AMBASSADOR PRESSES JORDAN,S CHIEF OF ROYAL COURT

S E C R E T AMMAN 003363 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL JO SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESSES JORDAN,S CHIEF OF ROYAL COURT AND PRIME MINISTER ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION REF: AMMAN 3312 Classified By: R. STEPHEN BEECROFT, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (S) In meetings December 18 and 20, Ambassador followed up on his earlier discussion with the Foreign Minister (reftel) by separately pressing Chief of the Royal Court Nasser al-Lozi and Prime Minister Nader Dahabi to have Jordan recognize Kosovo. Both agreed that Jordan should and would recognize Kosovo, but asked for a few months before doing so. ¶2. (S) Royal Court Chief Lozi committed to recognition within the first quarter of 2009, explaining that Jordan wanted a few months to build at least partial regional support and provide cover for its action beyond the UAE's previous recognition. Jordan hoped to get at least one or two other Arab countries to also recognize Kosovo, he said. PM Dahabi agreed that Jordan would recognize Kosovo early next year and asked for time to persuade at least one other Arab state to join it. ¶3. (S) The Ambassador argued that the UAE's recognition had shattered any Arab League consensus and given Jordan more than enough cover to recognize. Fifty-three countries had now done so, including an Arab country and several majority Muslim countries. If Jordan wanted any credit for leadership, it needed to move now, not search for safety in even greater numbers. If Jordan acted, other Arab countries would likely follow suit and by doing so provide the support and cover Jordan was seeking. ¶4. (S) Lozi continued to plead for a few months. The PM, however, was encouraged by the UAE's recognition, a fact he had been unaware of, and agreed to consider more immediate action. Post will work to take advantage of the opening the PM has given and will press all relevant sides for rapid recognition. The Ambassador will also look for an opportunity to raise the issue with the King when he returns from travel to Oman. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman Beecroft