SENATOR NELSON'S MEETING WITH JORDANIAN FM KHATIB

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 008909 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2006 TAGS: PREL JO SY IZ LE IS KWBG IR SUBJECT: SENATOR NELSON'S MEETING WITH JORDANIAN FM KHATIB REF: AMMAN 8745 Classified By: Classified by Ambassador David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and his delegation met with Foreign Minister Abdelilah Al-Khatib December 13. Discussions focused on Nelson's meeting earlier that day with Bashar al-Asad, the situation in Lebanon, Iran, the Baker-Hamilton Report, and the Jordan International Police Training Center (JIPTC). The Senator was joined in the meeting by AMB and poloff (note-taker). -------------- Syria -------------- ¶2. (C) Senator Nelson told FM Khatib about his meeting earlier in the day with Syrian President Asad in Damascus. Despite "sharp disagreements" on some issues, Nelson described the meeting as cordial and a "crack in the door" for U.S.-Syria relations. Nelson reported that Asad praised him for his "bravery" in coming to Syria. ¶3. (C) Nelson told Khatib that Asad wants to cooperate with the American and/or Iraqi militaries on controlling the Iraq-Syria border. Nelson said he told Asad that the U.S. had a common interest with Syria in opening a pipeline between Kirkuk and the Mediterranean. However, the Senator reported his sharp disagreement with the Syrian president over support for the Siniora government and the roles of Hizballah and Hamas in the region. Finally, Nelson said he and Asad discussed the status of the Israeli soldiers captured in July. Nelson suggested that Asad facilitate their return as a goodwill gesture. According to Nelson, Asad responded only, "Israel has 20 Syrian soldiers." ¶4. (C) FM Khatib responded that he feels contact at some level with Syria is very important, but that Syria should stay out of Palestinian and Lebanese affairs. Khatib also said that Jordan seeks increased engagement with Damascus, citing Khalid Mesha'al's alleged efforts at controlling Hamas from Syria. The FM said he would welcome better SARG cooperation with the U.S. and Iraq on controlling Syria,s eastern border, and mentioned including Syria in an upcoming Iraq neighbors' conference. NOTE: FM Khatib's statements regarding engagement with the SARG do not accurately reflect the Jordanian leadership's stance on this issue as set by King Abdullah, which remains strongly in favor of isolating Bashar al-Asad, not engaging him. END NOTE. -------------- Iran -------------- ¶5. (C) Nelson recounted his discussion with Asad on Iran, during which he warned the Syrian president that a nuclearized Iran is a threat to the Arab world. Khatib responded that Iran's influence in Iraq has "not been good," and expressed fear that the Iranians may use Iraq as a "bargaining chip." -------------- Lebanon -------------- ¶6. (C) The Senator told Khatib that he would be flying to Lebanon the following morning, where he would meet with Saad Hariri and PM Siniora. Nelson said it was a priority for him to communicate to Asad during their meeting how strongly he supported Siniora. Nelson said Asad reiterated his disagreement with the Senator's support for the Siniora government. With regard to Hariri, Asad said only "he must be very affected by losing his father." Asad denied any complicity in the assassination. Khatib told Nelson that he had met with Siniora within the last week (reftel),and found him "impressive and engaged." He also stated how important it was for the U.S. to continue to encourage and support Siniora. Concerning Syria,s role in Lebanon, Khatib said "we disagree with those who disagree with you." -------------- Grateful for JIPTC -------------- ¶7. (C) With JIPTC soon to graduate its last Iraqi police cadet and nearing the end of the mission originally planned for it, Nelson thanked Khatib for the GOJ's cooperation and support for the program. In response to Nelson's inquiry about the future of JIPTC, the Ambassador said discussions were underway inside the USG and with the Iraqi government for keeping it open for a range of possible new uses, including smaller, specialized Iraq training programs, police AMMAN 00008909 002 OF 002 training for Palestinians, Jordanians, or other regional customers. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ HALE