MFA ON RUSSIAN-JORDANIAN TIES AND CHECHNYA

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 000517 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL JO RS SUBJECT: MFA ON RUSSIAN-JORDANIAN TIES AND CHECHNYA REF: A. MOSCOW 390 ¶B. 07 MOSCOW 5734 Classified By: Political M/C Alice G. Wells for reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) MFA Jordan Desk Officer Andrey Vavilov explained that Jordan's position as a moderate Arab state, and the growing ties between Jordanians of Chechen descent and Chechnya contributed to Russian-Jordanian relations. Speaking to us following King Abdullah's February 11 Moscow visit, Vavilov said that these factors, combined with the Jordanian monarch's personal diplomacy, have been important aspects of improved bilateral ties (ref A). The GOR sees in the King a moderate Arab leader seeking to reduce tensions between Muslim states and the West, an ostensible goal of GOR diplomatic efforts. Abdullah has been receptive to the GOR's desire to play a constructive role in "bridging the divide between Christians and Muslims." Vavilov said Abdullah's calls for religious tolerance were similar to Russian initiatives such as the Dialogue of Civilizations, which the King publicly praised as a means to lessen international tension and reduce the threat of terrorism. ¶2. (C) Vavilov told us that Chechnya could play a greater part in Russian-Jordanian relations as ties between Jordan's significant Chechen population and the Russian republic increased. The Jordanian leadership understood the importance Moscow placed on improving the situation in Chechnya, and the Kremlin valued Jordanian assistance in this area. Although King Abdullah did not visit Chechnya as he reportedly said he would when Chechen President Kadyrov went to Jordan in 2007, the King's brother, Prince Ali, met Kadyrov in Moscow on February 11 (ref B). Vavilov said that a delegation of business leaders from Jordan's Chechen community planned to visit Chechnya in 2008 to explore ways to assist reconstruction and development efforts. ¶3. (C) Finally, Vavilov understood that Jordan was particularly interested in attracting Russian investment in the development of the country's tourism industry and hoped to become a destination for Russian visitors. In order to raise its profile, Jordan gave Russia property on the bank of the Jordan River associated with Jesus' baptism during Putin's 2007 visit to the country. The site was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, which is building a facility for Russian pilgrims. Vavilov compared this gesture to the UAE giving Russia property upon which to build an Orthodox Church when Putin visited that country in 2007, and said that both were well calibrated to appeal to Putin's embrace of the Church and demonstrate that an increased Russian presence in the region was welcomed. BURNS