GOJ REVERSES COURSE AND RECOGNIZES GREEK PATRIARCH

UNCLAS AMMAN 002538 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV SOCI KWBG JO IS SUBJECT: GOJ REVERSES COURSE AND RECOGNIZES GREEK PATRIARCH THEOPHILOS III REF: A. AMMAN 2305 ¶B. AMMAN 2241 ¶C. ATHENS 1021 ¶D. JERUSALEM 225 ¶1. (U) A month-long disagreement between the Government of Jordan and the Greek Orthodox Church ended on June 12. Local media reported that the GOJ reversed its May 12 decision to withdraw recognition of Patriarch Theophilos III of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem (ref b). At a June 12 press conference, Government Spokesman Nasser Judeh explained that "the cabinet has become convinced that Theophilos has honored all the commitments he undertook when he was appointed as patriarch in 2005." ¶2. (U) The cabinet's decision came after Theophilos wrote two letters to Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit, and issued a statement confirming that no church lands were sold under his tenure. The decision was announced just in advance of a June 12 visit to Amman by Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis. ¶3. (SBU) Dr. Raouf Abu Jaber, Chairman of the Orthodox Society in Amman, told poloff that the Arab Orthodox community was displeased with Theophilos' leadership and news of the GOJ reversal. Abu Jaber said that Arab Orthodox Christians resent the lack of Arab - specifically Jordanian - membership in the Holy Synod and Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher (ref A). He accused the Greek Government of exerting pressure on the GOJ and the Palestinian Authority to recognize Theophilos. Abu Jaber remains convinced that "the monks in Greece" - as he refers to the Holy Synod -- care only about the profits they make from the church's lands in Jerusalem. COMMENT: In fact, Jordan's Arab Orthodox community is split into pro- and anti-Theophilos camps. END COMMENT. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ Hale