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