KING REAFFIRMS 2007 ELECTIONS CALENDAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 000971

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KISL JO
SUBJECT: KING REAFFIRMS 2007 ELECTIONS CALENDAR


Classified By: CDA Daniel Rubinstein for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (SBU) King Abdullah publicly reiterated his support for
GOJ plans to hold parliamentary elections late this year,
preceded by municipal elections in mid-2007. In an interview
with Jordanian television March 2, the King repeated previous
statements of his desire to see the two elections take place
this year. The statement, recorded shortly before the King
left on his current visit to Britain and the U.S., was likely
aimed at both domestic and Western audiences. Within Jordan,
some observers believed that fears of Islamist electoral
gains would prompt the King to use his constitutional
authority to extend the current parliament's term, and amend
the municipal government reform bill with similar motives.


2. (C) The King told Ambassador last week that parliamentary
elections would take place Sunday, October 21. However, the
GOJ has not yet announced this date.


3. (C) Parliament will likely complete its current session
before the end of March. The GOJ could call parliament back
for a special session before its term expires June 21, but
palace officials recently told Ambassador they currently do
not plan to do so.


4. (SBU) Recent developments in parliament (septel) also
track with a mid-2007 time frame for municipal polls.
RUBINSTEIN