SENIOR INTERACTION WITH SYRIAN OFFICIALS

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008910 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2016 TAGS: PREL SY JO SUBJECT: SENIOR INTERACTION WITH SYRIAN OFFICIALS REF: STATE 197800 Classified By: Ambassador David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Polcouns made reftel points to Thamer Adwan, director of the Foreign Minister's private office, on December 14. Adwan observed that Jordan agreed it was important to avoid the appearance of excusing the SARG for its negative policies, and added he would find it hard to imagine King Abdullah meeting with Bashar Al-Asad under current circumstances. He pointed out, however, that "as neighbors" it was necessary to continue "technical" engagement on a broad array of issues, including in the context of the long-standing Syria-Jordan joint ministerial committee. ¶2. (C) Ambassador has discussed this issue with the King and his key advisors who wholeheartedly support our strategy of isolation of Syria. They are dismayed by the British, Germans, and others who have seen fit to send emissaries to Asad, where their presence is easily exploited by the Syrian regime. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ HALE