 006151

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IS LE JO
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN REACTION TO UN RESOLUTION 1701

REF: AMMAN 5775

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


1. (U) SUMMARY: Although hopeful that UN resolution 1701 will
end hostilities, many Jordanians are skeptical of the general
impact of the resolution, citing Israel's continued ground
operations in southern Lebanon and air strikes on Beirut.
Mainstream press commentary views the resolution as the best
deal that could be made given the strong support that the
U.S. provides Israel. Prime Minister Bakhit told reporters
that the resolution was a "first step" to ending the
bloodshed; meanwhile, some editorialists are calling the
resolution a military and political victory for Hizballah.
END SUMMARY.

"THE RESOLUTION IS GOOD, BUT..."
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2. (SBU) Many of post's contacts outside the GoJ and
Jordanian editorialists are viewing the resolution as a good
deal for all parties. Several political observers, however,
complained to emboffs that the language of the resolution is
vague; they feared Israel would exploit the resolution's
wording to continue military operations. Suleiman Arabiyat,
President of Mu'tah University, told poloff he did not expect
Israel to keep "its part of the bargain," citing the
resolution's wording on offensive and defensive operations.
Dr. Mohammad al-Momani, professor of political science at
Yarmouk University, told poloff he was concerned that UN
forces operating in southern Lebanon under the resolution
would not be granted the powers needed to stop hostilities.
Meanwhile, the chief editor of the liberal daily Al Ghad,
Ayman Safadi, wrote that while the resolution is "not fair"
because it does not mandate the immediate withdrawal of
Israeli forces from Lebanon, it was the best possible deal
"in view of the unlimited support that the US is giving to
Israel."

"A MILITARY AND POLITICAL VICTORY"
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3. (U) Expressing a more confrontational view that we expect
Jordanian tabloids will echo, columnist Rakan Majali in the
pro-government, left-leaning daily Ad-Dustour wrote the
complete military victory (of Hizballah, sic) was not
translated into a conclusive political victory because
Israel, acting on behalf of America, has the international
balance of power in its favor. Majali added that Hizballah
has whetted the appetite of the Arab nation for victory and
that this confrontation has convinced Arabs to go back to the
military option as a means to achieve their goals.

FEAR OF A LEBANESE CIVIL WAR
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4. (SBU) Echoing a view we heard privately from establishment
figures in the early days of the fighting, but have heard
less of since, Dr. Bassam Kakiesh, a retired General and
former Ambassador to Israel, expressed concern to poloff that
Israeli forces would not be able to destroy all of
Hizballah's arms infrastructure. At the same time, he
predicted that if Israeli forces remained in Lebanon they
could ignite a civil war.

COMMENT
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5. (C) UNSCR 1701 led to a noticeable decline in the level of
public anger here against the U.S. (and against King Abdullah
for his alignment with us.) However, if hostilities -
especially Israeli airstrikes north of the Litani - continue,
we expect the letup to be short-lived.
Hale