Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06AMMAN8909
2006-12-14 15:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
SENATOR NELSON'S MEETING WITH JORDANIAN FM KHATIB
how-toVZCZCXRO5340 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHAM #8909/01 3481535 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141535Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6145 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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)
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
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