A/S SILVERBERG'S MEETING AT JORDANIAN FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 000932 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV SY IZ IS JO UN UNHRC UNHRC SUBJECT: A/S SILVERBERG'S MEETING AT JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY REF: A. AMMAN 568 ¶B. STATE 4745 ¶C. STATE 4746 Classified By: CDA DANIEL RUBINSTEIN FOR REASONS 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations Affairs Kristen Silverberg met with MFA Secretary General Nabih Shuqom January 17. Discussions SIPDIS focused on the formation of the new Human Rights Council, the UN Peacekeeping Commission, and Syria. Jordanian participants included Ambassador Abd al Latif al Bowab from the Foreign Ministry's International Organizations Department, Ambassador Ziad al Majali, from the foreign Ministry's Human Rights Department, and Bisher al Khasawneh, the executive director of the Foreign Ministry's legal department. The A/S was joined in the meeting by DCM and poloff. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ¶2. (C) A/S Silverberg said the establishment of a Human Rights Council was a high priority for the U.S. She asked Jordan to support efforts to require new members of the council to gain an endorsement from two thirds of the members of the General Assembly. Noting that Jordan,s PermRep, Prince Zeid, is well respected, she asked that he speak out in support of the Human Rights Council. Secretary General Shuqom responded that Jordan was always open to new ideas, especially given the U.S. - Jordan relationship. Bowab expressed concern about proposed requirements for membership on the new council, especially for those countries with poor human rights records. A/S Silverberg responded that countries that have proven themselves unwilling to engage on human rights issues are left off the council. The U.S. proposes that any government that was not under UNSC sanctions for human rights violations and that received two thirds of the General Assembly,s votes would be eligible, she said. ¶3. (C) Legal adviser Bisher al Khasawaneh asked if sanctions imposed on a country other than human rights abuses would prohibit a country from becoming a council member. A/S Silverberg answered that, under the U.S. proposal, only those countries under sanctions for human rights abuses or terrorism would be prohibited. Responding to queries from Khasawneh, A/S Silverberg said that both NGOs and individuals would be able to lodge complaints with a new Council, and that there would be no permanent members of the new council. Shukom asked what would happen to a country that didn't abide by the resolutions of a new Council. A/S Silverberg replied that the Council's resolutions would set international standards; they would not be binding. Ambassador Bowab then asked where negotiations on the Council's establishment currently stood. A/S Silverberg responded that negotiations currently focused on the size of the new Council, and on how often the Council should convene. PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION ¶4. (C) Ambassador Bowab then turned the conversation to the Peacebuilding Commission, and asked why it was established and if there were any financial obligations associated with it. A/S Silverberg replied that there were no financial obligations, but that a voluntary fund did exist. She explained that the Commission's role was to guide UNSC decisions and to assist in the coordination of UN agencies' activities. Bowab responded that Jordan would like to have more power to ensure the safety and protection of its forces serving in peacekeeping roles, and that Jordan was worried about its forces in Ethiopia and Eritrea, noting that Jordan had recently lost two men in Haiti. A/S Silverberg thanked Shuqom and Bowab for Jordan,s contributions to peacekeeping efforts, and asked about Jordan's plans for the Haiti PKO, noting that the U.S. hopes that Jordanian peacekeeping forces will remain. Shuqom responded that Jordan will continue to serve in peacekeeping roles but seeks U.S. assistance. SYRIA ¶5. (C) Shuqom said that Jordan wants the Syria problem solved peacefully and solutions imposed on Syria would not work. Shuqom added that Jordan doesn't want to see Syrian security problems spilling over the border, and that the right environment for a solution needs to be created. Shuqom commented that sanctions will not work and that Jordan would not like to see them imposed on Syria. A/S Silverberg asked if Shuqom thought Syria was headed towards reform. Shuqom answered by saying he'd like to see the SARG cooperate and deal with the Security Council and the UN. Jordan had told the Syrians not to meddle in Lebanon's affairs, underlining that this is a principle of the Arab League Charter. Shuqom mentioned that even Syria saw Iraq's invasion of Kuwait as a violation of this principle. Shuqom closed by saying that when Bashar took power in Syria the GOJ offered him assistance and advice, but, Shuqom added, advice is not always taken. Rubinstein