Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08AMMAN3387
2008-12-28 15:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
JORDAN FM SUMMONS P5 AMBASSADORS TO PROTEST
how-toVZCZCXRO5586 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHAM #3387 3631530 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 281530Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4038 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0203 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0173 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC 0338
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003387
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2018
TAGS: PREL KPAL JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN FM SUMMONS P5 AMBASSADORS TO PROTEST
ISRAELI STRIKES ON GAZA
Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 b and d
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 003387
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2018
TAGS: PREL KPAL JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN FM SUMMONS P5 AMBASSADORS TO PROTEST
ISRAELI STRIKES ON GAZA
Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (C) Ambassador and the representatives of other P5
countries were summoned the afternoon of December 27 by
Jordan's Foreign Minister Salah Al-Bashir, who registered his
country's protest of Israel's "disproportionate" and
"indiscriminate" bombing in Gaza. Ambassador pointed out
that the strikes came in response to Hamas' many rocket and
mortar attacks and specifically targeted security compounds,
a point seconded--rather surprisingly--by the Russian
Ambassador. Bashir responded that the ambassadors should
watch the televised footage of the impact of the strikes,
asserting that the 160 casualties reported at the time of the
conversation were "way too much" and that the "Israelis were
over the top." Immediately following the meeting, in a
private conversation with Ambassador, Bashir expressed
concerns that the Israeli actions would put moderate Arab
states in difficult positions with their publics and with the
more militant states in the region, particularly at the
upcoming Arab League Ministerial.
2. (U) In reaction to the Gaza strikes, thousands of people
demonstrated in cities and refugee camps across Jordan on
December 27 and 28, according to press reports. Protests
were scheduled December 28 at universities in Amman, Zarqa,
and Irbid, and the Jordanian Professional Associations called
for a sit-in in front of the Egyptian Embassy. There were
also calls, including by a group of Jordanian MPs, to expel
the Israeli Ambassador and for Jordan and other Arab
countries to end diplomatic relations with Israel.
Beecroft
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2018
TAGS: PREL KPAL JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN FM SUMMONS P5 AMBASSADORS TO PROTEST
ISRAELI STRIKES ON GAZA
Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (C) Ambassador and the representatives of other P5
countries were summoned the afternoon of December 27 by
Jordan's Foreign Minister Salah Al-Bashir, who registered his
country's protest of Israel's "disproportionate" and
"indiscriminate" bombing in Gaza. Ambassador pointed out
that the strikes came in response to Hamas' many rocket and
mortar attacks and specifically targeted security compounds,
a point seconded--rather surprisingly--by the Russian
Ambassador. Bashir responded that the ambassadors should
watch the televised footage of the impact of the strikes,
asserting that the 160 casualties reported at the time of the
conversation were "way too much" and that the "Israelis were
over the top." Immediately following the meeting, in a
private conversation with Ambassador, Bashir expressed
concerns that the Israeli actions would put moderate Arab
states in difficult positions with their publics and with the
more militant states in the region, particularly at the
upcoming Arab League Ministerial.
2. (U) In reaction to the Gaza strikes, thousands of people
demonstrated in cities and refugee camps across Jordan on
December 27 and 28, according to press reports. Protests
were scheduled December 28 at universities in Amman, Zarqa,
and Irbid, and the Jordanian Professional Associations called
for a sit-in in front of the Egyptian Embassy. There were
also calls, including by a group of Jordanian MPs, to expel
the Israeli Ambassador and for Jordan and other Arab
countries to end diplomatic relations with Israel.
Beecroft